Driveshaft spins in Neutral... Speedometer too!?

[Doug F]

Hey guys,

When I did a test Dustin recommended,to test my rear axle, I removed the rear driveshaft and when I started the motor to run on my front axle, I noticed that the rear intermediate shaft was spinning!? Eventually I got it to stop spinning (not sure how), slipped it into gear and went. Anyway, when I came back, it was all OK; thus not spinning. I read on a Jeep site that this could be from the pilot bearing/bushing being dirty or rusty.

Another thing I noticed when I started it without the rear driveshaft hooked up, the speedometer was bouncing as I sat still. I didn't even touch the speedometer cable or anything else related, anyone have any ideas what's going on?

Thanks in advance guys, you all have been a lot of help!

[FORDification]

More than likely it was just the thick viscosity of the 90W that was causing the shaft to spin. Once the fluid warmed up a bit and thinned out, the shaft would stop being affected. As long as the shaft is spinning, the speedo is going to move around a little too.

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

x2.

sometimes the wheels will also turn in neutral if they are jacked up due to the drag of the oil and the fact that the gears ride on the output shaft and are always turning as long as the clutch is released.