I have a 1978 f150 and lately it has been making a gawdawful noise when I let off the gas and coast. It is coming from the front end or driveshaft. It is perfect when I am on the gas but as soon as i let off and coast it starts to make a almost a grinding sound. The ujoints seem tight but Im not too sure. It has the dana 44 front end. Any Ideas of what to do? How do I check the pinion tension?

 

HUH , WELL,,, Unless u got the Front Shaft Engaged, it shouldnt be making any noise , ,, But to quick check the pinion, grab the shaft near the diff yoke , you shouldnt have any up or down , or side to side play, try pulling the yoke in the diff towards you , an . try pushing it nack in the diff , Same with the u- joints try moving them up an down in there caps, or twisting the shaft side to side __ Ive seen the yokes so worn there was daylite between the cap an the yoke ..you might want to check your wheel brgs. for play , jack the tire up an see if theres any in an out or side to side play, up an down play ,, should be allmost NONE !!!.while your down there just check out all the brackets where they attach to the frame, get a long screwdriver to use as a pry bar an wiggle an shake every thing .

 

Any Chance you got the front hubs locked in ???? , I know I asked about the drive shaft from xfer. to front diff., Assuming that the hubs were not engaged,Ive seen where people just forget to unlock them after playing in the mud ? also you get whats called drive shaft wind up- thats from running around in 4-WD, for long period's of time. what you have to do is unlock the hubs an shift outta 4WD an back up for 20-30 feet. An its possible that you have a locking hub that has failed , even though you have unlocked it, the unit has come apart inside an still has hub locked , easy way to check is to jack up the wheel , turn the wheel around, watch shaft from wheel going to diff , it should not turn , if it does your locked in .