88 lifted 4inches now rattling in 4x4 please

[kidn1980]

i put a 4inch lift on my blazer and now when im in 4x4 it makes this rattling noise. i changed my u joints still there. i could grab my front ds and move it almost like it wobbles in there. what is the fix thanks for helping.

 

[diesel4me]

The constant velocity joint yoke where the 2 u-joints are near the t-case has a "stub" that fits into a ball socket with needle bearings to keep the 2 joints centered,once that stub wears out or the ball & needle bearings go south,it'll let the shaft wobble around and make noise--it can also be caused by worn splines on the slip yoke or driveshaft too...seeing you have lifted the truck,its possible the driveshaft had to slide out more on the splines to reach the front axle ,leaving less of the splines in the yoke,which might let the yoke fit more sloppy,also the CV yoke can bind or rub due to the higher angle of the shaft,I have seen them rub on the crossmember also...

 

[kidn1980]

It didn't do it until I lifted the truck and yes the ds did come out a little....so how to fix it thank you for responding

 

[drivelineman]

It may be a little short along with needing a new spline and yoke to get rid of looseness there . Get a hold of a local driveline shop and get a quote . Jess

 

[kidn1980]

I took it to a shop and they said to much play and worn splines in slip yoke and ds so I am ordering another one...should be here Thursday. I'll keep you updated again thanks for responding

 

[kidn1980]

Ok so i ordered a new front ds installed it and shaved down ds knuckle as instruction to the 4 inch rough country lift kit says for maximum clearance on u joint. I put it in 4x4h ride down a little and clanking/clunking/knocking whatever sounds like it coming from tcase. Any help please thanks

 

[kidn1980]

This "stub" that diesel 4me talks about what is it called and how do I replace it.

 

[diesel4me]

On most of the driveshafts,that stub is part of the shaft itself...they sell rebuild kits but machining is required to make the new ball and needle bearings fit the stub,you had to turn down the stub on a lathe ,sometimes they would spray weld it and then machine it to size---at least thats how it was done 20 years ago,today they probably reccomend scrapping the shaft since everything is disposeable nowadays..

On old trucks that had a yoke like a differential on the front output shaft,the ball socket dewhickey was part of the driveshaft yoke that bolted to the t-case yoke with 4 bolts ,5/16" x about 2" long,the ball socket part of the yoke had 4 threaded holes in it...so the ball socket & needle bearings could easily be replaced,but if the "stub" they ride on was worn,you'd have to have it re-worked at a machine shop..later ones with the big "ring" with 4 bigger bolts had the ball socket made into the CV yoke assembly..

 

[kidn1980]

Ok we'll I think I got the old one cause I have 4 bolts, 5/16 ...the ball socket part of the yoke with the 4 threaded holes, what are the ball socket & needle bearing called...also how would I know if this part is bad thank you so much for responding

 

[diesel4me]

If your ball socket dewhickey looks like the one in the lower right hand corner of the photo with several yokes shown,that is the "old" style...you can buy that threaded yoke peice with the ball socket and needle bearings ..

The other style with the large round ring evidently can be bought also,they were not available back when I sold parts at typical parts stores,you had to go to a dealer or driveline supplier...on both styles the "stub" is what usually wears the most ,the needle bearings rust up and wear a wavy grooved pattern on the stub or it wears down and lets the stub flop around in the ball socket's bearings..

 

[kidn1980]

If you don't mind can your send those pics to my email I don't have access to see them [email protected] thanks

 

[diesel4me]

I found them on Google by typing in constant velocity joint and clicking "images"...I'd e-mail them to you if I knew how,I'm still pretty stupid when it comes to using the computer--took me 13 years to accidentally find out how to upload snapshots and link them to a post ...still cant "copy & paste" or do 9008 other things I should be able to after 30 days of using one..

 

[kidn1980]

Ok I looked it up and got the jist of it but what would I order. Another question should I rebuild the t-case or look on Craigslist for one, what is a good company to order a complete kit from

 

[diesel4me]

I've never rebuilt a transfer case,never had too really--I'd just go get a used one from a salvage yard or swap meet or on craigslist if it were me...as for buying a rebuild kit I'm not much help there either,but I have seen ads for "DTS" (Drive Train Specialists) that have kits available for transfer cases..others here will probably have more info than I do on rebuilding one or where to buy parts..

The part your looking to buy for the driveshaft,if its like the one in the lower RH picture is a "CV centering yoke"..I remember buying one in Neapco brand for my 72 K5 for about 20 bucks eons ago...if the stub on the shaft is worn though,replacing that wont help much or for long unless its re-worked by a machine shop...seeing your stock front shaft might now need to be longer anyway,it might be wise to buy a new driveshaft custom made to the specs you need and get it over with..