Front Driveshaft Issue

[Rdoug4]

Purchased a 1999 TJ with what appears to be a homemade lift kit running 35 tires. I have replaced the lift kit with a rough country, long arm 4 to 6 inches. Axles are G2 front and rear. After installing the lift, I took the jeep to an off-road shop and had them align everything and inspect my install. After a couple hundred miles started to get squeaking and binding noise. Dove into the problem today and the issue is the front driveshaft. See photo. I am guessing this is not the stock original driveshaft. When trying to remove the driveshaft, I had absolutely zero movement to reduce the length of the driveshaft to pull it away from the yolks with the U-joints. Finally got the driveshaft out by removing tires and articulating the front axle to Lengthen the driveshaft itself. Questions I have is the front axle adjusted too far back, thus reducing the length of the driveshaft, wheels are centered in the wheel wells. Or is the driveshaft the wrong size for the now configured lift?

 

[Ashim]

I'd guess the shaft is the wrong length. Best bet is to order a new shaft from Tom Woods. Give them the measurement between yokes and it will be made to the proper length.

 

[Rubiconned]

The OEM front driveshaft is absolutely compatible with the RC LA 4-6" lift. You either don't have an OEM driveshaft or your alignment guy effed up.

 

[Rdoug4]

I'd guess the shaft is the wrong length. Best bet is to order a new shaft from Tom Woods. Give them the measurement between yokes and it will be made to the proper length.

Yes ordering a new driveshaft is a option, but first I have to understand what’s going on. I’m one of those people that like to understand the issue, the old saying What - Why - How!

 

[Rdoug4]

The OEM front driveshaft is absolutely compatible with the RC LA 4-6" lift. You either don't have an OEM driveshaft or your alignment guy effed up.

Do you know how much collapse movement the driveshaft would normally have. I mean, sliding closed all the way till it’s bottom out, if the front axle is in the right position?

 

[Rubiconned]

Do you know how much collapse movement the driveshaft would normally have. I mean, sliding closed all the way till it’s bottom out, if the front axle is in the right position?

I have no idea. You should contact Tom Woods. He should be able to determine if that's the original driveshaft and what the shortest length should be.

 

[John Cooper]

@Shawn at Tom Wood's

That should alert the guru!!!!!

 

[Shawn at Tom Wood's]

I think the drive shaft was always the wrong length and the journey you embarked upon by installing the lift led you to that discovery. Put the axle where you want it in the wheel well, the drive shaft should then be made or ordered to fit. The shaft you have looks like an aftermarket shaft, maybe it was never the right length. TJ front shafts are usually in the range of 39-41 inches, in their running position, maybe someone at some point got a shaft that "fits a TJ" but is on the longer end of that spectrum, too long for your TJ.

 

[Rickyd]

Is the driveshaft slip seized up or just bottomed out? You should check the pinion and tcase yokes for side to side and in out play. The bearings won't like what the driveshaft has been doing

 

[Rdoug4]

I think the drive shaft was always the wrong length and the journey you embarked upon by installing the lift led you to that discovery. Put the axle where you want it in the wheel well, the drive shaft should then be made or ordered to fit. The shaft you have looks like an aftermarket shaft, maybe it was never the right length. TJ front shafts are usually in the range of 39-41 inches, in their running position, maybe someone at some point got a shaft that "fits a TJ" but is on the longer end of that spectrum, too long for your TJ.

The part number that is stamped on the axle shows that it is for a Jeep TJ. I am starting to lean towards the front axle is too far back and that it is a G2 (Dana 44 after market) , which made the driveshaft too long for the set up.

 

[tworley]

After a couple hundred miles started to get squeaking and binding noise. Dove into the problem today and the issue is the front driveshaft.

Squeaking and chirping is pretty indicative that the double cardan joint is on its way out and in your picture the centering ball looks awfully dry...

Questions I have is the front axle adjusted too far back, thus reducing the length of the driveshaft, wheels are centered in the wheel wells. Or is the driveshaft the wrong size for the now configured lift?

Remove the springs, cycle your axle to full bump/droop. This will tell you a lot; 1) the amount of travel the driveshaft sees, 2) Whether or not your current driveshaft is too long or too short, 3) if your bumpstops are set correctly, 4) if your bumpstops line up at full stuff (don't look at if the wheels are centered in the wheel well or not)

 

[Rdoug4]

Is the driveshaft slip seized up or just bottomed out? You should check the pinion and tcase yokes for side to side and in out play. The bearings won't like what the driveshaft has been doing

Ricky’s, good point will double check this!

 

[Rdoug4]

Squeaking and chirping is pretty indicative that the double cardan joint is on its way out and in your picture the centering ball looks awfully dry...



Remove the springs, cycle your axle to full bump/droop. This will tell you a lot; 1) the amount of travel the driveshaft sees, 2) Whether or not your current driveshaft is too long or too short, 3) if your bumpstops are set correctly, 4) if your bumpstops line up at full stuff (don't look at if the wheels are centered in the wheel well or not)

Thanks John

 

[Rdoug4]

Is the driveshaft slip seized up or just bottomed out? You should check the pinion and tcase yokes for side to side and in out play. The bearings won't like what the driveshaft has been doing

It had maybe 3/16 of movement after unbolting the ujoints. Everything looks solid. I don’t know what to say.

 

[Rdoug4]

It had maybe 3/16 of movement after unbolting the ujoints. Everything looks solid. I don’t know what to say.

Sorry the I don’t know what to say came from the TV when I had the microphone on