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ab_slack
Well-Known Member
Having resolved the transfer case manual shifter cam plate position issue this weekend, it reminded me of the much bigger problem brewing in my front drivetrain which would be great to get resolved before snow season (doubtful on that).
87 BII, Manual trans, manual transfer case, stock drivetrains.
Basic problem is that when I have the front hubs locked there is excessive noise from the front end including a an occasional ping (not loud) a bit like someone tapping a large heavy piece of metal with a small ball peen hammer with a light swing of just a few inches. The noise is louder than any of the other BIIs I have ever had. The best way I can describe the overall noise it is about as loud as I have experienced in the others if I only locked one hub (done that by accident a few times) except for that occasional ping (maybe once every 5 or 10 seconds) which is unique here
Yesterday when under working on the cam plate, I was looking at the front drive shaft. With both hubs unlocked it seemed to turn freely. When turning the drive shaft I noticed that the passenger side output shaft from the differential turned mostly with the driver hardly turning. I am not sure if that indicates anything or not. I didn't try turning either of the output shafts to see if they turned freely. I suppose that is an easy check. (I do know there is potential for issues on the driver side as that is where I had a collapsed brake line causing the caliper not to release and causing the whole rotor assembly, wheel and hub to get very hot.).
There is one thing I have a specific question on. When checking the front drive shaft, I didn't see any play in either u-joint and the end attached to the front differential seemed tight. At the u-joint at the transfer case end, if I pushed sideways on the joint there was a small amount of movement. Maybe a 1/16th of an inch. I don't think it was as much as 1/8th inch, but hard to tell. The movement isn't in the joint but rather it seems going into the transfer case is moving. It is like there is a bit of slop in the splines (is that right? splines is what the shaft slides into in the transfer case)
Is some movement there normal? If not, what is the likely problem?
Other than these questions, any other suggestions or pointers where to look/check for problems with the front drivetrain?
I should mention that I ran it this way last winter with snow on the ground when I needed. Distances were short and I only locked the hubs as needed. I usually lock them for the season so I can shift on the fly.
87 BII, Manual trans, manual transfer case, stock drivetrains.
Basic problem is that when I have the front hubs locked there is excessive noise from the front end including a an occasional ping (not loud) a bit like someone tapping a large heavy piece of metal with a small ball peen hammer with a light swing of just a few inches. The noise is louder than any of the other BIIs I have ever had. The best way I can describe the overall noise it is about as loud as I have experienced in the others if I only locked one hub (done that by accident a few times) except for that occasional ping (maybe once every 5 or 10 seconds) which is unique here
Yesterday when under working on the cam plate, I was looking at the front drive shaft. With both hubs unlocked it seemed to turn freely. When turning the drive shaft I noticed that the passenger side output shaft from the differential turned mostly with the driver hardly turning. I am not sure if that indicates anything or not. I didn't try turning either of the output shafts to see if they turned freely. I suppose that is an easy check. (I do know there is potential for issues on the driver side as that is where I had a collapsed brake line causing the caliper not to release and causing the whole rotor assembly, wheel and hub to get very hot.).
There is one thing I have a specific question on. When checking the front drive shaft, I didn't see any play in either u-joint and the end attached to the front differential seemed tight. At the u-joint at the transfer case end, if I pushed sideways on the joint there was a small amount of movement. Maybe a 1/16th of an inch. I don't think it was as much as 1/8th inch, but hard to tell. The movement isn't in the joint but rather it seems going into the transfer case is moving. It is like there is a bit of slop in the splines (is that right? splines is what the shaft slides into in the transfer case)
Is some movement there normal? If not, what is the likely problem?
Other than these questions, any other suggestions or pointers where to look/check for problems with the front drivetrain?
I should mention that I ran it this way last winter with snow on the ground when I needed. Distances were short and I only locked the hubs as needed. I usually lock them for the season so I can shift on the fly.
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