Landcruiser Tailshafts

[kathy]

We have major issues with a front tailshaft out of our 4 speed 82 mod 60 series. We replaced the box and cleaned the shaft while it was out and i think we have done somethin...terribly wrong.
it shakes and vibrates badly. it is one of those double joint type shafts,
Do we have it the wrong way round?? Does that double joint bit go at the transfer end or the diff (front) end

someone told us (after we had it out and in again) that we should mark it in as many spots possibe to make sure it goes in right....ooops too late

What have we done, and more importantly, Can we fix it?

Any help appreciated.

[dumbdunce]

there are two main things that will cause vibrations with landcruiser tailshafts.

1. misalignment of the universal joint yokes - the universal joints at both ends of the shaft should be in-phase, that is the trunnions (the little 4-legged bits in the middle of the joints) should all be lined up. If this is hard to visualise I can draw a picture. - BUT this should not be a problem with your shaft if it has a double-cardan joint at one end. (The double cardan joint goes at the transfer case end).

2. over-greasing - if you were over-enthusiastic with the grease in the slip joint when you were putting it back together, this can create a constant pressure on the shaft at the diff and transfer which greatly amplifies the matural osciallation of the shaft - the qyick fix is to remove the grease nipple on the slip joint, and take it for a drive to cycle the suspension to push out any excess greases.

other info on your truck could also be helpful - age, km, suspension lift, tyres etc - anything else you might have changed at the same time to cause a vibration? there is a possibility that the double cardan joint is worn out in the ball and socket - if this is the case the cheapest and easiest fix is a replacement shaft from a wrecker.

cheers

Brian

[beanz2]

Did the driveshaft halves get separated when you were cleaning it? The slip yoke must be reinserted in the same position as before or the balance will be off. Pull it apart again and reinsert such that the yokes on both ends are oriented exactly the same. Try driving it, if it still vibrates, pull out the slip yoke and turn it 180 degrees and retry.

Cheers,
Dave

[kathy]

Well good news to be had. Hubby pulled it apart today to find the following. It is 130mm shorter than a 82 model ute tailshaft, ute had no cardon joint. Tailshaft was inserted correctly with cardon on transfer side, however, the grease nipples were opposed. Yes it looks like when we cleaned it and seperated the slip joint, it went in 180 around wrong way. Just so happens that there was a weight on the opposed side with nipples which was throwing the balance. What a lesson well learnt.
Apart from that the other point that did come up was the differences between shaft lengths and pinion mounting hole differences, very confusing.

Thanks all for your help, another happier cruiser driver