I noticed a bit of a clunk every time I would go over a good size bump in the trail, checked it out and everything seemed tight. But... found the front drive shaft to make a click noise as I could move it up and down when shaking it about a mm or two. I hopped under another Jeep and his was rock solid for vertical play, didn't budge even a bit.

My understanding is that the driveshaft is not serviceable. So I take it time for a new shaft? Any ideas how 'severe' having a small amount of play in it is? As in imminent failure, soon, who knows, etc... I was able to wheel it the rest of the day with no issues, minus the noise.

I have about 3.5" lift on 35's and stock front shaft and almost 100k km.

 

What end was the play on? Front side is a u-joint that can be replaced.

 

I just grabbed both hands on it and shook it so not sure. I'll go back outside and check. I googled this before posting and thought the consensus was that the stock driveshaft had a non serviceable u-joint on the axle side?

 

Looks like it is right in the center portion and not coming from either end.

 

Well, one way to find out for sure is to remove the front drive shaft and see if you can recreate the noise over bumps.

If you're in 4lo offroad, the t-case definitely does some clunking and usually over bumps when your foot is uneven on the gas pedal. Almost sounds like something is loose and clunking. That's a normal sound.

 

Would have to go back out on a trail, haven't had the clunk driving in the city and it is not doing it presently on the street either

I don't think I've ever heard my TC clank around on the 08 or the 12 now. At the time it made the noise in 4 low and 2 high as thought my driveshaft was going to bust so used 2 high whenever I could.

 

I do believe the front driveshaft is spinning whether you're in 2wd or 4wd. While in 2wd no power goes to the front, but still spins. The "clunk" may be less b/c of no power/torque.

Sent from some string and a few tin cans.

 

Any updates on this. I definitely have vertical play in my front drive shaft. I can def hear clicking and my friends say they can feel clunking when they sit in the front passenger seat.

 

Bump maybe for your thoughts or the link to the thread where this is solved. Thanks in advance.

 

I'm bumping this again since I cannot seem to find anything searching that talks about this.