E350 Driveline axial wobble - Diesel Forum

Tgates · 08-03-2008, 11:09 AM

I have a 98 E350 7.3L with the normal auto trans. I started to get a vibration on a long trip. It got worse and worse. I crawled under expecting a bad U-jont, but both U-joints tight. It is where the pilot shaft comes out of auto trans, as I can wiggle the driveline 3/4" and thus the extreme vibration.

Is there a pilot shaft output bearing at the end of Trans that is gone?? Can this be fixed without a wholesale pulling of the Trans? If not, I guess the dealer will be getting a lot of my $$ ??

blageurt · 08-03-2008, 12:10 PM

Check the tightness of the Transmission mounts . Maybe you need a New transmission Mount. Your Driveshaft could be unbalanced /Bent .I would have your U-joints PROFESSIONALLY inspected. Take it to a Transmissin shop NOT a dealer . Good Luck

whjco · 08-05-2008, 11:56 AM

My 2000 E350 had the crush spacer in the pinion bearing fail at 35k miles which caused a rumble in the driveline. We replaced it with a Jasper rebuild and at 102k it's doing great.

beaker · 08-05-2008, 07:21 PM

There is a tailshaft bushing in the back of the transmission that fits around the outside of the driveshaft. It's about 3" long and is made of brass. I've changed one before without taking the tail end of the transmission off. There may be pilot shaft bearing puller tools available, but I never found one, so I cut it lengthwise with a hacksaw blade. It's not too easy due to the close proximity of the tailshaft, but it is possible. I then bent it inward and pulled it out. A replacement will tap right in. Make sure you don't get metal shavings inside the transmission.

The bushing is only 1/8" thick or so; it would be difficult to imagine that it could cause 3/4" of play, but it did take care of my vibration trouble. I recall it being cheap ($10 or less), if you don't count the labor.