Checking out the drivetrain, what to look for

[overworkedunderpaid]

Going to do some maintenence on the rig tomorrow and am wondering what else I should look for underneath? I do have a vibration once in a while and it's more noticeable up around 70 or better so I am thinking maybe U-joints or the part that connects the 2 sections or maybe the hanger? I also noticed some rust colored substance near the lower ball joint on the passenger side, that's the only place I can see that particular "stuff" and wonder if that's a sign of the joint needing replaced? Will jack up the wheels and do the old "wiggle" test.

Anything else that might be worth checking out? It's a 2000 F250 Crew cab. 4x4 with 120k on the clock. 6 speed.

 

[CHPMustang]

Friend of mine this week had to replace the rear universal joint set at the axle after he noticed a clunk when going from park to drive/reverse and also a vibration at 50+ MPH. He chose a greasable Spicer set with zerks after finding the stock set had a noticable crack,his Excursion turned 100k miles when the problems started.

For the ball joints if it passes the wiggle test then I'd have an alignment check done as the shop will tell if you need new ones and if so definitely go with the greasable units

I'm in no way an expert on suspension I just note what owners have done in the recent past when issues start with their trucks

Bill

 

[overworkedunderpaid]

I can't see any noticeable play in the U-joints but I think I'll tackle them anyway.

I had the thing aligned about 4 months ago when I noticed the inside of the tires cupping out pretty bad. Got a bad taste from those people, SHE tried telling me I needed a new drag link because you could "twist" it, I looked at her kind of funny and noticed the 2 joints on each end of the link and said "are you sure that isn't supposed to be able to move? She told me, "nope, we just sold one to a guy last week" I questioned her some more and she decided to prove me wrong and picked up the phone and called the Ford dealer. Needless to say I was able to leave without getting that part installed, $485.00 is what they were going to charge me and if the dealer had one in stock I'm sure it would have been put on and then brought up to me when I paid the bill. So, I try to do as much work as I can myself so I know what's going on.