2002 TrailBlazer front axle disconnect bearing failure.

Here is a disconnect bearing failure that allowed the thrust washer inside to wear to the point of slipping out of position and blocking movement of the shift fork.

[@coffeefish]

That tri-pod universal joint move like that. To see if there's play in the disconnect bearings you really need a good inspection mirror.

[@thomasjbaker7688]

I did replace the disconnect unit. To address the old comment that a tri-pod moves this way, NO, it does not. The movement shown here is a failure of the outer bearing of the disconnect. There should be no such movement as seen here in this video.

[@macknumber9]

Did you replace the 4x4 disconnect?

[@DonRoger_Family1]

So how do I fix it?

[@macknumber9]

Trying to diagnose my highway speed vibration...my disconnect also has a lot of play... I know both cv axles are moving...but is there also movement occurring at the intermediate shaft from the driver side cv axle? Does the driver side cv axle keep the intermediate shaft moving? Or is it all moving but just not being connected? This would help me diagnose if this bearing failure from I side the axle disconnect a possible suspect in my highway speed vibration concern

[@thomasjbaker7688]

Yes, the intermediate shaft is nearly always spinning. Generally the front driveshaft spins due to friction inside the transfer case clutch pack and the rotation of the drivers side cv axle. It may surprise a lot of people that most often, while rolling down the highway the intermediate shaft is actually spinning backwards. When cold at 65 mph mine spins about 1200 rpm backwards. This drops to about 700 or so once all the fluids are fully warmed up. Don't discount the possibilty of a driveshaft being out of balance. It happens.