Duffdog

I just bought a used 88 4runner yesterday and noticed that when decelerating in gear, there is a vibration coming from the rear end of the vehicle. anyone have experience with this? maybe a u-joint or the diff? I got a good deal on it too-- only 2000 dollars, no dents, came with 33's, slider bars and the engine runs well!

oh, one other question, the owner never put it in 4WD in about 4 years, is there some type of maintenance that needs to be done to the transfer case or the front axles?


Tim

CTB

Ya, bad u-joints can cause a driveline virbration, but you usually notice it all the time (not just decelerating). Also, it could be that the driveshaft needs balanced...I read about that a few times as well. Since your rig is 15 years old, replacing the u-joints wouldn't be a bad idea anyway.

Duffdog

thanks dude..

just for fun, i took the rearend out and had it rebuilt and put a new u joint in the driveline. the vibrations gone now-- and so is the funky whining noise from the rearend.

T

Adam F

yea, that is loads of fun isnt it?


I'd change the front diff fluid and if you have manual hubs, take off the 8 or so 10mm bolts and look inside and see if there is still some grease in there. 4 years without 4x4, with 33's and sliders? I dont get it.

Duffdog

can you change the front diff fluid easily? like i wont have to disconnect any belts or brackets or stuff like that?

--o ya, the sliders really arent sliders, they are the fake-ass nerf step bars that bolt to the shackle mounts. The people that owned it before me just bought it for groceries and driving around the city, i think it was the owners before them that had the problem....

T

89-4run

I will NOT offer any help until I see some pics

Always anxious to see pics of other's 1st gens

Erich_870

How do you change U-joints?

I assume you pull the drive shaft off, but do you have to get a special tool? I have a bit of vibration at hwy speeds and mine is an 87' 4Runner.

Thanks

Duffdog

first of all- before pulling off the driveshaft, reach under there and try to shake it up and down, back and forth. if there is any movement in the driveline at the u-joints, then change them. my u joints were actually burned and expanded and there were no needle bearings left--just metal grinding on metal. the manual says to use a hydraulic press to remove the cups, but i broke my vice doing that and elected to just use a big ass hammer and a socket that matched the diameter of the cup. after an hour of hammering, the u joint just fell out.


Tim