U joint problem or axle done?

[lexplorer]

I found a new noise the last couple of days ,it started off with a squealing noise like something rubbing against metal going in circle(best way to describe)Just from starting position. Heavy vibration during driving ,, I would put it in N and the vibrationg would stop . I lifted up the rear end and the tires seem to move quite a bit . when i go into reverse and forward I do hear a clunk . To me it seems that there is to much play in the axle and I thought if the rear end was going you hear a whining sound as the gears are grinding or such. I looked at the u joints and they seem to be o.k. but could it be that it is locked and not falling out yet.. Should I just start with u joints first and what should I investigate next or does it sound like u joints ,, This is scrap yard do or die now ,because I will not replace axle as it is at its latter part of life .This has been a great truck with very minor repairs and would hate to see it go this way , Need to keep this truck going for at least another year .Thanks for help or suggestions on what to think or diagnose the problem ..

 

[Mud Bug 94]

u joint...set the parking brake and leave it in neutral...shake the hell out of the d-shaft....if it moves then its a u-joint for sure.

 

[Xpl0rer]

im sure the !klunk! you are hearing in reverse and drive are your u joints..... is the vibration bad? sounds like the axle may be out of balance, which in turn would cause your vibrating...or wheel bearings maybe?
Gl and let us know whats wrong and how much it was to fix...
Best of Luck
~troy~

p.s. im assuming "rear axel" you meant driveshaft please correct me if im wrong, worn u-joints would definately would cause this play in the driveshaft... i would recomend take 10 minutes and drop the rear driveshaft and take a look see what ya got

 

[DeRocha]

U-Joints are cheap and fairly easy to change on the rear drive shaft (see links in my sig line). If you wait too long and a U-joint blows you maybe looking at a whole new shaft..While the shaft is out you also should lubricate the axle's slip joint (a common cause of some thumping noises when hitting bumps).

 

[lexplorer]

re ujoints

I was going to take a look today but not very nice out today , the driveshaft doesn't seem to be moving or loose in the ujoints ,the play seems to be more int he axle when I lift the tires off ground ,could it be the pinion gear (sorry if that is not what it is called) the part that goes from driveshaft to axle .

 

[DeRocha]

The vibration only occurs when in "D" with the vehicle moving? So when this happens and you shift in "N" the noise goes away correct?

 

[Xpl0rer]

when you checked for play in the axle the rear end was completely off the ground right? i've seen countless people check ujoints while the vehicle is on the ground, even when they are bad the load of the vehicle will compensate for the play in the u joint... best of luck (unless of course you are on completely level ground)
~troy~

 

[lexplorer]

Yes when in neutral and gliding the vibration goes away but once you put in drive again with load on (speeding up) the vibration comes back , I am hearing that all familiar clunk now assciated with ujoints ,but I still think the rear end is also gone ,when in park in driveway you can push truck back and forth quite a bit more than the aerostar beside it ,seems like a lot of play in axle .. By the way it does have 330.000 kms on it , so I would imagine the rear end gears are quite thin by now and that would give it the play there ,but it still and hopefully is the u joints that I will replace tommorrow now if stores have them in stock on sunday. If I should check anything else to see if it is the rear end or wheel bearings let me know , I have grabbed the wheel from top to bottom and shook and it seemed o.k. a little loose but seems the same as when I did that last year.. Thanks for help......................

 

[Xpl0rer]

you may wanna pick up some gear lube and drain the pumpkin and inspect for wear... just an idea might spend 15 bux on a new gasket and gear lube...

 

[lexplorer]

Well checked today ,it is I think the yoke or that seal there at axle, I had someone go in and go in d and r and you could hear the grinding or clunk there and you could see the metal flange seperated a bit , when I had the rear end off ground and turned wheels there was a lot of play and also it seemed the driveshaft missed a turn when like it was slipping on the yoke of driveshaft(not sure if that is what it is called the part attached to driveshaft to axle.)I am wondering if it is just the yoke or complete rear axle gears any suggestions on where to go next or start looking for rearend.

 

[lexplorer]

Checked today and lifted rear end off ground and seems to be alot of play in the axle ,at the yoke you could see the seal looks to be sitting out a bit and also someone go in and put in d and r and you could hear the clunk there and it seems to be the yoke there at axle ,,any suggestions or take in and see how much as the bolts are pretty rusted as I tried to get ujoints off today and couldn't budge them of the yoke .

 

[lexplorer]

checked todya

Having trouble posting today ,might come up same a couple of times,, checked today and lifted rear end up ,there seems to be alot of play in the axle and when you move the wheel one way the driveshaft seems like it hits a dead spot and skips a turn ,seems like to much play in there and looked at the yoke seal ,it seems to be coming away from axle ,, had someone go in a put in d and r while I listened and it seeems like it is coming from this yoke at axle ,, any suggestions or bite the bullet and see what they say at shop or buy something else now.

 

[lexplorer]

Well after reading a few more posts i decided to get some oil for axle and filled it up but that did not make a difference ,seemed to make it worse ,now I hear the scraping sound I heard before ,I might check bearings tommorrow.

 

[DeRocha]

Well after reading a few more posts i decided to get some oil for axle and filled it up but that did not make a difference ,seemed to make it worse ,now I hear the scraping sound I heard before ,I might check bearings tommorrow.

Did you remove the diff cover and check the Ring & pinion for any tooth damage?

 

[lexplorer]

Should that be the way I go ,I just topped up the oil and it seemed to take quite a bit ,so it probable has been going for quite awhile but shouldn't I have moticed this alot sooner as I am very aware of all sounds of the truck and didn't suspect anything until this week ,It seemed like it jsut happened overnight . When I do move wheels (wheels off ground) in a rotation ,i watch the driveshaft and it spins a bit and then it seems like it misses a tooth ,It is looking more like the yoke maybe ??????I could handle that ... and replace ujoints at same time..what you think ....?????????????

 

[DeRocha]

U-joints are relatively cheap compared to replacing a driveshaft as such If they are original I would replace them... If this doesn't cure your problem then you'll need to remove the diff cover and inspect the gears for wear/damage.. You'd also want to determine where the gear oil leaked from (axle seal would be common).

 

[lexplorer]

sorry havent had a chance to check yet

Sorry been a little busy to check but I am going to change ujoints and go from there , take a good look at yoke and if I can get it off easy I will take a look at that while there , I will probable get a chance either friday or sat. so I will post on findings but not looking forward on finding the diff gone (fingers crossed)

 

[lexplorer]

I decided to scrap the truck.. bought a new 08 escape.. I will miss that truck , it was good to me and no real problems .Thanks for all the help in these forums..