Ticking noise from driveshaft after repair

I had a shaking under the truck for a while. I checked and the center bearing was shot. I took out the driveshaft today, put in the new center bearing and replaced the 2 universal joints at the ends but didn't realize there were 2 in the middle. I greased the 2 U joints and the third zerk really well. It seemed to all be moving around. I reinstalled everything and took for a test drive. Now I have a ticking sound and thumping I can feel in the floor board. I'm guessing the bad center bearing was masking the other problem. Or in fixing the bearing and greasing the 2 old U joints they are causing the new problem because they are "kinda" working.
Planning on jacking it up and letting the wheels turn so I can try to determine what it is.
I'm guessing it is the 2 U joints I didn't replace.
Any further ideas?
Thanks!
Pateick

 

Did you clock the drivetshafts correctly? Did you install the carrier bearing backwards?

 

Not sure what you mean "clock the driveshafts." I marked all the parts with paint marker so I lined it all back up the same way, if that's what you mean. Bearing, single hole down, "F" with arrow pointing forward.

 

Is your truck 2wd or 4wd?

 

4wd, 4 door

 

The "thumping" problem is the larger concern to me. Is it a rhythmic thumping that increases with speed?

Do you have a GoPro or similar you could mount under the truck to watch what's happening when the thump occurs?

RE: Clocking/orientation see this for 2005-2006 with 4WD.

 

Do, should all the U-joints line up? To say, if I looked up from under the truck, all the caps would line up in a straight line like in the illustration you sent?

The thumping is constant and changes with the speed of the truck.

I have the truck up on the stands now.

 

Shit, I think I linked the wrong picture. I should've linked the one here, I'll update my reply ...<removed>

Edit, actually that's not it either. Dammit. Hold on, I'm just going to crack open the FSM myself.

 

See attached; confirm your work based on FSM details for 4WD specifically, and '05-'06 trucks.

 

OK I read all that. Thanks.
I took the whole shaft out again. Rechecked everything, the rear part of the rear shaft was not aligned correctly. I got all the U-joint caps aligned now and aligned with my checkmarks on the transmission and differential.
Running it on the jack stand I had no noise after this. Before readjustment the noise seemed to be from the cardan joint.
I took it for a test drive and had no noise for about a mile. Once I had to slow down to pull a hill it started making the noise again.
I'll put it back on the jacks and get a video.

 

I got the video. I'm is 99% sure it is the cardan joint. So from what I've read I'm just screwed? Have to get a new driveshaft?

It was froze up when I took it off yesterday. I smacked it with a hammer and added grease and it started moving. I'd bet it was bad and that's what made the carrier bearing go. Or the carrier bearing went, allowing the cardan to not have to flex so it froze up?
Truck has 310k miles, everything g I changed yesterday seemed to be OEM.

 

From what I've seen, if you let these u-joints run dry, the needle bearings will be toast. You probably freed up seized bearings, and now you're spinning grenaded bearings.

 

I think you may be right here. I’ve seen all of two DCJs go bad on this forum. Actually, one. The other ended up being something else, and the OP of that thread though it was the DCJ.

But I’m also processing those symptoms OP here described about things being froze l and BFH action.

 

So is it possible to change those U-joints?

 

I've always been intimidated by u-joint replacement. Even watching videos online, they always struggle. So I've never done it. But so far as I know, all the driveshaft components are replaceable/serviceable.

 

The double cardan joint is not serviceable. A proper drive shaft shop will be able to cut it out and weld in a new (non Toyota) replacement. An aftermarket driveshaft could be an alternative. Search around...I think a couple of guys here have done that. Or a slightly less used shaft can be found.

 

This is the conclusion I've come to also. Just wanted to see if anyone had any other ideas.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2cI42jRWU0

 

I can almost bet exactly what's causing that click sound. There are splines that are concealed underneath the flange that joins the drive shaft by the center bearing. If the castle nut comes even slightly loose, you will get a click, sometimes a creaking sound when you take off from a stop or sometimes when you are braking. It is very common with the gen 1's and older Tacomas too.

If you pull the flange off, you will see the splines. Slop some grease on them and retorque the castle nut. That will fix your problem. Try this first before tearing into anything else, it is the easiest thing to rule out.

I'll bet 10 bucks right now that your cardan joint is fine.

 

I'll give it a go on Monday. Thanks.

 

That looks easy enough. Any idea on part numbers?

 

Heed this ^^

Mr.BW has helped several people fix clicking sound with this trick.

 

Monday

 

You owe me $10

 

Took everything apart again today. Watched the video above and broke down the cardan joint. There were no needle bearing left inside the ball of the cardan joint. The spring was broken and the "tube" that the spring sits inside had been worn down and the end mashed partly shut. Due to the amount of damage to the tube, just replacing the ball, spring and seal probably wouldn't totally fix my problem. I'm done throwing money away so I guess I'll be buying a new driveshaft. Or a good used one if I can find one at my local yard.

Thanks for all the help.

Patrick

 

Makes me wonder if Carden joint should be rebuilt as preventive maintenance at 250K miles?

 

If I had kept it greased (which I might have if I'd known it existed) it probably would've been OK.

 

Glad you got it figured out! Man, I've never heard of a double cardan joint going bad... like, ever. I'm eating my words now.

 

Meh, internet diagnosis is pretty tough. I hear you though. Best anyone here can do is point people in the right direction, and we did that here.

 

I'll take you some pictures.