My recently purchased 81 GL wagon has a pretty loud rumble between 35 and 45 mph that seems to come and go. At times it is rather intense, feels like a u-joint ready to fly apart, other times barely noticeable. I haven't had a chance to get under it to check the rear driveshaft yet, ( I hate working in the snow) but was tinkering a little today and looking from under the hood noticed that the inner cv joints seem to be at a pretty sharp angle down.

I don't know if a previous owner may have lifted it some by changing the struts to longer ones causing this, or if it is normal for these cars. Any one notice the angles on their inner joints?

I have tried popping it in and out of 4wd, gassing it, backing off, pushing clutch in at speed and nothing seems to affect the vibration. I also feel the vibration some in the wheel at times which has me wondering about the front shafts.

Sorry for the long post, it is getting late and I tend to ramble.

Rumbles are often wheel bearings.

Jack it up and feel for roughness /looseness.

 

4wds have ride height adjusters on the front struts.

Might be cranked all the way up.