checking the rear drive-shaft

[coolio2281]

when your checking the rear drive-shaft, you drive the truck for a min or so then you put it in neutral and get under her and check the u-joints ect...when i got under mine i noticed when it was in neutral i could spin the shaft about 1/3 of a turn then it locks up, then i can turn it back another 1/3 of a turn...this normal?

 

[Krafty]

yes this is normal, with the transmission in neutral the only stoping the drive shaft from spinning is the wheels on the ground.

how you really check your driveshaft is to put it in park so the transmission is keeping the front yoke from turning much. then you look for anything thats is moving more or less than the part it is connected to. if its in neutral then being all loosy goosey like that then all you can really tell is how much everything will move till the wheels stop it. the driveshaft has to be locked on both sides ( tires on ground and transmission in park)to isolate and check for movement in the driveshaft.

are there any other symptoms that are prompting you to check your drive shaft?

 

[coolio2281]

i keep havings this gut feelings my rear axel/differential is just shot, the trucks got 190,000 miles, but the engine/transmission/t-case have all be rebuilt, and ive disconnected the front shaft to the front axle due to it was completely shot so i took it off to further any more problems...when ever i put her into gear if i put her from Park-Reverse the whole trucks just squats down about 2 inches, the when iam driving if i let off on the gas then abck on i can hear/feel this clunking as if there are teeth missing or sumthing on the rear ring/pinion, ive talked about this before on here but iam trying everything i can to rule out this rear axle, i caint be the only one depending on our bronco's as our daily driver and still be hurting bad from the economy..