INSANE '88 B2200 noises

[*Corporate Tattoo*]

I am new to this site so my problem might already have been answered, but I couldn't find it, so here goes. My truck was a mechanics before it was mine, and it has run perfectly until about a month ago. When I reverse, I hear thunka thunka thunka, until I'm done. When I drive forward...the same. When I get to third, it leaves, but it will intermittently return while I'm driving. It sounds like the ass is going to fall off. I checked the driveshaft and fluid and its ok. Also, you can drive it with the E brake engaged. Now I know that isn't right, but I also don't know where to look. Please help, it's my only vehicle until I get my MPV back on the road.
Thanks, Jennifer

[smuryof]

I am new to this site so my problem might already have been answered, but I couldn't find it, so here goes. My truck was a mechanics before it was mine, and it has run perfectly until about a month ago. When I reverse, I hear thunka thunka thunka, until I'm done. When I drive forward...the same. When I get to third, it leaves, but it will intermittently return while I'm driving. It sounds like the ass is going to fall off. I checked the driveshaft and fluid and its ok. Also, you can drive it with the E brake engaged. Now I know that isn't right, but I also don't know where to look. Please help, it's my only vehicle until I get my MPV back on the road.
Thanks, Jennifer
[/b]

Jennifer,

Best bet is to have a friend over on Saturday (maybe bribe them with pizza or ice cream or something) so that you have transport - and then chock the front wheels, stick the back end of the truck up on jack stands, and examine it for awhile. Pull both rear wheels off, turn the axle by hand, look for obvious binding or wobbling. If you find a loose brake shoe or lug, for instance, your friend can take you to the parts store without having to put it all back together again (since its your only vehicle.) Plus two sets of eyes are better than one. It could be

• A bent axle
• A loose brake shoe
• Driveshaft rubbing the chassis (look for shiny metal on the underbody - I actually did this once by installing it wrong, and it did something similar to what you describe)
• Loose lug or lugnut
• Plenty of other things I'm not thinking of right now

So, just pull the wheels off and let your observations tell you the story. With the parking brake off and the truck in neutral, you should be able to turn the brake drums by hand - they may be stiff, but should turn.

When you say you checked the fluid, did you mean the rear differential fluid?

-Jim

[*Corporate Tattoo*]

Jim,
Thanks so much for your help on the subject of the clunk and grind noise. Well now I do sort of know what it is... the driveshaft fell out last night. It hit the ground and put on my brakes! Everything is intact except for the metal sleeve in the centre which slipped down,and it is disconnected at the front end of the truck. What is this thing that has given out? How do you think I may be able to fix it? What should I look for when I get under it? I guess I need to look for clues right? Please message me back as soon as you can, I am going to look at it today. Thanks again Jim.
Jen

[smuryof]

Jen,

Did the front or back of the shaft fall? If it was the back, the sleeve thing you're talking about could be part of the universal joint. Anyway I hope it was, since these aren't that expensive.

-Jim