Drive Shaft plat at differential

[aroostok]

Because I've been having some loud noice and vibration from underneat the B, I've looked at the universals and can find no problems with them (they are the sealed type). No excessive play. But when I move the drive shaft back where it connects to the differential I have, what I would have thought is too much play. It's noticeable. How much should there be? Do I have a shaft problem?

 

[Michael Oritt]

More likely a problem in the differential, esp.if the noise and vibration level has changed noticeably.

I'd recommend pulling out the pumpkin and a visual inspection/ manual feel of the unit will tell you a lot. The gears should not be sharp and scuffed unevenly.

When you drain the oil out of the diff housing be sure to save it so you can check for any small gear bits which will be magnetic. Also wash out the axle housing from outside in with brake cleaner and run a magnet around to look for small bits.

 

[MGZT260]

One way to tell if you have diff problems. especially with bolted wheels is to raise back of car on jackstands, and if you can rotate wheels (either one) back and forth and driveshaft does not move significantly but it feels like sloppy splines on wire wheels then you have sloppy diff. If you have wire wheels the slop can be in the hubs instead of diff. Another quick test on any car is to crawl underneath and push and pull sideways on shaft where it connects to input pinion. Copare amount of or lack of movement with opposite end. At proper tolerances sideways movement should be I'm guessing less than 1/8" total (maybe less)

I would pull shaft connection at diff and check for excessive wear external as a first step to going inside although a peek inside won't hurt.

One thing above all to keep in mind when removing or reinstalling a driveshaft in a vehicle is that the u-joints must be properly phased or you will get wear and noise. Many splined connections on vehicles such as this can be easily installed wrong. Newer, modern vehicles have a tab that allows only proper alignment.