propshaft free-play

[wilkosoft]

Brought my '73 series III to a garage a while back for an assessment and they said it needed a new front propshaft.

Had a look underneath this afternoon and sure enough, there's nearly 1/4 turn of free-play on the propshaft, but I don't see any play in the joints themselves. Do I need to worry? Surely the freeplay is just 'slop' in the front diff and the transfer box? Maybe too much slop?

Any advice welcome.

[crazymac]

Its the joint that loosens, there will always be an element of twist at the transfer box.

Grab the prop close to the joints and push and pull them to see if there is any joint movement, up down all ways.

Also have a close look at the internals of the joint area, if you can see any shiny bits or even needles then the joint is fubar.

Just because a joint is fubar does not mean a new prop though! These joints are only about £6 and take 20 mins to change (plus the time to remove the prop)

[bogie]

Wouldnt worry about it kev,you always have a little more play on the front prop,and you will hardly ever use it unless your off road or in that rare white stuff!!!