Drive/Propeller Shaft: Testing and Inspection

INSPECTION

NOTE:
Do not disassemble propeller shaft. Check the following and replace if necessary.
- Tube surface for dents of cracks
- Splines for deformation or abnormal wear
- Unsmooth joint operation or abnormal noise
- Center bearing for free play, noise or nonsmooth operation.
- Oil seals for abnormal wear or damage
- Damaged center bearing Check the following points with propeller shaft installed in vehicle.

1. JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
1. Remove the center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the heat shield cover.
3. Check for any looseness of the yoke flange mounting bolts which connect to the rear differential and center bearing bracket mounting bolts.

2. SPLINES AND BEARING
1. Remove the center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove the heat shield cover.
4. Turn the propeller shaft by hand to see if abnormal free play exists at splines. Also move yokes to see if abnormal free play exists at spiders and bearings.





3. RUNOUT OF PROPELLER SHAFT
1. Remove the center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove the heat shield cover.
4. Set the dial gauge with its indicator stem at the center of the propeller shaft tube.
5. Turn the propeller shaft slowly by hands to check for runout of the propeller shaft.
Runout. Service limit 0.6 mm (0.024 in)





4. CENTER BEARING FREE PLAY
1. Remove the front and center exhaust pipes.
2. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove the heat shield cover.
4. Move the propeller shaft near the center bearing up, down, left, right by hand, to check for any abnormal free play of the bearings.