Driveshaft play

[erickhoyos]

How much play should there be to the driveshaft, if there should be any at all? I was finally gonna take a look under my car since my car has always vibrated pretty bad when taking off from 1st and when I tried rotating my driveshaft there was a bit of play, I could move it about half an inch side to side. I don’t think that’s normal, if anyone can help me with it. As a side note the guibo, CSB and the CV joint have all been replaced less than 2 years ago.

*also don’t know how to upload a vid without uploading to YouTube and don’t want to do that so I have a clip on my Instagram story (erickhoyoss) lol shameful plug*

[Cubieman]

I wonder the same thing. Here is a video I made a while back of the driveshaft play I have on mine.

https://youtube.com/shorts/tmIfkucctuc

[kokgo20]

How much play should there be to the driveshaft, if there should be any at all? I was finally gonna take a look under my car since my car has always vibrated pretty bad when taking off from 1st and when I tried rotating my driveshaft there was a bit of play, I could move it about half an inch side to side. I don’t think that’s normal, if anyone can help me with it. As a side note the guibo, CSB and the CV joint have all been replaced less than 2 years ago.

*also don’t know how to upload a vid without uploading to YouTube and don’t want to do that so I have a clip on my Instagram story (erickhoyoss) lol shameful plug*

Are you sure it’s not your clutch that’s causing your vibration?

[bigjae46]

Should not be any side to side play in the driveshaft.


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[erickhoyos]

Are you sure it’s not your clutch that’s causing your vibration?

I worded it wrong, it’s more of a shudder than vibration. I don’t think so, it happens when slowly taking off from 1st or going into reverse. Whole car shakes pretty bad but then doesn’t do it after speeding up.

[mrgizmo04]

To properly isolate the driveshaft itself, you need a helper or two to hold the diff input yoke and the tranny output shaft stationary, and then rotate the front section of the driveshaft vs the rear/cv joint.

What you see in Cubie's video, is (I'm assuming tranny in gear and not neutral), slop from the tranny, potentially in the driveshaft, all the way through the diff (lash/clutches), diff output flanges, half axle inner and outer slop all the way to the wheel (where the wheel is held with a parking brake). So that doesn't show "driveshaft" play, that shows play in the entire driveline, which mostly is normal.

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[Cubieman]

To properly isolate the driveshaft itself, you need a helper or two to hold the diff input yoke and the tranny output shaft stationary, and then rotate the front section of the driveshaft vs the rear/cv joint.

What you see in Cubie's video, is (I'm assuming tranny in gear and not neutral), slop from the tranny, potentially in the driveshaft, all the way through the diff (lash/clutches), diff output flanges, half axle inner and outer slop all the way to the wheel (where the wheel is held with a parking brake). So that doesn't show "driveshaft" play, that shows play in the entire driveline, which mostly is normal.

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Yesterday I had someone hold the front of the driveshaft while I tried to turned the rear end to check for slop and it felt as though there was none (looking for DS U-joint slop).

That video I posted was with the transmission in neutral, that amount of rotational play is present at the front or rear, it was just easier to film at the front of the DS.

I currently have an issue with surging/bucking when getting on/off gas. The OP's issue sounds like it may be too much play in U-joint on driveshaft whereas my issue might be diff. related.

Is that amount of rotational play normal when transmission is in neutral? When in gear it rotates hardly at all compared to what you see in than video.

OP, Turner sells a remanned driveshafts for about $750 that also has replaceable u-joints, that would be nice. I think its just over $1000 then you send yours back as core and get $250.

[sapote]

That video I posted was with the transmission in neutral, that amount of rotational play is present at the front or rear, it was just easier to film at the front of the DS.

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This backlash is the clearance in the diff ring/pinion, and I think it’s normal.

When gear engaged, the backlash in the gears should be less than this.

[bigjae46]

There’s rotational play since there is backlash in the diff and transmission.

If there’s play when you grab the driveshaft and wiggle it...there’s something that’s worn out - CV, center bearing or guibo.

Should not be play. There should be a little free rotation.


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[kokgo20]

I worded it wrong, it’s more of a shudder than vibration. I don’t think so, it happens when slowly taking off from 1st or going into reverse. Whole car shakes pretty bad but then doesn’t do it after speeding up.

Are you a manual or smg?
how many miles on the car / clutch?
highly doubt the drive shaft can cause your issue unless it’s completely toasted but a worn out clutch or flywheel would cause that

[erickhoyos]

Are you a manual or smg?
how many miles on the car / clutch?
highly doubt the drive shaft can cause your issue unless it’s completely toasted but a worn out clutch or flywheel would cause that

SMG, almost 172k, pretty sure still on stock clutch.

[kokgo20]

SMG, almost 172k, pretty sure still on stock clutch.

My gut is telling me that’s your issue
try SMG adaptation with INPA or GT1 and see if it helps any

[bigjae46]

Probably need to get underneath and inspect the driveshaft closely. It’s going to come out if it’s a bad clutch either way.

As long as the center bearing is in good shape and the CV is greased then a driveshaft should rarely need to rebuilt or replaced.


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[Cubieman]

How common is it for the u-joint to go bad on these? As I understand this would be the only real reason to get a different driveshaft as the UJ isn't serviceable.

[erickhoyos]

My gut is telling me that’s your issue
try SMG adaptation with INPA or GT1 and see if it helps any

Thanks for the tip. Question now is if it is the clutch, what brand clutch/flywheel would be good for daily driving with a bit of spirited driving every once in a while? OEM or stage 1 is what I aim for