vibration in rear

[beejay31000]

so, lately ive been driving and above 50mph i get a vibration that i thought was my rear end allignment. i thought i fixed it before i went to the track last time, but it has progressively gotten worse. i got under my car yesterday and the pinion gear nut was loose and there was play at that end of the drive shaft. so, i have a couple questions

is that normal for it to shake around and come loose?

i tightened the nut but there is still clockwise and counterclockwise play with the yoke when the tires arent moving.

to the best of my knowledge this isnt good, but i wanted to check on here. could this be a serious issue, or can i put it around til i can get a new dif and gear set?

any input is great, thanks guys

LONG LIVE WS!!!

 

[Tommy]

I think we need Mr. Gears (MustangCWO) to chime in here

 

[HisPony]

My bet is the U Joint going bad.

I had one going bad on a truck and it did the same thing you are explaining. The pinion nut may have worked loose do to the vibration.

 

[wickedstangs]

Subzero this sounds like yours...

 

[Mustangcwo]

Once the pinion nut is loose, the bearings will work themselves loose and the crush sleeve inside the gears has to be replaced. If not, you'll continue to damage the bearings and gears. To play it safe, I would replace the two pinion bearings and the crush sleeve.

To check the U-Joint, all you have to do is tug on it. If it moves around at all, it's bad.

 

[beejay31000]

my u joint is fine....they are new. the pinion nut is loose. its been that way for week or so. ive maybe put 150 miles on it. do you think my ring and pinion gear are still good, or are they most likely shot too. i have been planning on getting an eaton posi....but i hope my 4.10s are still good.

 

[Mustangcwo]

I cannot tell if the ring and pinion are damaged....more than likely, they are fine. Just the two pinion bearings are not reliable any longer....the rest of the bearings and gears should be fine.