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chadecoen Newbie

Joined: Dec 19 2011
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Location: United States
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Posted: Mar 07 2012 at 6:37pm | IP Logged
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Hello everyone. So the story goes like this....
I just bought a new to me 2000 frontier extra cab, 4cly/5sp. 153K miles on the clock. Looks decent and seems to be mostly original and all that.
The past owner advised me that he just had the clutch done and I have noticed a wicked vibration in the chassis at highway speeds.
Had the tires rotated and balanced thinking that the likely cause. No joy. Still vibrates. Not a high pitch vibe either. Feels like an out of round rear tire bouncing up and down. No feeling in the steering wheel but def in the chassis. So I remember the guy saying he had the clutch done and start putting 2 and 2 together. I don't think the clutch man put the drive shaft back in the same hole it came out of.
So I get under the truck and look around for markings on the shaft or something out of place. It does appear that he took the drive shaft off at both ends. Can't tell if he turned it at the tail shaft but at the pumpkin it looks as though it is in stock location. I am hoping he clocked it re-installing it at the trans. I didn't feel like taking it all apart so I marked the shaft at the rear end, took it apart, and clocked it ninety degrees and drove it down the street. No good. I repeated the process 2 more times and all I really seemed to do is move the vibration around to different speeds. Seems it might be a tiny bit better but can't really tell. I think I am on the right path since the vibration seems to have moved with every re-install but I don't get it.
Sorry for all the rambling, my question is this:
Did I do any good at all clocking it at the rear end? Does the shaft have to be rotated at the trans? Should I drop the whole thing and clock it at the tail shaft? Why?
Am thinking of doing u-joints while apart next time. Would this negate worrying about re-installing back on the same spline?
Any other thoughts about a vibration?
HELP!!!!!
Thanks, Chad
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frontierguy Senior Member

Master Mechanic
Joined: May 20 2008
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Location: U.S. - Pennsylvania
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Posted: Mar 07 2012 at 7:31pm | IP Logged
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If the shaft was apart at the center carrier, it is
possible that the front and rear u-joints are not on the
same "plane", meaning they should line up exactly looking
down the shaft. I'm not sure if I am explaining it clearly
or not. PS you are on the right track!!! It wouldn't hurt
to check the condition of the joints as well.
__________________
'10 Altima SL
Traded 08 Frontier for 16 Frontier SV CC Long box, quite an upgrade. I do miss the 6 speed and Dynomax ex.
Nissan Technician 25 + years
2011 John Deere X720SE
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chadecoen Newbie

Joined: Dec 19 2011
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Posted: Mar 08 2012 at 6:34pm | IP Logged
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Good one, thanks. I didn't even think about that. I got back under it this afternoon and it looks like it wasn't touched in the middle. I took apart the diff side again and unbolted the carrier and clocked the shaft at the trans. This is ridiculous! There must be 28 or 32 splines in there. 28-32 ways you can clock the shaft. Screw that. I can not take this apart and re-assemble and test drive it that many times until I find the sweet spot. There are no markings on the trans end of the shaft or the shield around the slip yoke. There is no telling how off it is on this end.
Someone suggested that the carrier bearing could be going out. Carrier bearing looks good. At least the rubber surround looks to be in good shape and doesn't seem to be making any noise. I read somewhere that the 4x4 guys are replacing with a 1 piece shaft. Wonder if that would solve my woes? Anyone got any info on a one piece shaft for a 4cly/5 speed extra cab?
Thanks, Chad
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frontierguy Senior Member

Master Mechanic
Joined: May 20 2008
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Posted: Mar 08 2012 at 7:11pm | IP Logged
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The trans end does not matter as far as the splines go.
Look at all the u-joints and be sure all the cross sections
line up exactly with each other. If they are not in the
same "plane", it will vibrate badly.
__________________
'10 Altima SL
Traded 08 Frontier for 16 Frontier SV CC Long box, quite an upgrade. I do miss the 6 speed and Dynomax ex.
Nissan Technician 25 + years
2011 John Deere X720SE
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daniel13 Newbie


Joined: Mar 25 2012
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Posted: Mar 25 2012 at 11:24am | IP Logged
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ofcourse they are in the same plane even i am facing the
same problem read the conversation about seems to be the
same problem which i am facing that's why replied.
__________________ Honda Performance Chip
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