Drive train vibration started suddenly last week, but only at 20 to 30 km/hr. There was no transmission oil on the stick, the tranny/drive shaft flange central retaining bolt was loose, the bushingwas worn andoil seal was leaky. The tranny rubber bung support was degraded and falling apart and the center bearing boot has 1/16" clearance with cage. The universal joints seem to be tight.

I replaced the tranny/drive shaft flange bushing, oil seal and support bung and the vibration gotworse. There is a "sweet" rpm at 50 km/hr when vibration almost gone, otherwise, quite severe above 20 km/hr and worsens under load.

I noticed a creaking sound at the rear universal when turning the drive shaft, but there does not seem to be any slop in the bearing. Loosening the center bearing cage bolts does not change vibration characteristics. The drive shaft counterweight is in place.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

 

As you probably guessed,one of the universal joints was partially seized. It turned out to be the drivetrain universal and only one needle bearing cage was dried up. This damage appeared to be unrelated to the support and bearingdegradation at the transmission.

Replacement was uneventful - used a large bench vice and a sockets to press out the old and press in the new. I kept the entire drive assembly together to minimize the number of changes. Vibration is gone for now.




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