Looks like they're OK. The way you fix it is to pull the slipyoke apart and put it back together.

 

So this didn't just happen where it slipped 90 degrees? I will get under there this week, but I'm still worried that this isn't the case to my problem. Do I rotate the half connected to the diff or the TC?

 

that's the front shaft, right? the joint at the xfer case / cardan joint?
that u-joint, looks like it's worn.

 

TO add to that, here's why its important they are "timed" or "in phase"

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...ies/ujoint.avi
See how the driveshaft accelerates and decelerates while the speed of what would be the diff pinion flange and the T-case output flange stay constant? In this animation, the Ujoints are in phase. If the two u-joints are out of phase, then there will be some vibration because that acceleration won't be cancelled out between the U joints..

From 4Crawler's page http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...line-101.shtml


BUT I don't think that's your problem as you wold have to have done some driveshaft work recently and it wouldn't be intermittent.

 

I will replace the ujoints this week. Does anyone know if I can drive without the front driveshaft for a couple of days?

 

Absolutely - no problem.

 

I had the same problem you did and replaced both u-joints replaced all ball joint all tie rods and still had the problem until today. I took my truck to my brothers tire shop and he checked the idler arm and low and behold it was way out of wack. I tested it myself but with the front tires on the ground it felt good. But he tested on his alignment rack where the tires where on a rotated disc and you could easly tell it was bad. I replaced and problem fixed

 

Did you just give the tires a good shake? Or is there a better way to check this part?

 

OK, the problem is still the same, but I have done a bit more trouble shooting.

1. I had the truck on a lift and inspected everything I could think of to make sure it was tight. I gave the tires a good shake and everything seemed nice and tight.

2. I removed the front drive shaft for a week and that has no effect. I can then rule out U-joints.

3. I can't pin it down, but seems to be coming from the front right area.

4. I also found that by hitting the brakes, it will silence the problem for a bit. I think before it was doing the same as shifting into or out of 4WD.

All I can think of is the wheel bearings. I will have to wait until next weekend when I can retrieve my "big ass socket" to take the hub off and have a look.

 

Hi,
I've got a 95 4runner 4x4 and about a month ago it started to vibrate on low speeds and increase at around 40mph. I always thought the problem was up front cause that's where I would feel the vibrate, but I was wrong. Today, after reading all the posts about U-Joints, I've decided to put the 4runner up on jacks and put it in gear. Well, that's when I've discovered that the rear driveshaft (DS) wobbled insanly, so I killed the engine and gave the rear DS a good tug and viola, the front U-Joint of the rear DS has gone bad and needs to be replaced. I havn't done the job yet, but I'm 96% sure this is the problem and will cure the vibration.

Since I drove the 4runner for a month in this condition, I've also damaged the short shaft of the 2 peice rear DS, so now I need to locate one before installing a new U-Joint. I've got a question:
Will a rear DS from a Manual trans work on an Auto trans 4runner? I'd like to find the part at a local junk yard.

Thanks,
DJ

 

I bet you didn't damage anything but the U-joint.

My u-joints are not the problem. I've had both shafts off and they are just fine. I have had u-joints go and have replaced them. This is not a u-joint. I will be pulling the front hubs this weekend and checking the wheel bearings.

 

Update: The problem went away after rebuilding the outer assembly of the LF wheel. I greased everything up and put it back together. This was also about the time that the weather warmed up for the year (April), so I still don't know if it was a cold weather issue, or something else. I didn't find anything obvious when I rebuilt it.

 

well then, thats good news, isn't it!