The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Play in tailshaft

I had to replace my front u joint today.It had been vibrating off and on for a while but the u joints seemed tight every time I checked them. I finally found some play in the front one today so I just went ahead and replaced the rear one too. When I was checking them I noticed that there was a little up and down play in the tail shaft of the 3 speed transmission.It was also hot. It is not a lot of play and not so hot that you can't grab ahold of it. The drive line that goes into the transmission is also hot after going down the highway. I have never felt it after driving it before so I don't know if this is normal or not. The seal has been leaking since I put the transmission in a few weeks ago but the u joints did seem to fix the vibrating problems. Are the bearings bad in the back of my transmission or is this normal?
Thanks a lot,
Gene

What type of drivetrain? Open or closed? If closed, are you putting gear oil in the ball the u joint goes in? It need about a pint of gear oil to stay happy.

It is an open drive line on a '59 Apache.

You will have a little play in the tail shaft. Remember, there is an input shaft going into the transmission supported by one bearing and likely floating on needle bearings where it connects to the tail shaft which is also supported by only one bearing.

A little play is okay, a lot isn't.

Jeff

How about the temperature?