First of this is my first post, been on the site for some time (love it) but never posted. I have found almost all of my answers through search but not much on this.

I put my 5" skyjacker lift on about 4 months ago, New leafs, coils, links, dual shocks, all brackets. But I didnt (why I dont know) even think about the front or rear drive shaft. I drive a 95 ram 1500 4x4 1 peice rear shaft. When I was done saw that it pulled the drive shaft out of the tcase about 1" (still didnt think about it). Now I have a hum around 55 + Faster the worse it gets but only at mid throttle, acceleration makes it go away and removing your foot completly makes it go away. Was almost positive its a u joint from searching through past posts, I also have a clunk when I shift from Drive to Reverse or Park to Drive or Reverse. Any thoughts? I have one mechanic telling me its probalby the drive shaft wobling on the yoke or the tcase shaft because I didnt lengthen my drive shaft but I could swear the kit said it would be ok without lengthenin it. I dont know much about drive shafts or Ujoints so any helpful advice on how I can check this out would be greatly appreciated. Dont really even know how to see if my u joints are bad.

Thanks,
Joe

 

To check a Universal Joint for play, raise the vehicle and support the rear axle with jack stands. Place the vehicle in neutral and set the parking brake. Now rotate the drive shaft back and forth by hand, and up and down and sideways,checking the joint for any play, if any play is detected, the U-joint will have to be replaced. Also look for signs of rust. This usually means a U-joint that has no grease and is ready to be replaced soon.

 

could possibly be the rearend making the "clunking noise".

 

Rearend is a new corporate "stock" as of year ago. Went to change fluid and found the metal tabs that hold the clutch packs back broke off so instead of re gearing I replaced it w/stock. Kicking myself for doing that but o well is what it is. I just have to re-do it again later.
Not saying it might not be, heck at this point I am open to anything. :-D Truck has 180,000 on it and drive shafts look to be original. Tranny and transfer case are rebuilts at 150,000. From what i was told when i bought it. On the drive train thats what i know. The noise started a week ago. But i havent had her on the interstate for a month so it could have been getting worse and i never notice it being in town and low off road speeds.

 

So... Went out over lunch and lifted the rear end. No play in the u joints but... were the driveshaft connects to the Tcase its wiggles a little up and down & in and out. So blocked the front and back of the front tires and put it into drive and let it idle. I dont look at my driveshaft much while i am moving but to me it looks increadibly unbalanced. Bet it moves a 1/4 inch up and down as it spins. This brings up another questions. Put it in Nuetral and tires kept moving so applied the brake and let off they start moving forward again. Dont know if this helps or not. I am starting to think its more than a u-joint problem. Anyone run a 5" lift with stock length drive shaft? Or am i an idoit that didnt do enough research to know that this is common knowlege NOT TO. :-D
I have a decent background in mechanics started wrenching when i was 12 with buddies. Rebuilt 4 engines and lots of car work. Have always wanted to dive into trucks just never had the money. Wasnt stupid know that it take money to play so just try to research as I go but I got my self stuck on this onee

PS I apologize for my horrible spelling and grammer (spell check is my freind with out it, it gets pretty bad) :-D Thanks everyone for your help!

 

The lift should not cause issues but, I believe you have to clearance the front u-joint on the front shaft. But, it sounds like you may have other issues going on and the lift just brought them to light.

 

you got any pics of this bada** lift lol

 

Yea here are a few from my last river trip. Was fun till I burried it in the current some a hole was flying down the sand bar and i had to stop in front of a 2 foot bank and back tire broke loose. But still a great day.

 

what kind of tires are those , truck is sweet man !!!

 

Thanks there cooper discoverer STT's Awesome in snow mud and sand.