Excessive rotational play in drive shaft
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 5:55 pm
Hi,
I’ve noticed a clonking sound when driving my pickup when loading/unloading the engine, and I think I’ve narrowed it down to what looks like 30 degrees of free rotation on the drive shaft. I think this is supposed to be in the realm of 2 to 5 degrees? I’ve taken a look at the UJ and it looks sold and free from play, next I inspected the half shafts, they look good to me although one does have a witness mark on it. So I’m left thinking it’s the differential gears?
I guess I can drop the drive shaft off and see if the play still exists but any thoughts / advice appreciated.
Divers side
Passenger side
I’ve noticed a clonking sound when driving my pickup when loading/unloading the engine, and I think I’ve narrowed it down to what looks like 30 degrees of free rotation on the drive shaft. I think this is supposed to be in the realm of 2 to 5 degrees? I’ve taken a look at the UJ and it looks sold and free from play, next I inspected the half shafts, they look good to me although one does have a witness mark on it. So I’m left thinking it’s the differential gears?
I guess I can drop the drive shaft off and see if the play still exists but any thoughts / advice appreciated.
Divers side
Passenger side