Driveline Shudders After Stopping

[RC57]

99 4wd ltd 170k miles mostly highway, often shudders after I stop. This occurs when I release the brake to proceed after stopping. Is this common with other 4Rs? I'm guessing the rear axle winds up on the rubber mounts from braking forces, then unwinds when the brake is released after stopping. I can also feel the gearshift move forward maybe 1/4" when this happens, like the driveshaft is giving the transfer case a good push.

A few days ago I tried greasing the driveshafts (Redline CV-2 NLGI-2). I gave each u-joint 3-6 pumps depending on how much it took to purge the old grease (runny black goo). Some of the u-joints flowed grease from only one or two of the bearing cups. The slip joint got 20 pumps on the rear shaft and 10 pumps on the front. No grease was seen oozing from the seals. The coupler on the rear also got a few pumps. This had no effect on the shudder.

Rear suspension bushings look fine on visual inspection.

Is the shudder normal, or a known symptom? I've owned it for a few months so no clue if it's always been like this. My son says his friend's 98 4wd 4R w/ 220k miles also does this.

-RC

 

[collin]

99 4wd ltd 170k miles mostly highway, often shudders after I stop. This occurs when I release the brake to proceed after stopping. Is this common with other 4Rs? I'm guessing the rear axle winds up on the rubber mounts from braking forces, then unwinds when the brake is released after stopping. I can also feel the gearshift move forward maybe 1/4" when this happens, like the driveshaft is giving the transfer case a good push.

A few days ago I tried greasing the driveshafts (Redline CV-2 NLGI-2). I gave each u-joint 3-6 pumps depending on how much it took to purge the old grease (runny black goo). Some of the u-joints flowed grease from only one or two of the bearing cups. The slip joint got 20 pumps on the rear shaft and 10 pumps on the front. No grease was seen oozing from the seals. The coupler on the rear also got a few pumps. This had no effect on the shudder.

Rear suspension bushings look fine on visual inspection.

Is the shudder normal, or a known symptom? I've owned it for a few months so no clue if it's always been like this. My son says his friend's 98 4wd 4R w/ 220k miles also does this.

-RC

mine does it too, not sure why.

 

[Dagobah]

Mine does it to. To me it feels like the transmission is hesitating a little before shifting down into first. I say this because sometimes it does this before I release any pressure on the brakes.

 

[cj80cruiser]

This problem on other vehicles I've read about was solved by taking the driveshaft off and cleaning the splines. Then hand grease and reassemble. If I put grease in my driveshaft and none oozes out them I'm going to disassemble to see if the seal is clogged and if it is really greasing the DS completely.

 

[blue4r]

Mine does it too, not worried about it. I have 72,xxx KMS so am figuring my driveline should still be in pretty good shape, everything lubed.

 

[RC57]

I pulled the rear driveshaft today and checked the splines. They were well greased with the stuff I pumped in a few days ago and sliding freely. Except... the driveshaft wouldn't bottom out easily in the yoke. I applied some weight and got it worked in to full compression (it would bounce back out, presumeably due to trapped air). I pumped more grease through the u-joints until I could see fresh grease coming out all the spiders. The cardon joint spit the grease out on the backside, rather than through the ball and socket. Might be an issue there. I then reinstalled the driveshaft.

The shudder seems to be gone. Also the rear end seems to be less harsh over bumps. At 180k miles I may pull off the yoke, scrape out the old grease, and pack in some new and see how it does.

-RC