Got it apart today. I thought I'd check the U-joints first. I disconnected the front one, and it looked fine. While I had the drive shaft in my hands, I turned it and noticed excessive slack at the rear. So I removed the rear U-joint, and it too, was fine. The nut on the yoke on the rear end was loose, so the yoke was moving too much. It was a lock nut with splits, not nylon. I checked with several auto parts stores but could not find a replacement, so I put it in the vise and hammered the edges so it would lock. Then I cranked it on and tightened it up.
At the beginning of the test drive I thought I was a real smart guy mechanic. But then a few blocks later the noise was back just like before.
The nut had backed off the yoke again, so it was loose, and the noise again.
I took it apart and inspected, but this time the spring around the inside was all scrunched up and torn. Was I in error to tighten the nut down tightly?
This rear end has leaked oil from the front seal ever since I got it. So I think it needs to come apart anyway.
There is approx 1/8" rotational play and about the same 1/8" or so front to back play in the gears right now. Maybe slightly more.
If this all needs to come apart and out, will I need to take the entire assembly out, axles brakes etc, all of it? Or do I take apart just the pumpkin?
Would pics help?
Should I have a real transmission shop set-up the gears? or is this a DIY job?
thanks for advice,
