Archived Remove Front Driveshaft ????

[Ereynolds72]

My '02 CTD truck has developed a vibration since I installed my "leveling kit". I took the front driveshaft loose from the axle to lower it enough to ket the new spings in. After I put everything back together, I now have this fine vibration that starts at about 45mph. If I just drive about 65 it seems to mellow out and if I excellerate, it gets increasingly worse. I have check both driveshafts and the u-joints are in excellent condition.



I would like to take the front driveshaft completely off for a little bit as a diagnostic test. Will I damage the transfer case if it doesn't have the front driveshaft on it? It would just be for a test run.

 

[DGStrate]

Nope - all will be fine without the front shaft...

Many 3rd Gen owners are using this as a diagnostic for vibration problems too...



Good Luck!

 

[KYLE4]

Did you have the alignment done after installing leveling kit might want to put that on diagnostic list also check track bar and ball joints

 

[SS]

Kyle is on to it - check your pinion anlge/caster. The front of the lower control arms have a cam washer on the axle bracket to adjust it. For the proper driveshaft angle you want the pinion pointed almost directly at the transfer case front output - maybe even 1-2 degrees above to account for windup. This may make your caster angle unacceptable for return to center feel, so find the best compromise since pinion angle and caster are not independently adjustable.



Oh! And loosen the control arm bolts with the weight of the truck on the ground and retighten them to specification - makes a difference in the ride if the bushings aren't all wound up. Good luck.

 

[Ereynolds72]

I appreciate your responses. It is literally at the alignment shop right now. It sounds like that could solve it.