Can a worn transmission tailshaft housing bushing cause a drive line vibration?

Question

Vehicle in question is my 2002 Ford F-250XL super duty crew cab long bed 2WD pickup with the powerstroke 7.3L turbo diesel and 4R100 4 speed automatic transmission with 267k miles as of this post.

I've had this truck for two years and it recently developed this vibration. I had all the U-joints and support bearing replaced in the drive shaft and that diminished the vibration considerably leaving me thinking the drive shaft might have had a small bit of runout and would need to be straightened and balanced at a drive line shop. Well yesterday the vibration started getting worse, so I went underneath the truck to check it out and what I found was where the slip yoke slides in over the output shaft has a lot of lateral play indicating a worn bushing. Can anyone confirm this is more than likely the source of the problem or am I still going to need to take it to the drive line shop?

Pat F85 · Accepted Answer

You  are correct, excessive play in the tailshaft will cause vibration in the driveshaft.
The bushing for sure and maybe the tailshaft need replacing.
As for the new U-joints, if they were installed properly, meaning 'centered', the driveshaft likely is OK, but if there's any vibration, after you first address the tailshaft, get the ds balanced.

Andy · Answer

I hate to tell you, but there is no bushing. The driveshaft slides onto the output shaft. If that play is excessive you need a new yoke and/or a new transmission output shaft.

staats · Answer

Tailshaft Vibration

Can a worn transmission tailshaft housing bushing cause a drive line vibration?

3 Answers