ShadowTek

I've been trying to figure out what this bucking slop in the drivetrain is. I've replaced the motor and trans mounts, working my way back, and now I'm to the axle. I just read about axle wrap and watched some videos on youtube demonstrating it, and I think that's what the problem is, but I'm not sure.

So I decided to strap a camera to my gas tank's skid plate and go for a test drive. After reviewing the video, I can see that the axle is definitely twisting, but I don't know if it's within normal tolerances. Either way, I can now visualize what's happening. There is a gap between the lowest leaf, which is pretty flat, and the upper leafs, which are curved together. The axle only seems to be twisting until the lower leaf closes the gap and makes contact with the leaf above it. It only manages to close the gap under high torque, like in 1st and 2nd gear at full throttle. At this point, I don't get any bucking at all.
However, when I'm not applying enough torque to close the gap, such as when I'm in higher gears at highway speeds (usually going uphill), I get bucking. I think this is coming from the axle rocking back and forth as the lower leaf isn't making contact and isn't helping to support anything.

I've uploaded two snapshots from the video. The first is when I'm at a stop, and the other is when I'm at full throttle in first gear.
Is this beyond the proper range of movement? You can see how far the driveshaft is being lifted.

This is an '88 22re 5-spd 4wd.

muddpigg

iTrader: (1)

I can't see springs in pic to say anything about them.

The pinion pushing up under acceleration is common and to be expected, but only a couple degrees. That doesn't look bad to me.

ShadowTek

You can see the gap in the springs that I'm referring to at the right edge of the photos.

muddpigg

iTrader: (1)

i'll repeat. I can't see enough of springs to say if bent, or overload spring on a flat pack.

rattlewagon

Also agree, looks normal. What kind of "bucking slop" are you experiencing?

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

His pinion to propshaft angle is almost inverting 100%.. I can't measure it on this, but I'll make up angles.. from 165 to 190

Can(would) you pull another frame that shows it while engine braking please?

ShadowTek

The bucking feels like some really big dude is pushing and pulling really fast on the back of the truck while I'm driving, occurring mainly when I'm cruising at highway speeds, usually uphill, but it isn't related to a certain speed It's only when I'm on the gas. It stops as soon as I let off the gas. It isn't the engine doing it though. I have a new clutch kit, new mounts,and everything back to the rear differential has been apart and back together recently, so I know everything is fastened to proper torque, and it was doing it before all that anyway. I don't see anything that looks loose.

I have a noticeable exhaust leak, so I don't have a whole lot of engine braking effect to speak of. I'll see if I can cut a short video of my last ride.

Here's some photos of the springs.

flg8r22

iTrader: (1)

"The bucking feels like some really big dude is pushing and pulling really fast on the back of the truck while I'm driving, occurring mainly when I'm cruising at highway speeds, usually uphill, but it isn't related to a certain speed It's only when I'm on the gas. It stops as soon as I let off the gas."

I had these symptoms before and it turned out to be a cracked flywheel and a sheared gear in the rear end. Not sure which problem caused the other failure.

space-junk

iTrader: (1)

also might want to check your ujoints. if its binding, it could be causing the issues.

ShadowTek

I was worried it might be the flywheel which is why I went ahead and did the clutch kit, but the flywheel was fine, and all the bolts were tight.

Here I've cut a video of me taking off on the highway.

MaK92-4RnR

Some axle adjustment is to be expected on takeoff. I've never noticed axle wrap issues on a 22r/22re/v6 truck, what so ever. But it's pretty bad on my 67, even with aftermarket leaf springs and an under axle setup.

I had axle wrapping issues on my 4Runner when it had chevy 63s and 4" of block, but once i swapped to ALL pro springs with no blocks, The issue was resolved.

muddpigg

iTrader: (1)

Might be road surface, or a bit much pinion jump for a take off. U-joints???

space-junk

iTrader: (1)

i already suggested that.

muddpigg

iTrader: (1)

Ain't you a peach~ didn't see it before so....

x2 on what he said

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

I'm gonna go with some worn out leaf springs causing wrap. You can try some add a leafs or spring helpers, but those may only be temporary.

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

Notable damaged spring packs, strike one.
Notable double recurve at rest, strike two.
Surging due to spring tension letting loose bad enough you got concerned enough to research the causes, strike three!

Get new springs.

space-junk

iTrader: (1)

finally beat you to the punch on something. i want my gold star now.

muddpigg

iTrader: (1)

Sweet!!

ShadowTek

What's notable damage? I don't know anything about leafs.
I see that the edges of two of those C-clamp looking things that are bent out. I guess that's from too much separation of the leafs from over-travel?

There's no play in either of the flanges of the transfer case or rear differential. The front U-joint has no play. The rear U-joint has a slight hair's-worth of play. I don't think the rear U-joint is a problem, but I'll replace it anyway.

I went to a few local auto-parts stores to check prices. Looks like add-a-leafs are about half the cost of new springs. Seems like the smart money would be on new springs with new bushings.
The only place that could get complete springs was Oreillys, and all they could get is Pro Comp 33311. Those springs are listed as "4 inch lift", and judging by the threads I read on this forum, they sound like they're 4 inches of lift in addition to stock hight. So I guess that's not what I need. I'm happy with stock hight and 31" tires.
Funny that nobody around here can get stock springs.

muddpigg

iTrader: (1)

you can order. Depending on where you live parts can be hard to find. It's a surprise here if they carry even common parts like brakes, Toyota had to order order oil filters. Amazon is a friend. I'd be Leary of any aftermarket spring so research. Stock length lift springs suck ride and flex wise. Do some research on springs and whatever you get verify length.