I have a 2000 DII that I recently removed the front drive shaft and engaged CDL (as I thought it was the source of vibration and wanted to ensure it didnt self-destruct) and have been driving for two weeks on the rear only shaft. However, I have noticed that while driving on rear only, I get play in the drive train .. ie if you let off the gas, you hear a clank and thud as the truck slows, and when you hit the gas again, you get the same clank and thud as the engine picks up the load.

So the question is, what do you suppose this could be? Is there perhaps something amiss in the transmission or transfer case or perhaps rear drive shaft spacer?

Unfortunately removing the front drive shaft didnt solve the vibration (so tires are getting down there, maybe that) but it did have a nice chunk missing right by one of the needle bearings, so going to replace it anyway. So 2nd question, where is the best place to get a replacement shaft, pretty sure you cant fix this one due to the missing chunk.

Thanks all.

 

You can get that slop from either drive shaft when getting on and off the gas.
Check your rear roto flex to see if it is cracked.
By the way, did you get your front shaft fixed?

 

Thanks Mike ...

I have looked at the roto-flex, it looked OK, but perhaps I should just go ahead and replace, truck has 140k and doubtful it has been replaced to date.

On the front drive shaft, havent gotten it replaced yet, I may find a place to see if they can repair/rebuild the one I have, otherwise I will look for a new one .. if you have a suggestion for where to get a new one, that would be great. The good thing is that the one on it had grease zerks, but who knows how often they had been greased. Shaft looks in good shape other than a small chunk about 1/8 - 1/4 broken right at needle bearing. Dont know if it can be welded and then have the joints and bearings replaced, but a new one might simply be the better bet.

 

http://www.roverlandparts.com/index.asp

Get a used shaft from here, cheaper than new. But first I would take your old one to a driveline shop and see if they can rebuild it. Might not be as bad as you think.

 

have you noticed any MPG gains with the front shaft out?

 

I was wondering about increased MPG, but to tell you the truth, I havent tracked it since I removed the shaft. I will check it with next fill up and see. Since my normal is between 11 and 12 ... ahhhh ... and with $4 per gallon on its way .. might make sense to remove both shafts and push it to work

 

Here is a close-up of the broken area .... have a call into a drive train shop right now.



[IMG]local://upfiles/9455/796EB48F2D4A4EC58E9D150DC6EE041D.jpg[/IMG]

 

For the mileage, I would change the rotoflex. as for the drive shaft, I think you may be better off going to, http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html

For about $320, they make a great drive shaft.

No, you don't get any better mileage on only one shaft, you are still dragging the second diff and all its drag.

 

For what I paid when my driveshaft disentegrated...you can buy the nicest one Mike can find and still add a couple of gadgets to your truck...do what you may...but you'll save tons whichever solution you choose.

Shannon

 

I got a front drive shaft from Tom Woods and have been happy with it since. It seemed to be the best price I found and if they haven't changed the web site yet, you can get a shaft without the "plate" they used to sell and it is cheaper than the one listed