Prop shaft question

Sorry if it seems a little simplistic.....

My front propshaft can be wiggled a little bit when stationary. Is this ok or is something worn? Only moves 5mm or so in each direction.

Sorry if I seem like a hypocondriact but just wondered!!!

Where's the movement? Is it in the yokes of the prop or in the output shaft of the transfer box?

Sorry...a bit of a novice!

I grab the tube as it runs from the box at the front under the body to the box in the middle.

Which direction does the prop move in when you 'wiggle it'... and which bit of the prop is the movement most evident in - it will be either the yokes at the ends or it won't be the prop itself, it seem to be the flange the prop bolts to at the transfer box end.

If you mean the prop can be rotated a little then don't sweat it... anything up to about a quarter of a turn is normal.

Ah I see, I did not explain very clearly did I!!??

Yes, the prop itself revolves..not in and out of the boxes.

I was only worried as the rear one did not move at all....

Chock the wheels (well, or you'll be running yourself over in a minute) release the hand brake, and try the rear shaft as well. |You'll probably find it is the same as the front.

Ah! as I say, I find with forums that I become a bit of a hypocondriact and begin "looking" for problems before they arrive!

o fella i'm the same, i'm like "whats that squeeking!!wats that knocking!!it dint drive like this 2 minutes ago!!is that meant to wobble!!is that what they call too much play!!"

Sorry, should have made myself clearer. I was trying to reassure him the front was probably no worse than the back, in other words, both OK, not suggest the back was faulty too!

dude , park it up on level land , release hand brake and leave out of gear.
chock the wheels if it makes you feel better.

wiggle the prop. it will turn a quarter turn.
now push it up and down and side to side at both ends where the universal joint it , there should be no movement what so ever, hold the flange on the diff then try to rotate the prop , it should be solid , repeat on gear box end.
you are trying to accertain wether or not the two universal joints , one at either end , are worn. any play in these joints indicate a worn uj and it will need replacing.

in the middle of the prop is a sliding joint , grab both ends either side of the joint and try to rotate in different directions , there should be no play here either , wear here will mean a new prop.

only use hardy spicer props and uj's. they are made by gkn driveline and anything less is just crap. these are oem parts and not crappy pattern parts.

also grease the uj's and the sliding joint regularly with a decent grease.
i use this on my wheel bearings and props. i receantly stripped my rear hubs to replace the brakes and after a year of abuse the grease still looked as good as new.

Silkolene Pro RG2 Motocross