Play in drive shafts

johnnyoxford · Feb 10, 2010

I have a knocking noise when I drop the clutch quickly, I have learned to drive carefully and it is not there, I am guessing I have some play somewhere in the drivshafts.

I got underneath today, all in neautral, handbrake off, and I would say I have about 1/16th of a turn of play in the shaft coming out of the handbrake drum towards the back of the van, and a similar amount of play in the shaft coming to the front axle.

I have read varying reports from others of more than this amount of play.

What is normal? What else should I check? Also seen something on other threads about an A fram joint. I can see this under the vehicle, but not sure what its fro or how to check it?

Any help please guys?

Thanks

Johnny.

andyb66 · Feb 10, 2010

johnnyoxford said:
I got underneath today, all in neautral, handbrake off, and I would say I have about 1/16th of a turn of play in the shaft coming out of the handbrake drum towards the back of the van, and a similar amount of play in the shaft coming to the front axle.

I have read varying reports from others of more than this amount of play.

What is normal? What else should I check?

To eliminate spline wear as the source of the problem you need to remove the round inspection plate by the hand brake drum. At about the 10 o'clock position. It is a ring of 6/8 bolts. Once off do the same as you did above but watch the relative movement of the gear wheel to the splined shaft in it's centre. They should both move pretty much at the same time. The 1/16th movement is probably due to backlash in the gears.

HTH

johnnyoxford · Feb 10, 2010

thanks

if it is spline wear, I suppose I can do nothing about it ? Short of changing the gearbox and both shafts ?

I think if that is the case I will live with it and wait for it to fail, and deal with it then.

What about this "A frame" thingy? Any advice on that?

Trewey · Feb 10, 2010

it's yer A frame ball joint.

andyb66 · Feb 11, 2010

johnnyoxford said:
What about this "A frame" thingy? Any advice on that?

Look at your rear axle. At the middle on top, just above the diff there is a ball joint with two arms that go diagonally forward to the chassis. This is the a-frame ball joint and a-frame. If the ball joint is/has worn then this will also show up as a clunk when changing gear.

Changing the ball joint will move often than not require a hydralic press.....

......cue list of people who have done it on the side of the road with a toffee hammer

Trewey · Feb 11, 2010

andyb66 said:
Changing the ball joint will move often than not require a hydralic press.....

......cue list of people who have done it on the side of the road with a toffee hammer

nah - but it does need a big vice and a lump ammer.

johnnyoxford · Feb 11, 2010

i have access to a 10 ton press, as well as a big vice and a variety of "big ammers"

Can the balljoint be bought as a seperate item? Or must I change the whole frame?

I think I am going to buy a polybush kit and do all of them this spring. Would the A frame be included in that?

Thanks for your help.

Added:

http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/WEB...(WEB_EXCLUSIVE_SPECIAL_OFFER_-_DEFENDER).html

is this the beast??

bustersbus · Feb 11, 2010

johnnyoxford said:
i have access to a 10 ton press, as well as a big vice and a variety of "big ammers"

Can the balljoint be bought as a seperate item? Or must I change the whole frame?

I think I am going to buy a polybush kit and do all of them this spring. Would the A frame be included in that?

Thanks for your help.

Aye ye can buy the ball joint seperately and it's easier tae remove it by takin' the bit off the A-frame before stickin' it in the press.
This might give ye an idea on how tae take it apart fur stickin' yer new bushes in...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/upper-link-frame-bushes-renewal-65602.html

Trewey · Feb 11, 2010

Ball joint can be bought separately - just make sure it aint Britpart.

Polybushes are crap - fit new genuine ones and she'll be good for another 15 years. Fit poly's and you'll be doing it again in 6 months.

dazzx10r · Feb 11, 2010

johnnyoxford said:
i have access to a 10 ton press, as well as a big vice and a variety of "big ammers"

Can the balljoint be bought as a seperate item? Or must I change the whole frame?

I think I am going to buy a polybush kit and do all of them this spring. Would the A frame be included in that?

Thanks for your help.

Hahaha, like your style! are you a steelworker by any chance? I also have access to a very large press and some nice bloody big hammers

!

johnnyoxford · Feb 11, 2010

thanks Buster, I have been reading your guides with interest - very good job.

Would the bush(es) required for the A frame be included in a polybush kit?

bustersbus · Feb 12, 2010

johnnyoxford said:
thanks Buster, I have been reading your guides with interest - very good job.

Would the bush(es) required for the A frame be included in a polybush kit?

Ye're welcome

Aye, if ye buy the full poly kit it has all the bushes needed to do the job. When ah did all my bushes, ah renewed ALL the nuts and bolts as well more so for piece of mind. If ye're happy with yer bolts then at least change the nuts as most of them are nylocs and remember to torque them up tae the right settin's

bustersbus · Feb 12, 2010

Here's a couple of photies of what Andy was on about earlier...

Play in drive shafts

johnnyoxford

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andyb66

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johnnyoxford

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Trewey

Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

andyb66

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Trewey

Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

johnnyoxford

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bustersbus

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Trewey

Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

dazzx10r

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johnnyoxford

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bustersbus

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bustersbus

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