is my driveshaft in trouble?

Do you have any movement on the slip joint?. I.e up and down. If not it's fine. If it has a grease niple just give it some grease, it looks dry. Do you feel any vibration while driving?

 

As said already, check for any up and down play. If not there, grease it and drive.

Martin

 

That's normal check carrier bearing like worthken said I would be more inclined to say u got tires outa balance for vibration problems. Cupped or chopped steers will make u think ur riding down the worst pothole filled gravel road. Check alternator or batteries and cables freightliners usually have a battery saver on them that cut voltage to acc. So engine will have enough left to run or start.

 

there's a gap between the seal and the shaft. and the clean portion of the shaft looks like it's lost a little material compared to the dirty portion.

i'm surprised it's not leaking.

defenitly wiggle that shaft to check movement. TA may say it's allright but i bet dealer will sell you some repairs.

 

The look is pretty common on that type of shaft with age. What probably happened is the dust cap seal fell apart and road on the shaft until it ate away some metal. The only thing you can do is keep checking it and if you feel play there is to install a used shaft or get a stub shaft and have a (proper) drive shaft shop weld it onto your old shaft.

That drive shaft probably does not have a grease fitting on the slip yoke. Someone may have installed one on it but it looks like a no maintenance shaft.

 

taking another look at that pic. looks like the seal is coming off.

the top portion looks like it's on more then the bottom portion. it's crooked. what's left of it.

 

you can also check and make sure your u joints are not same phase. (don't know how to explain it) or is it in phase.

 

Is grease coming out of that seal? Be sure the cap is still in the front of the yoke.

 

To the OP
Like Snowwy said,there is something happening with that shaft.
The seal is crooked so even if there is no play on the shaft.........it still needs a repair.
I hope you have some reserves.