Front axle yoke rotation play

[Telee29675]

Hey guys,

I’ve pulled my front driveshaft because of the popping noise from the front diff. When I’m turning left of pavement a loud pop and slight “jump” every rotation. (Does not do it when I turn right)

anyways, so I took out the shaft so it would at least be drivable, and I have found the front yoke has about an inch of rotation left to right before it makes contact in the differential. What would be the diagnoses from afar? Trying not to bite the bullet and rebuild the whole thing, but may end up having to.

 

[Telee29675]

Hey guys,

I’ve pulled my front driveshaft because of the popping noise from the front diff. When I’m turning left of pavement a loud pop and slight “jump” every rotation. (Does not do it when I turn right)

anyways, so I took out the shaft so it would at least be drivable, and I have found the front yoke has about an inch of rotation left to right before it makes contact in the differential. What would be the diagnoses from afar? Trying not to bite the bullet and rebuild the whole thing, but may end up having to.

Also, I had the front shafts pulled out a couple weeks ago when I was replacing the bearings and didn’t have any teeth that were damaged or worn.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That loud pop and thunk when turning is very likely a bad u-joint on your axle shaft. Replace your front axle shaft u-joints with Spicer 5-760x u-joints which are direct fit replacements that are both stronger and more durable than the Spicer 5-297x u-joints the factory installed.

Rotational play on the driveshaft is normal due to the backlash (slop) inside the differential between the ring & pinion gears.