Noise in Tailshaft - Help Needed

Davidman · 15-04-2010, 07:02 PM

Hi All,

All of a sudden, a noise has developed in the tailshaft of my vehicle. It sounds like there is someone in there with a small hammer just tapping away at the inside of the tailshaft. The noise is not there 100% of the time, and it is not a regular tapping, can be slow, or quick and is not consistent. It appears to be a lot worse under acceleration.

The YouTube video shows it better than I can explain it.

Any thoughts or ideas on what is wrong would be appreciated.

I have a 96 NJ 3.5 litre petrol auto Pajero wagon.

Bainsy · 15-04-2010, 07:24 PM

Might be a stuffed uni, might have to give matt a call

Davidman · 15-04-2010, 07:25 PM

Sounds like it is coming from the centre of the shaft, but to my knowledge, there is nothing in the centre of the shaft apart from metal

jack48 · 15-04-2010, 07:39 PM

Great tune, it would make a great song. Seriously though are you sure it's not coming from the bellhousing and being transmitted via the shaft. MAYBE YOU NEED ONE OF THOSE BOXAMAJIGGERS to balance the undercarriage.

Davidman · 15-04-2010, 08:17 PM

Pretty sure that it is coming from the tail shaft, I thought the same thing, noise transference, but from all indications this is not happening. Funny thing is, everything feels secure and tight, no slop or anything that appears out of the ordinary

jack48 · 15-04-2010, 11:56 PM

Seriously it sounds like a metal object floating somewhere. It wont be in the tailshaft because centrifical force would not let it move about like it is moving. Is it a manual or auto. Have seen cluch bolts come off and also torque convertor bolts come off. have you changed any of these recently. just a summise, maybe a stone or something has got in there from your last outing in BUNYIP, let us know the outcome; I'm interested to find out, same as you.

kruzaman · 16-04-2010, 07:23 AM

Hi David, I would remove the tail shaft and check the flange nuts on the output shaft on your gearbox and the diff flange that they are not loose. Just be careful that the rear diff may have a collapsible spacer on the pinion bearing so it needs to be tensioned to a set torque. While you have your tail shaft out turn it end for end and see if you can hear any little buggers rolling around in the tube.

croozza · 16-04-2010, 07:32 AM

If all of the bolts are done up tight, then it could only be one thing, a uni joint, but which one, can you move the tail shaft up,down,side to side?

bmurray2250 · 16-04-2010, 09:42 AM

Sounds like a uni-joint is failing

Muckinhell · 30-04-2010, 09:47 PM

pump the unis with fresh grease, if this relieves the problem or changes the sound etc you will know its one of them. do it one at a time obviously to try and pin point wich end. our work hilux had a similar issues and i added a heap of grease and it fixed it for a couple of days but the noise came back and off to the mechanic for new unis.

i also had this happen to my 80 series some years ago...foolish me thought the toyota service people where actually greasing uni joints but turns out they wernt and the rear ones starting making noises and 4 unis later( as i thought id do the fronts as well) all is good and i grease uni's at least every 5 thousand and or before a offroad trip and after.

hope this helps.