Please look at this pic and tell me whats wrong

[ErikNYC]

OK, so I changed out the front u-joints (thanks to the excellent write up on here), changed out a bad UCA bushing and yesterday got 4 new (used but newer/better) tires and still have a vibration at about 55-70 MPH.

Now forgive me as I dont know all the names of these drivetrain parts but this shaft going from the transfer case to the front diff, seems to have some excessive play where the red arrow is pointing. Is this whats called a slip yoke?

Should there be a boot covering this like on the rear shaft?

How hard is this to replace?

[Trooper]

No there is no boot for that. Do you have a lift kit on ? The steering damper may be going bad. It is the thing that looks like a shock in front of the axle.

[Trooper]

Could even be tires out of balanced you would notice it at higher speeds.

[ErikNYC]

no lift kit...stock suspension and just had the tires balanced.

[desertrat]

one suggestion is, it may be worth just throwing ane mail to tom woods drive shafts
Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts - Tom Woods Custom Drive Shafts Custom Driveshafts Specialist
they seem to know a lot and they are great to deal with, ive emailed them a few times just trying to find out what i need to know when i lift my jeep.

[muddeprived]

Originally Posted by ErikNYC

OK, so I changed out the front u-joints (thanks to the excellent write up on here), changed out a bad UCA bushing and yesterday got 4 new (used but newer/better) tires and still have a vibration at about 55-70 MPH.

Now forgive me as I dont know all the names of these drivetrain parts but this shaft going from the transfer case to the front diff, seems to have some excessive play where the red arrow is pointing. Is this whats called a slip yoke?

Should there be a boot covering this like on the rear shaft?

How hard is this to replace?

Sometimes play develops in that splined section you are pointing at. It clunks when you push it up and down right? Try something, remove that entire driveshaft. It has four bolts at each end. Take it off and then go drive it and see if it vibrates anymore. If it does not vibrate then we know that is what is causing your vibes. If vibes are still there then we can move on to the next possible culprit.

[jerman75]

had an alignment done yet?

[ErikNYC]

Originally Posted by muddeprived

Sometimes play develops in that splined section you are pointing at. It clunks when you push it up and down right? Try something, remove that entire driveshaft. It has four bolts at each end. Take it off and then go drive it and see if it vibrates anymore. If it does not vibrate then we know that is what is causing your vibes. If vibes are still there then we can move on to the next possible culprit.

I was thinking of trying that but was not sure if it was safe or not. Nothing else like the yokes on the transfer case or front diff would fall out??

Since the vibes are at like 60-75MPH I would want to take it on the highway and test at that speed. would that be ok with the front drive shaft removed??

If so Ill go do it now..


Thanks

[Quinn]

It is fine to drive without the front driveshaft.

[littleblackxj]

Originally Posted by ErikNYC

I was thinking of trying that but was not sure if it was safe or not. Nothing else like the yokes on the transfer case or front diff would fall out??

Since the vibes are at like 60-75MPH I would want to take it on the highway and test at that speed. would that be ok with the front drive shaft removed??

If so Ill go do it now..


Thanks

Yeah, it is completely fine. On the tcase, it is a fixed yoke so there is nothing to fall out. My buddy has been driving without a front driveshaft for almost a month without issue.

[muddeprived]

Yup it's fine.

[ErikNYC]

OK,, I took the front drive shaft off and took it out on the highway, vibrations were still there but "different" so I took it right to a shop to get the wheels balanced. The tech said they were actually way out of balance so its much better now but still shakes a bit over 75 (Florida speed limit is 70 so I will be seeing those speeds regularly).

Guess Ill put the shaft back on and try again in the morning. Also found some bushings for the front sway bar that were crushed so Ill see if I can find em locally tomorrow and replace those too. I also have 4 new shocks I'm gona put on as well.

[muddeprived]

Originally Posted by ErikNYC

OK,, I took the front drive shaft off and took it out on the highway, vibrations were still there but "different" so I took it right to a shop to get the wheels balanced. The tech said they were actually way out of balance so its much better now but still shakes a bit over 75 (Florida speed limit is 70 so I will be seeing those speeds regularly).

Guess Ill put the shaft back on and try again in the morning. Also found some bushings for the front sway bar that were crushed so Ill see if I can find em locally tomorrow and replace those too. I also have 4 new shocks I'm gona put on as well.

Try swapping front tires to the rear. It never hurts to try that cuz sometimes certain tires are bad and putting them in the back can cure a front end vibe.

[ErikNYC]

Originally Posted by muddeprived

Try swapping front tires to the rear. It never hurts to try that cuz sometimes certain tires are bad and putting them in the back can cure a front end vibe.

Thanks,,,, good idea. Will do

[Trooper]

Some tires are also directional tread. If the tires arent spinning the way they should they will vibrate as well.