almost anytime im starting from a stop or just changing gears my drive shaft

sounds like its moving back and forth. it makes a loud clunking sound. i can

prevent it if i do it just right, but i shouldnt have to worry about trying to shift it at

just the right time or whatever. does anybody know what causes this and how i

can fix it. please help!

 

probably not the drive shaft, but rather a broken front differential mount

 

I think it's the cross there is one on either end of the drive shaft it's that joint that enables the driveshaft to be flexible i think u know what i'm talking bout....ok... u better get it fixed cause it will eventually fall out ok...

 

More like break off... If your rear goes thump thump thump at some time. expect a new driveshaft soon... thats what happened to me.

 

I can tell you without doubt this is a broken front differential mount. I had exactly the same problem on my '87TII and thought it was U-Joints. I babied it for ages before I found a discussion about it here.
I traded a computer for a good mount (& transmission, but that's another story) and replaced it in about 4hrs. Now, it shifts just like it should and I can get on it entering the freeway without any kind of special shifting. MUCH better!

- k -