Rear Driveshaft play in coupling/Clunk

[96eb96]

I have some occasional clunking while decelerating, also a bit of noise while revving in third gear at around 40-50Mph. Not a whine, possibly not drivetrain related, could possibly be from the cheap muffler.

I also have occasional vibrations past 65MPH, but nothing really major. There are new tires and balljoints(this didn't really make a big difference).

Anyway I put in in neutral, set the ebrake, chocked the wheels and went under the truck.

The UJoints SEEM tight, I can't get get play in any direction. Tried twisting motions and up-down. I guess the next test would be dropping the shaft, I know they could bind.

What I did find is this:
The driveshaft coupling near the t-case though had a bit play(don't know if this is normal). I was able to make it clunk by rapidly twisting both halves. Is this normal? I can't seem to find a spec on that. Would I need a new driveshaft or just the stub?

There is some backlash in the read end, but nothing that excessive. Both flanges feel solid with the driveshaft connected.

 

[yavapaires]

I have some occasional clunking while decelerating, also a bit of noise while revving in third gear at around 40-50Mph. Not a whine, possibly not drivetrain related, could possibly be from the cheap muffler.

I also have occasional vibrations past 65MPH, but nothing really major. There are new tires and balljoints(this didn't really make a big difference).

Anyway I put in in neutral, set the ebrake, chocked the wheels and went under the truck.

The UJoints SEEM tight, I can't get get play in any direction. Tried twisting motions and up-down. I guess the next test would be dropping the shaft, I know they could bind.

What I did find is this:
The driveshaft coupling near the t-case though had a bit play(don't know if this is normal). I was able to make it clunk by rapidly twisting both halves. Is this normal? I can't seem to find a spec on that. Would I need a new driveshaft or just the stub?

There is some backlash in the read end, but nothing that excessive. Both flanges feel solid with the driveshaft connected.

No, not normal. A driveline shop can replace BOTH halves of the slip joint.

 

[mr_valingo]

Is that the double cardone joint? If so i'd replace both u-joints and the ball joint in the middle of it

 

[masospaghetti]

FWIW, my shaft's slip joint has play in it too, and so did the three shafts I found in the junkyard. I also sometimes get a clunk in my drivetrain, just assumed it was from this.

 

[96eb96]

FWIW, my shaft's slip joint has play in it too, and so did the three shafts I found in the junkyard. I also sometimes get a clunk in my drivetrain, just assumed it was from this.

I did some research...

There is an issue with rangers that have 2 piece shafts...
http://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25243

Also,
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/411503-superduty-clunk-teflon-grease.html

There is a product to lube up those splines...after time it must dry out..

 

[RickOTR]

Here's a step by step procedure of lubricating the slip yoke...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106307

 

[yavapaires]

The slip joint and a double cardon joint are two very different things. The slip joint is where the two piece drive shafts move to compensate for the changing length when the rear end moves up and down.