Help please! Rear wheel hub/drive shaft play. Got bad vibrations...

[45-70]

Hi!
See video
Because of a really bad vibration creeping up on the truck, I jacket it up and started yanking stuff.
This don't look too good to me
Where is the problem? Inside the differential?
Exactly the same play on both sides/hubs.
Could this be the reason for my vibration?

Wheel hub play

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[Dirtman]

In and out play like that is completely normal on a C-clip style axle. Yours may be a tad excessive. Hard to tell from a video (you should measure it), but in any case it is likely not your source of the vibration. You want to check for any play side to side, any play there indicates a bad axle shaft bearing. (Or any oil leakage around the shaft seal).

Also check u-joints, look for missing wheel weights, have your tires been balanced recently? Check for missing weights on the brake drums, check the driveshaft for missing weights or dents, check the front brakes for warped rotors, sticking calipers etc. When's the last time it had an alignment? Check the ball joints and tie rod ends....

 

[45-70]

In and out play like that is completely normal on a C-clip style axle. Yours may be a tad excessive. Hard to tell from a video (you should measure it), but in any case it is likely not your source of the vibration. You want to check for any play side to side, any play there indicates a bad axle shaft bearing. (Or any oil leakage around the shaft seal).

Also check u-joints, look for missing wheel weights, have your tires been balanced recently? Check for missing weights on the brake drums, check the driveshaft for missing weights or dents, check the front brakes for warped rotors, sticking calipers etc. When's the last time it had an alignment? Check the ball joints and tie rod ends....

Wow...
Thanx Dirtman! The play is about 1/4" i'd guess.

The vibration sneaked up, it didn't come in stages. First arround 50mph, then lower and lower speed. Especially bad when giving gas.
The vibration frequensy is not aligned with the speed of the wheels. It allso abruptly stops if I let go of the gas pedal.
Could it be the engine mounts! I cant jerk arround the motor by hand, but how do I check them easiest? Don't wanna lift the whole engine just to check...

 

[franklin2]

Check the u-joints on the driveshaft like he recommended.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I had the same issue, swapping to a one piece driveshaft with new u joints solved it. No more vibration.

 

[45-70]

Okay. I cant feel any play in them

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Besides the play, check driveshaft for dents or missing weights. It may be out of balance. Maybe check the transmission mount and center support bearing (if you have one).

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Nevermind, Dirtman mentioned that already. hmmm maybe pop the diff cover and check the teeth?

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, that in and out play is completely normal, like Dirtman said. More than that, it is needed. Without it you can't disassemble the axle and take the shafts out for service.

A 1/4 is about right. If it gets excessive the cross pin would need replaced.

 

[franklin2]

Okay. I cant feel any play in them

Make sure you chock the wheels and then take the transmission out of gear. This will take any pressure off the driveline which can mask a bad u-joint. Your driveshaft turns 3.5-4 times faster than the tires, so keep that in mind when troubleshooting vibrations.