should i be able to do this?

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02blkram47

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So I'm under my truck today checking out my exhaust leak and decide to reach up and grab my front drive shaft for my 4 wheel drive. Well I grab this and I can turn it a couple inches before it stops and then back again. Should there be play in this shaft? Its not engaged in 4x4 during this.
 

Hollabakzach23

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Yeah mine spins freely as well. I would guess since 4wd isn't engaged it doesn't spin while driving so that seems normal
 

reddot

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if you dont have manual hubs it should not spin free. I little play back and forth in normal but I dont think its much play at all.
 

NWRQC

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How far does it spin before stopping?
A couple inches would be close to half a rotation and thats not normal, but if it splns a little then stops that normal.
The front driveline will spin when you drive, as it's tied into the front axle. Like reddot said, unless you have manual hubs or free spin hubs the driveline will spin.
 
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02blkram47

02blkram47

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I didn't measure the distance but it wasn't anywhere near half a full rotation. If I had to guess maybe a 1/4 turn at most but probably less. I'm just happy to hear that any play is normal. Thanks for all the info.
 

reddot

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I dont think it should be too much more then a wiggle.
 

Hollabakzach23

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Oh gosh now I'm kind of scared because I was under there trying to replace the bolts for my exhaust manifold flange where it meets the y pipe and mine spins and spins and spins freely??
 

reddot

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could be something wrong on the axle side of things. Are you the first owner? possible a previous owner put in locking hubs that you did not see?
 

NWRQC

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Oh gosh now I'm kind of scared because I was under there trying to replace the bolts for my exhaust manifold flange where it meets the y pipe and mine spins and spins and spins freely??

So your front driveline spinns freely?
What happens if you put it into 4wd and try manually spinning the driveline?
 

Hollabakzach23

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Have yet to try that! But 4wd does engage every time ive used it. I'll try to do it after work and see what happens!
 

Hollabakzach23

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could be something wrong on the axle side of things. Are you the first owner? possible a previous owner put in locking hubs that you did not see?

I am not the first owner either. Arent the locking hubs pretty obvious to notice if I'm not mistaken? Maybe I'm thinking something completely different lol
 

txbass06

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They should be. Here's a generic pic of one
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347376138.278373.jpg
 

rambob

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2ND GEN 4wd front driveshaft DOES NOT spin in 2wd.
 

rambob

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from what I can find online, they may have changed it from vacuum after 2003, so OP, you may have the same system as 2nd gen.

this contraption will be on your front axle, pass side.

cad_diagram.jpg

if so, yes it is normal for the driveshaft to "rotate" a small bit by hand, in 2wd
 
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Hollabakzach23

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Okay well I engaged 4wd before I came to class and the front driveshaft rocked back and forth just a tad but that was all. Still spins freely in 2wd. Idk it hasn't caused any issues as of yet so I'm not too worried about it. Yet...
 
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02blkram47

02blkram47

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So I would be fine according to this statement if it doesn't move in 2wd!


I would think the opposite actually since you said that yours spins freely in 2wd! However if your 4wd engages fine and the driveline stops spinning freely then it sounds like it works fine.
 

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