HEEELLLPPP!!! What is this part on the end of my drive shaft.

[410Fortune]

how many miles on this 04 rwd?
You said it is not "pulling very well" meaning you are having shifting issues or a slipping transmission?

I am trying to determine if the noise is from the back of the engine or from your transmission
I am leaning towards a transmission issue especially if the engine runs smoothly without any shaking or power issues

 

[MoekKing]

Sound advice here

Ok. So i got back under it last night n took the inspection plate off. But while i was under there i put my hand up on the starter n its actually loose. Like the bolts that hold it on werent tightened up all the way, but then it started pouring dwn rain so i had to go in. Im going to put the plate back on and tighten those bolts n see if that stops the noise. Wish me luck.

 

[MoekKing]

how many miles on this 04 rwd?
You said it is not "pulling very well" meaning you are having shifting issues or a slipping transmission?

I am trying to determine if the noise is from the back of the engine or from your transmission
I am leaning towards a transmission issue especially if the engine runs smoothly without any shaking or power issues

Its got abt 289,000 miles on it but ive had no shifting problems, no slipping, no shuddering ever. It wld drop into gear from park but when i put the new u joints on that was fixed.

 

[410Fortune]

And now?

 

[MoekKing]

And now?

And now i still got the same noise. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!! I took the inspection plate off and theres not alot of room to see anything but i saw the flywheel. And the 2 bolts on it i cld see didnt look loose and when i pushed on tge flywheel it didnt seem to wiggle. But if im being completely honest n i find thats best when i looked in and cld see the gear on the end of the starter shaft wiggle when i moved the starter i suppose i got over zelous and jst knew if i tightened it up it wld make the noise stop. I was sadly mistaken. So im down to listen to any and all advice on my situation bcuz im at a stand still. Thanks in advance to anyone that can and will help me.

 

[Turdle]

The starter gear might not be spring back, or the spring may ba broken. Try removing the starter from the truck and let's see the gear

 

[MoekKing]

The starter gear might not be spring back, or the spring may ba broken. Try removing the starter from the truck and let's see the gear

I can definitly do that. I get off at 1:30am. Ill do it soon as i get home and post again. Thank you.