FJ80 front drive shaft issue

[PRCruiser]

Hmm, I didnt check that. I just bought it today and took it to the mechanic, then he told me about it and I went down to see what he told me.

On the driveshaft is the sleeve yoke, the spider and the flange yoke (which is the one attached to the differential, right?) well, what i could see the play is just the whole thing; from the flange yoke at the transfer to the flange yoke at the diff. The play I mean is rotational play. I know it should have some play but comparing it with the play from the rear shaft (which is minimum), the front one has some quite of excessive play.

[1911]

PRCruiser previously said:

what i could see the play is just the whole thing; from the flange yoke at the transfer to the flange yoke at the diff. The play I mean is rotational play. I know it should have some play but comparing it with the play from the rear shaft (which is minimum), the front one has some quite of excessive play.

It's hard to tell without seeing it myself. I would still suspect bad u-joints (spiders) first. It's possible that the pinion in the diff could have backed off (but not likely) and introduced too much play between the pinion and the ring gear, but if this was the case it would probably be very noisey. When you rotate the front drive shaft, do the u-joints and flange yokes turn with it?

[TrAiLbUs1]

From an Ih8mud member

Sounds like the front pinion bearing is loose. But not enough info to really know. Does it leak in the area?
Your info could suggest a loose U-joint or other trouble. You need to be more specific. Where exactly is the movement?