Excessive Front driveshaft play

[BEEBOB]

So guys how much play is too much. My 87 K5 front drive shaft is missing the little dust boot that is supposed to cover the splines. Not sure how long it has been missing.
But when I grap it it just seems to bee too much slack up and down. I found this after searching out bad steering problems. I changed the drivers side steering links. Got better but still got some. I vibes not bad till I get to higher speeds. So any help is good.

 

[dyeager535]

Are you talking high speed 4WD, or high speed 2WD? In 2WD you might get some shaft movement, but it's parasitic drag and I wouldn't imagine ever enough force to induce vibration. This movement, I assume you mean if you push up (from under the shaft) where both halves of the shaft engage, it has "vertical" play?

This apparently is a pretty common issue. With the combination of most people never lubing them, and your missing dust cover, I'm guessing your splines are in bad shape. Easy test, remove the front u-joint from the diff and separate it, see what the splines look like.

 

[tRustyK5]

Yep, splines are worn...there shouldn't be any vertical play at all. You should only be getting vibes with the hubs locked and at higher speeds though. If you're chasing vibes I'd remove the front shaft entirely and go from there.

Chances are it's a rear shaft angularity issue, or bad joint back there.

 

[Blue85]

It's common for the slip splines to wear. Replacing them gets close to the cost of a whole new shaft. You can check junkyards, but it seems like most of them coming through are loose. Keep an eye on the classifieds here and maybe something will come up.

In the meantime, just stay in 2WD or go slow in 4WD and it won't cause you any trouble.

 

[clandr1]

On a related note, who do you guys like for new, replacement drive shafts? I'm looking at replacing my front (same problems as OP describes) and possibly my rear.

Want to stay away from Autozone type replacements.

 

[dyeager535]

Was just looking at that stuff today. Not sure if Jess from High Angle Driveline is still a vendor here or not, but I won a rear driveshaft from him on one of the old giveaways here, and it hasn't given me any problems.

When I'm going for a replacement one, will probably go with him. Locally, one of two driveline places closed up, and they were certainly not cheap in either case. I will probably get a CV rear, Jess advised me of that when we were working on mine, but I was cheap and dumb.

 

[Deuling]

Tom woods

 

[Blue85]

I bought both shafts from this guy and have been running them for years with no problems:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FRONT-CV-DRIVESHAFT-1977-TO1992-CHEVY-SUBURBAN-GMC-JIM-BLAZER-CUSTOM-LENGTHS-/250890129887?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a6a3791df&vxp=mtr

His price is very good. The shaft is the same as stock, but with a longer slip joint and any length you want. It's actually just $35 more than the best price I found for rebuilding my stock front shaft with new slip joint. The longer splines also stay tight longer because there is more overlap.

I know the link won't last forever, but his store should stay up - it's Taton's Driveshafts: http://stores.ebay.com/TATTONS-DRIVESHAFTS?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

If you want thicker tubing or anything different just contact him and he'll set it up. (BTW, .120 wall DOM is the same thing HAD or Tom Woods will use unless you request something thicker from them).