removed front drive shaft & vibration went away, Why?

[redrocket99]

Hi, I have a 04 explorer xlt 4x4 with 55,000 miles. I get a vibration between 3000 & 4000 rpms, driving under part throttle. Driving on the parkway there is no vibration, everything in the front end is tight and my transmission shifts great without any slipping. When I removed the front drive shaft the vibration went away and drove great, so I changed the u-joint (it was a bit rough), put the drive shaft back in...no change. I have also noticed when in 4x4 drive the vibration goes away. I'm lost.........has anybody had this issue?

 

[my pos mounty]

Im not too familiar with the 3rd gen, but if you only changed the ujoint, you only did 1/2 the joints on the shaft?? How does it connect to the transfercase? Kinda looks like a cv joint at that end? If so, you need a new front driveshaft

 

[redrocket99]

Yes I only did the one half, the other side kinda looks like a cv joint, but it felt smooth. how can you check it?

 

[my pos mounty]

Well, I am gonna say its bad cuz when you had it removed, no vibrations were present and when reinstalled the vibration had returned.
New ones are pricey, over 200. If you can get to the explorer forum approved suppliers, I believe the name is "ericautopart" he has them the cheapest I have seen, and they are Ford shafts.
You might try sending ericautopart a private message even.

 

[redrocket99]

Thanks, I would like to find a cv joint rebuilding kit for the drive shaft, does anybody know where to get one?