Rear end/driveline vibration

[bran100]

Similar to when I had a CJ5 with axles splines that were prone to strip, I have a similar vibration toward the rear on my '82.

I've never dug into the differential on my car, and I don't know if there's anything in there that would cause symptoms of a very deep vibration - typically when I'm giving it higher torque in first gear from a stop, or near stop. If it's truly slipping somewhere, I can't detect it in th RPM as it only lasts a second or two when accelerating.

It's not the clutch or transmission as I feel it more toward the rear and it really doesn't transfer through the shifter.

I did notice that the driveline donut has torn rubber around the circumference, so maybe this is the issue? I'll change it out regardless, but I'm wondering if there's something else that could be going on in the differential.

[azruss]

sounds like the driveline pillow block and associate u-joint. the rubber in the pillow block loses its turger and give you that vibration. a worn u-joint or carrier bearing can contribute to the problem.

[bran100]

Thanks, my thoughts are that if there was an issue with the differential, it would be pretty clear that that's where the problem was, as it would be pretty dramatic, correct?

[azruss]

this is a typical fiat wear issue. If you are doing it yourself, pay attention to the carrier bearing and how it is bolted to the pillow block frame and how it is oriented on the car. its easy to get it backward and it would load the pillow block in a way that it will wear faster. mark both sections of the drive shaft to make sure it is assembled the same way.