Drive shaft problem

[Joe_Black]

My next step will be to put the truck on 4 jackstands and run it. Hopefully I can see whats shaking.

See if you can put it on a lift at a shop rather than the jackstands, that's a sure fire way to get into the next Darwin Award list.

Also, with the suspension dropped to full extension without any load you're radically changing "driving" conditions which may be causing the vibration.

Take some time and a flashlight to visually inspect both driveshafts for damage or the tell-tale sign of missing balance weights. Do the same for your wheels inside and out, and even look at the brake rotors.

[V12BMW]

well I checked the driveshafts and what I think is the u-joint (long u shaped shaft, above the ear axel running the width of the car?) The rear driveshaft is solid as a rock, I was yanking on it, and no give. However, the front shaft will wobble a little bit with just minemal effort. I'm guessing around 1, maybe 2/16 of slop. Is this this the coulpret? Can I clean that slop up myself? Where do I go from here? thanks tom

[V12BMW]

if anyone has some imput on where I should go from here I would greatly appreciate it

[ZEUS]

The u-joints are mounted at the ends of the driveshafts - they are the "joints" that connect the driveshafts to the axles and the transfer case. They are small (4" crosses) - if your front driveshaft is wobbling then you quite possibly do have a bad u-joint or two in that shaft. Those u-joints would need to be removed and tossed so some new ones can be installed. If the vibration hasn't gotten worse in 30,000 miles though I would say you have another issue. Don't know what, however.

I think what you described, "long u shaped shaft, above the ear axel running the width of the car" sounds like the rear anti-sway bar - I don't know what else it could be off-hand... but if you misidentified an anti-sway bar as a u-joint you might want to have someone else work on the problem for you... no offense.

[V12BMW]

no offense taken, lol yea that was the sway arm. how much do ujoints run? two fronts and how long does the process take to swap em out? also, should there be some slop in that shaft? help

[ZEUS]

I have never bought a u-joint for the VX but for a Jeep the range from like $8 to $20 or so. I haven't checked our driveshafts to see how the u-joints are secured yet. Some vehicles have them pressed in, some use u-bolts, some use straps and bolts. It should be a fairly quick procedure on any type - less than an hour to fit new joints to each shaft... at least in my experience. I have done minimal work to my VX thus far. After this weekend though I might have some better answers!

Oh, the slop you speak of... I would say there shouldn't be any slop - but again, I haven't worked on mine much and it may be typical. Hope I helped.

[tngerman2000]

both were around 175.00 yes 175.00 probably the most expensive u joints on the planet. bought through St Charles(Merlin) saved 10% compared to my local dealer

[tngerman2000]

175 through st charles for 2 very expensive part