Is this too much play in the drive shaft?

[tlrtucker]

I lifted the jeep 500 miles ago and today I developed a clunking noise. It is most noticeable on and off the brakes. I went under, retorqued everything, everything looked fine but noticed this (see video). It's not a constant clunk - sometimes it happens rhythmically, sometimes nothing at all, usually happens when letting on or off the brakes. And I feel it through the brake pedal. It almost feels as if the calipers themselves are loose, but everything is tight. I checked the front axle shafts and they seem solid (as far as I can tell). I also checked both front wheel bearings and upper/lower ball joints. It also doesn't happen if I'm turning. More like approaching and leaving stop signs....never had this before...

I'm stumped...



This is the shaft from the transfer case to the front diff...click on pic for video

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[dude1116]

Seems OK. What you want to check is vertical play. Also check the boot on the joint that goes into the transfer case. If it's torn, time to replace the CV joint!

 

[tlrtucker]

Right on thanks. I looked at a couple Liberty's we have here at work and they all have the same amount of play too.

 

[TheBlueKJ]

Now I'm not a professional but I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to have any play

 

[cj847]

Sounds like a suspension issue to me. When you are on and off the brake the suspension is usually cycling in some way as well.

The play in your video is normal. Up, down, in, out, side to side no, but rotationally OK (to a point).

 

[dude1116]

Now I'm not a professional but I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to have any play

It's not really play. It's just rotational "give" that is allowed by the yolks, isn't it? I know it's normal.

 

[TheBlueKJ]

Idk it just looks to me that the bolts are shifting around in the picture

 

[dude1116]

Idk it just looks to me that the bolts are shifting around in the picture

I see what you're saying but seems like it's the picture angle. Click on it. It's a video! :emotions34:

 

[TheBlueKJ]

oooooohhh! That makes sense. And yea that's a normal amount of play definitely

 

[Cardhu]

that ammount of backlash is typical. As long as the ends are intact and not ripped your fine.

 

[tlrtucker]

Yah all the ends look just fine. Whatever was making the noise has gone away. I'm still getting a growl coming from what I think is a wheel bearing...strange, but typical when lifting something with 125k miles, lol