ball joint or u joint problem???
 

Hey everybody...hopefully y'all can help me out.

when I come to a complete stop the truck "shutters" then when taking off it "shutters" a little again. Then drives great until the next stop. This isn't in the tranny it isn't shuttering during shift just stopping and taking off.

Please help!

2001 4.0L 4x4 xlt offroad

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

Anybody???

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

a ball joint wouldn't do that unless youre going over bumps

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

Okay... Suspension issue?

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

crawl under your truck when its in park, and try rotating the rear driveshaft, it if clunks, then its your u-joints

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

Ok I've been having the same clunk (on takeoff it's most noticeable unless you feather the clutch out extremely slow) and was checking my u-joint for play. It does have a bit of play that i can see and hear when I move the driveshaft, but I don't know how much is acceptable or if I should look at greasing the slip yoke first. I tried to record a video of moving it but it's pretty shaky looking (youtube messed up, everything after 25 sec is black so ignore that).



Thanks
Justin

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

As much as that camera was shaking around, I couldn't see what you were trying to show while you were moving the parts.

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

Yeah like I said t was the best I could do given youtube messed up the video and I didn't have anything/anyone to hold the camera. I said I was checking the driveshaft for play. Anyways it moves enough that you can see/hear it, I remember reading on another forum that any noticeable play is too much. What do you guys think? Maybe I'll try to get a clearer vid or take a measurement or something too.

Re: ball joint or u joint problem???
 

Most likely neither. My truck had this problem(mostly after starting from a dead stop) I'd get like three clunks till i started moving.
Repair: slipjoint in driveaxle needs greased. not to indorse this site but here is a link http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=106307
your drive axle probably isn't a two piece like that. I left mine attached and unclamped the boot,then i squirted a ton of moly grease in the boot. held boot in place with zip ties and jumped up and down on rear bumper to work the grease into the joint. No more clunk!!!
Hope this helps, it takes about 10 minutes and will rule the slip yoke out if anything.