driveline shuttering under WOT acceleration

[revhardSHO]

I donno how long its been going on but since ive been driving my brothers 89 for the last week Ive noticed this strange driveline problem under WOT acceleration. 1st and 2nd gears are the worst, but 3rd and 4th are still bad. Normal acceleration is fine, but when you get on the throttle you get bad driveline viberations combined with a slight shimmy from the front end. Everything up there is nice and tight, MMs are good as are the subframe bushings (aluminum) and the car has new front struts, new ball joints and and new sway bar endlinks. Occasionally (Id say 10%) the car will drive fine all the way to redline no problem. I just changed the drivers side wheel bearing today (shot) but no change with the problem. Only thing I can think of would be a worn or damaged halfshaft. The drivers side outer CV joint felt a little stiff but the rubber wasnt ripped at all and it didnt have much play at all. What else could it be? Should I try swapping in new halfshafts? Any help would be appreciated, Id like to get this car working 100% before I give it back.

Thanks
Silas

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Could be a CV problem, or it could be the collars where the radius arm(s) (ok, strut rods) go through the subframe have broken off. That's a very common cause of otherwise inexplicable thunks and vibration.

 

[GoofSHO]

Had that problem with my brothers 91. Changed the half-shafts, problem GONE...

Brian

 

[DHMag]

inner joints on accel/decel. outer joints on turning. vibration/shuddering = inners

 

[revhardSHO]

Dale is the man again. I just checked it out and sure enough there is a small rip on the inner boot of the pass. side outer halfshaft. I will get right on it