GEN 3 Front Driver side drive shaft

[Steadi]

Hi

Chasing a wierd noise coming from the front wheel/ transmission. May change wheel bearing but if that doesnt cure the problem I may be needing a front drive shaft.

If anyones breaking a Gen3 please let me know!

Mike

[TonyN]

Remove the front shaft and drive around, then you'll know.

[Steadi]

Eureka

Thanks Tony

Strangely I already thought of that... but the dealer was a bit unsure as he felt the bearings would fall apart.

Seems very sensible to me as long as there are no problems of the diff chucking its oil out through the shaft's hole?

Are drive shafts something you work on... strangely Basingstoke seems nearer to Kingston every day!

Mike

[TonyN]

I can change the UJ's for you.

The shafts bolt to pinion plates which are fixed in the diffs and t/case so unless you unto the nuts in the middle of the pinions it won't hurt. So as long as the 3rd gen is the same as all the pickups and 1st and 2nd gen Surfs.



I drove around for ages with no rear shaft and the truck in 4WD while it was getting it shortened in the pickup.

[Steadi]

Noise

Sorry about late reply!

Lifted the car on a chassis lifting ramp today so all 4 wheels were off the ground. Ran the transmission at 30mph and the noise had disappeared, this could be a result of the suspension letting the drive shafts sag but I would have thought this would make drive shaft noise worse as the angles are steeper.

It seems more likely that this is wheel bearing noise, lifting the vehicle has taken all the load off the bearings hence no noise!

Have decided to let the garage change the bearings and also those two troublesome thrust washers.

decided not to go back to dealer for repair as they could not test the truck in this way and their workshop seems limited to what their mecanic can fit in the back of his car.

Will let you all know how I get on,