[ItsJustAvise]

I just got this driveshaft back from being rebuilt and when I installed it today I noticed there is a little play in the front. It is a double cardan and the rear is as snug as can be. On the front, there is no play whatsoever in the U-Joint where it is attached to the shaft, but where it is held in with the straps there is a very small amount of side to side play of the joint moving in the caps. I haven't noticed this before and I assume it's not good. The straps are tight and it appears to be sitting in the yoke nicely... Any ideas on why I have this side to side play in the caps?

Here are a couple pics to show where I am having the play. Notice the small gap between the cap and the joint.

Small gap when pushed ^^^^^

No small gap when pulled ^^^^^

 

[snobrdrkid07]

Is there side of the u-joint seated properly? See that little "nub" on the yoke? is the other side the same? Could have installed it without seating it between those points on the yoke. Check that.

Otherwise the u-joint could be wrong? But that seems unlikely.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

It seems to be seated right on both sides. The nub is on the outside of the cap, holding it in place, on both sides. I thought that it could be the wrong size as well but everywhere I look says that they are the correct ones. I'm kind of stumped.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

I'll also note that I am not sure if this is the factory driveshaft or not. I have only owned the jeep for a couple weeks and I am just trying to figure everything out. The driveshaft was bad when I bought the jeep, which is why I had it rebuilt.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

Yeah just a 1310 Spicer (or equivalent) u-joint. It is possible that the thrust washer inside the cap is missing causing the misalignment.

Almost all Jeeps use 1310 joints too.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

 

[ItsJustAvise]

I had looked at something like this already, but my understanding is that the snap rings only go on the sides of the U-joint that is attached to the driveshaft, correct? They don't go with on the caps that are held in with the straps if I understand correct. I could be wrong though.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

Jeep uses external snap rings, as most cars do, expect for the axle shafts which are internal. (WJ doesn't have u-joint axle shafts anyways.)

But, back on topic, no you will not use snap rings on the ears on the u joint that is on the yoke for the axle. There should be snap rings on the yoke of the shaft. I can not verify via your posted pictures but I would imagine the driveshaft shop would know what they are doing.

So, I really do not there should be that much axial play. The acceptable tolerance for axial play is maybe 1 or 2 thousands of an inch. I am going to guess it might be missing that washer. Undo the straps and pull it off and pull the caps off carefully and see if they are there.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll go ahead and pull the shaft tonight or tomorrow and take a look for those washers.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

Alright man, interested to know what you find. Also post up and ID Numbers that are on the u-joint. Should be in the center of the cross.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

Alright, pulled the driveshaft to see what kind of mess I've got going on here. The U-Joint that is on the front yoke side doesn't have a part number on it. I called the mechanic who installed it (a good friend of mine) and he gave me the part number of the joint he used. It's an Orileys masterpro 369 which supposedly fits my Jeep.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MPJ0/369.oap?pt=01462&ppt=C0362

Here are some pics of the joint as well as some closeups of the yoke. AND while doing all this digging I think I've discovered that my pinion bearings are in the process of failing so now I get to look into that... Its always something.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

Pull the caps off and see if there are thrust washers in there.

Also, I'd be weary of those cheap parts.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

Is that the thrush washer at the bottom? or is that just the bottom of the cap?

 

[snobrdrkid07]

That looks like the thrust washer. If you get a pick in there, you might be able to distinguish between the cap and the washer. Be careful not to rustle the needle bearings or that'll be a fun time.

Those auto parts store parts are not up to the quality of OEM parts. With that being said, it could also be a bad part. I recommend sticking with Spicer Parts, only a few dollars more than auto parts stores.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

Yeah I wish I would have specified to begin with when he rebuilt it, but that's my fault. Is it the Spicer 5-153X U-Joint that fits the front of the front shaft? That seems to be the one showing up.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

Yeah I wish I would have specified to begin with when he rebuilt it, but that's my fault. Is it the Spicer 5-153X U-Joint that fits the front of the front shaft? That seems to be the one showing up.

Yes but that's a grease able joint, which is perfectly fine. I went with non greaseable. It's your choice there. Any 1310 is the size and it'll fit.

 

[ItsJustAvise]

I sure appreciate your help with this! I'll go ahead and pick one of those up and see about replacing it. If for whatever reason that doesn't work, I'll try a new yoke.

 

[snobrdrkid07]

I sure appreciate your help with this! I'll go ahead and pick one of those up and see about replacing it. If for whatever reason that doesn't work, I'll try a new yoke.

No problem, we've been there done that with frustrating things like this.

You can rent a ball joint press to remove and replace the joint without smashing it with a hammer.

 

[Theunissa]

I just got this driveshaft back from being rebuilt and when I installed it today I noticed there is a little play in the front. It is a double cardan and the rear is as snug as can be. On the front, there is no play whatsoever in the U-Joint where it is attached to the shaft, but where it is held in with the straps there is a very small amount of side to side play of the joint moving in the caps. I haven't noticed this before and I assume it's not good. The straps are tight and it appears to be sitting in the yoke nicely... Any ideas on why I have this side to side play in the caps?

Here are a couple pics to show where I am having the play. Notice the small gap between the cap and the joint.

Small gap when pushed ^^^^^

No small gap when pulled ^^^^^

I had the same prob on mine after a rebuild. Toolk it back and they said it was a bad joint. Replaced anf now no play

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[snobrdrkid07]

I had the same prob on mine after a rebuild. Toolk it back and they said it was a bad joint. Replaced anf now no play

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hopefully the OP can get it fixed up via the shop if there is an error as such.