I have a growling noise at low speed that sounds a lot like a bad wheel bearing, but it seems to go away with speed.

After noticing the front u joint on the rear shaft had some play (end play) I replaced it, just to be right back in the same spot.

It's like the yolk on the tcase streched or the ujoints are 1/32" to short across the trunion. With the dshaft installed and bolts tight I can slide the ujoint back and forth in the yolk. I can see the caps move under the straps that 1/32",like they're not tight enough.

What gives? Wrong size ujoint? Is the tcase yolk worn out? Did the straps stretch?

Also, any ideas on how to get the dshaft bolts at the rear axle out? They're rounded off and I want to take out my rear shaft to try and isolate this growling noise.

 

The whole cap is moving? Was the joint recently replaced? Maybe the u-bolts that retain them is distorted, definitely not good...Mark

 

Yes the whole cap moves. New ujoint,old one did the same thing.

 

The yoke is wore out.

 

Well since the output shaft seal on the tcase is leaking might as well do that too.

Is there anything in particular involved in changing that yoke? Any reason to upgrade while I'm at it?

Also I just noticed if I try to pull the tcase into 4hi while rolling(5-10mph) it grinds, where it usually will pull right in.

Is this possibly the growling noise I'm hearing?

 

Maybe it didn't have the correct u-joint in the first place...Mark

 

Are the straps worn or look oblonged ?

 

You need to measure the u-joint and yoke. Only way to know if it is the proper one to begin with.