NOT Good - And the Weirdest Thing I've Ever Seen!

[Sgt. Dave]

As soon as I got the lift done on my"88, noticed a "wheering" noise out of the front. Sounded almost likt the driveshaft rubbing, or a line rubbing the tire. But everything was clear. Started checking, pulled the front driveshaft, and the noise went away. My suspect was the double cardan joint, felt a little loose. Dropped the driveshaft off at the driveshaft shop to have the joint rebuilt (they quoted a price cheaper than I could even buy the parts for) Shop owner looks at it, sure enough the rear joint is loose, and the caps had been spinning in the transfer case yoke. He can fix that, but the transfer case yoke may have to be replaced. Won't know until I put the new joint in and see if it's a tight fit. I have never seen a u-joint cap spin in a yoke before! And it was torqued down tight. Anyone else ever seen anyting like this before? And how hard is it to pull the front yoke of a 229 transfer case if it's bad. Gota fix it quick, leaving for Colorado in 6 days. HELP :eek: :eek: :eek:

[River Beast]

Could have been the wrong U-joint to begine with... there are VERY small tolerances that make them different... but now.. I have never heard of that....sounds weird....was there side to side play? like the caps bouncing off the yoke tabs?... just curious... cuz the yoke tabs usually have a snug fit to the cap... so if there is play... the joint could be wrong or just worn out....

[Don S]

Sgt Dave...Thoughs joints broke in the old days enough that they made a repair kit for the T-400 tranny case. Good that you caught it.... DAVE the new Consumers Report has a big deal 'bout crash testing........... :cool: ...ds..

[jeepbob]

If the joint is bad enough the inner race will get grooves worn in it and the needles can catch, bind and break causing enough force to spin the caps.

[Sgt. Dave]

Well, the shop just called, driveshaft's ready to go, guess I'll go see what the damage is.
Todd,
The ends of the cap had a bright ring around the edge where it bears against the tabs. Looks like rotation, not side play. Never seen anything like it......

[Sgt. Dave]

Got the driveshaft - $92.00 for 2 u-joints and a centering yoke kit, installed. Shop owner tells me this is VERY common with these double cardans "Happens all the time". I'll take his word for it(been in business 25+ years & builds driveshafts for every 4x4 shop in Tulsa)
I learn something new every day....
Now to see if the yoke is shot

[kyjman]

I did the seals in my 208 last year and if I remember right the nut wasn't all that bad to get off. While your chaning the yoke if need be make sure you put new seals in also. They won't be that much more $. Most likely with the joint being bad and vibrating the seal will need replaced also. Good Luck

[Sgt. Dave]

Just an update, finally got the driveshaft back in. Got lucky, the yoke was still tight on the new joint.

Thanks Guys! :D