Drive Shaft Slip Travel

How much slip travel should a CJ5 driveshaft (propeller shaft?) have front and rear? I just took my M38A1 off about a 4" lift and returned it to stock height. I don't know if the previous owner had put extra long drive shafts on it for the lift. They both appear to have about 1.25" of travel available before they bottom out. This is when the vehicle is sitting on the ground. When it sits on the ground the axles are about 5" below the bump stops. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

Hey Kenb….I have my rear driveshaft in the shop now, having it shortened by 1/2". I seem to have the same situation as you. I replaced the leafs when I got it. Well as they have worn in, the driveshaft is pretty much bottomed out with the jeep sitting, no load, and I have picked up a subtle vibration at 35mph. So I figured the PO might have installed a longer shaft. I came up with the 1/2" from talking to a couple of shops. So we'll see when I get it back in. Hope this helps.

 

Maybe just draw a diagram on the shop floor with a little chalk.Should give a idea of about how much change with the travel. Chalk and string .retro

 

I wouldn't necessarily trust what you see. You might want to pull an end off and collapse the shaft to see where it really bottoms. It might bottom internally well before you'd think.

 

Good Price, Great service, quality driveshaft.

 

Thanks for the replies. I disconnected both shafts today and measured their compressed lengths. As the jeep sits on the ground they both have a little more than an inch of travel. By my math at maximum compression of the suspension they should have more than half an inch to spare. So it appears they should be OK.

 

CJ Tatton builds great driveshafts also. Good quality with long travel and good prices. Tattons Drive Lines