Does this sound like a u-joint?

99 4x4. When taking off from a dead stop, either forward or backward, there is a loud "tink" sound from the rear end. Definitely metal on metal. I thought it was the leaf packs because they looked shot, so I replaced them along with new bushings. Its getting louder and its starting to vibrate at freeway speeds. Ive crawled underneath and looked at everything...heat shield, shocks but when I twist the drive line there is a little play in it. thanks for any help.

 

Like this noise? Have you checked your carrier bearing?

 

easy to check.

Get under the truck and grab the drive shaft and twist it. If they is a lot of play in it look at the different u joints. If there is a lot of play in them, needs replaced.

 

What constitutes a lot of play?

 

Around 1/8 or more play in the u joint.

 

Toyota spec is .002".

1/8" or .125" would be past ready to explode.

Cheap printer paper is around .004". Basically if you can see any play it is time to start pricing a replacement.

 

When my u joints were bad you could roatate the drive shaft about 1/4" or more, it also as you called it, "tinked" when i shifted out of park to drive or reverse. New u joints and no more "tink" or rotation. Just my opinion but alot of people have had bad luck changing them out, they are a bitch. I used a 2 jaw puller and a 4 1/2" cut off wheel to get mine out. Use the puller to push the joint out one side, then cut behind the the other cap and done. Beating them out is almost impossible. My new method was after beating the other one out and takin forever. You also want to mark your shafts where they bolt up so that you get them back in the way they were because thats how they were balanced.

 

Ok thanks...so I know mine are bad. A shop quoted me 2 bills so Ill just go that route.

 

Id make sure they put greasable joints back in so that they can be greased every now an again. For $50 and a few hours you can do it yourself if have accsess to some tools but two bills aint bad really and no headaches. Good luck!

 

Find a place where they build and repair drivelines, take your driveline out and have them install the U-joints. Should be way less than 2C's. Doesn't hurt to get an estimate.

 

Nice little tip thanks. I live in an apartment so its hard for me to work on my truck.