rotational slop in driveshaft...Normal???

So I picked up my new to me 07 sport, and noticed that every time I stop and then take off, or let off of the throttle and get back on it, I get a clunk from the driveshaft engaging. I've gotten under the truck in park, and can rotate the driveshaft about an inch. It feels like a U joint is junk, but they're all good. When I wiggle it by hand, the entire driveshaft rotates about an inch from the T-case to the rear diff. The vehicle has a certified warranty, and is covered bumper to bumper for 3mos, and pwr train for the next few years.

Is this normal for these trucks, or should it go back to the dealer and have some warranty work done?

 

An inch seems like quite a bit (in this case). You mean rotational movement clockwise to counter clockwise?

 

Yes, rotational. (clockwise/counter clockwise)

I may be exaggerating an inch, but it's darn close to it. you definitely know when you let off the gas, and hit it again, it feels like a U joint is shot, but they're not. I can see it rotate all the way into the T-case

For the record, I don't get any weird vibrations or hum.

 

An inch is not normal. Mine has rotational play of about 1/8", maybe 3/16" at both the transfer case and rear diff (none in the ujoints)....and mine has 119,000 miles on it.

 

do you feel a strong "clunk" when you let off and get back on the gas, or take off from a stop?

 

I would do some diag.

1> Chock front wheels and lift rear tires off ground in park measure rotation
2> On slight incline chock wheels and put in neutral measure rotation, all four tires on the ground (now you have a load on the rear end)

I think my park paul is quite sloppy in my AT, almost to the point of a trip to the dealer. If you have that much slop in test two you have rear end issues, imo.

 

I'll try that today.

 

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