So I got a bad vibration starting around 15mph until 40mph. Shakes the drink holders, mirrors, and feels like it's under the floor board. Almost like front drivers side.  I think I got a bad u joint. The one that comes from the transfer case to the front end.  (No idea how to get that off). I can push that drive shaft up a little bit and it clunks. Also my carrier bearing has some play in it. Idk how much is ok or if it needs to be tight.  Any help or ideas is much appreciated! 

The front should be easy to remove. @Mopar1973Man has an article about removal and rebuild. One end is bolted but dont remember the other. 

Thank you. I just went and read it. Seems easy enough.  I guess that would cause some vibration with any of that being bad. 

It could though it is under no load and does not spin much while 2wd. Carrier bearing maybe also. It should be reasonbly tight. 

I can't leave stuff alone especially when I know something is wrong with it. So I went and looked at my wheels and tires. Not a wheel one has a weight on it. I think I'll start with that. 

Did you install the tires or did you buy the truck with tires installed, could have some counteract beads inside. If that's the case take something heavy and go around the tire smacking it to break the beads loose. 

Front drive shaft shouldn't spin unless you're in 4-wheel drive, at least mine doesn't. I guess that would depend if you have cad or not.

 

I had the tires installed. No beads in these. I need to fix that u joint on the front drive shaft but I don't think it's my issue the more I think about it.  I can spin the drive shaft by hand out if 4x4. I'll see if it spins or not when driving. 

  On 8/22/2019 at 4:25 PM, Unreal Summit said:

I had the tires installed. No beads in these. I need to fix that u joint on the front drive shaft but I don't think it's my issue the more I think about it.  I can spin the drive shaft by hand out if 4x4. I'll see if it spins or not when driving. 

You could just pull the drive if it needs repairs and drive minus the shaft and see what happens.

I think mine has the cad.  It's a 02 would that make a difference if I am going try and disconnect the drive shaft?

The early 02's have the CAD and late 02's dont. Makes no difference for the drive shaft removal.

A few times the yoke goes bad and the shaft has to be rebuilt. Sometimes better to have a 4x4 shop just take a look. I want to mention front wheel bearing too.... if they fail completely the truck can go out of control at highway speeds.

 

Jack the front wheels off the ground every once in awhile and try moving the wheel up and down.... there shouldn't be any play in the wheel bearings.

Wheel bearings where good when I last had the truck apart for leaking axle seals. I am going to take the front shaft out tonight and see what happens. 

Fixed it! Front drive shaft was fine. Rear drive shaft had a bad u joint at the rear end. One cap had nothing but dust in it.  Replaced it as well as the one at the Carrier bearing and she is good as new.  

Oh happy day!! Congrats.

Thanks! I appreciate your help! 

  On 8/25/2019 at 3:36 AM, Unreal Summit said:

Thanks! I appreciate your help! 

You are welcome.