Drive shaft question

[bozz73]

Hi all,
Got a VT V6 Auto Wagon
It looks like I've got to replace the front spider on the drive shaft. The sealing rubbers on them have disappeared so the testing station failed me on it.

When I had a look at it myself I noticed some oil around the area the yoke fits in and I noticed when I pushed/pulled up and downwards that there was some movement of the yoke in the tail(case extension) of the gearbox.

My question is: how much movement is acceptable?

Cheerz

[MrSirWantalot]

dose'nt oil eat rubber away or is it just grease.....if its oil Id replace regardless

[moose man]

It depends on the type of rubber. They can be made of silicon, petroleum by-products or others that I can't think of right now.
All rubber seals made to seal petroleum lubricants are impervious to them. This has not always been the case (in cars built years ago).

It is normal to have some freeplay in the yoke. How much? Too difficult to describe in text. It shouldn't be leaking oil though. Seepage/wetting is fine, but not leaking.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

When you replace the rubber, replace the extension housing seal at the same time.

[bozz73]

Will do the seal as well.
Got quoted NZ$39,- for the universal joint spider assy. at Repco

Will let the yoke for what it is.

Reason for the question is that on motorway (smooth road) trips I notice a drive train vibration, something I noticed in another VT wagon as well.
Trying to sort it, but then prob have to do center bearing and rear spider as well to find that I need to re-balance the drive-shaft.
It's not bothering me that much.....
I also heard that there can be issues with alignment of the drive shaft.

Cheerz