2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Driveline Vibration...

[stevek]

I need help I have developed a vibration that can turn my cup holder into a paint can shaker! Going down the road from ~58-70mph my truck just shakes and shakes--almost feels lile I am going over a small speed bump every second. As soon as I get above 70 it clears up. It doesn't always do this either, only like 80% of the time. Also, when I come off the freeway it will do it as I coast on the exit ramp--just not as severe. I'm going to have the tires balanced and rotated Wednesday and am hopefull that will solve this, but that is not my usual luck. Anyone every exp anything like this?

 

[Extreme1]

Since it comes and goes based on vehicle speed and the speed it appears and disappears is consistant, it is a tire or wheel.



Here is what I did to balance my tires. I'll never pound lead weights onto a wheel again!

 

[fkovalski]

I had a similar problem. It turned out to be my mid carrier bearing. The symptom did not occur at idle (i. e. not moving) It seams that at a certain MPH it would somehow off set the vibrations at the lower speeds. The dealer replaced the entire rear driveshaft under warranty and solved my problem. I have only 33K on it and am wondering if I'll have to do this on my own in another 33K? Might be worth a closer look at this on your truck. -frank

 

[tractorface]

It's worth checking the shocks and the upper bushings on the front shocks. I had spend a lot of time getting the tires right but my ride progressively got worse, usually at the speeds you mentioned. I checked the truck over and found that the shock bushings were shot even though the shocks are only 2 months old. My fault. You can check your shocks pretty easily by bouncing the front end and looking at how well the shocks control the rebound. Mine kept bouncing even though I run new Bilsteins, that is how I discovered the bushings.



I am not a CTD ride expert so I am following this thread closely. I have been chasing this for a while. I think I have it now but won't know for sure until my new bushings arrive.

 

[Jpolk1]

I am in the middle of somewhat the same stick. . I developed a well what would sound like a exhaust leak coming i from a trip at around 65 MPH. As I came in off the highway and at around 10-15 MPH my truck started to vibrate like a rig that had aggressive mudders on it. I thought I may have a bad tire so I re- installed the OEM's wellllll this made no difference. Off to the dealer I go they tell me its the carrier bearing but can't get to it till next week due to the bearing being a "odd one" I tryed local parts stores but none of the ones they have look anything like the one thats on my truck. . (2000 2500 4WD Ex cab)

 

[KFroese]

i get the same thing in my 97 4x4. i get a vibration around 65-70 mph. if i go above or below that speed it goes away. but it does not do it every time. i thought about replaceing all the u joints and carrier bearing. but i'm not convinced thats it. i figured if it was tires or in the drive shaft it would do it all the time. i'm kind of stumped on this one.

 

[redram]

For the original post - put money on it that it is a carrier bearing.

The rubber doughnut has weakened or is cracked (broken) and when the drive shaft speed (rotation) goes thru the harmonics (increase in the vibration amplitudes) is where your shaking comes from.



I've had it happen on my 89 CTD, my 96 CTD and on my 80 Chevy Van - all with the two piece drive shafts and a carrier bearing.



It will happen both on increasing and decreasing vehicle speed as this is varying with road speed. Unrelated to engine speed as the driveshaft is not turning relative to engine speed as it is past the transmission and hooked to the diff.



This problem can be aggravated / increased by worn u-joints or a bent drive shaft or "jacked" / loaded truck due to change in the drive line angles.



PS- No - you will not have to replace this carrier bearing every 30K.

 

[zap]

I had the same sort of thing and it turned out to be the rear u joint.

 

[stevek]

Well, I do have Skyjacker Coils on my truck so that might explain part of it. How involved is the carrier bearing, would I be just as ahead rebuilding the whole driveshaft? What kinda cost are we talking? Thx

 

[stevek]

While I was filling up tonight I got to playing with the front end and I noticed that I can move my front shocks by hand--not much, but they wiggle. Do you think this could cause the vibration? I am planning on having my driveshaft rebuilt in the next two weeks, so maybe I'll have some luck there...

 

[hammersley]

I'll bet you have a Bad U-Joint.

The same thing happened to me - check out this post: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42212&highlight=transfer+case and

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48729&highlight=u+joints

 

[Dennis Garrett]

MY 97 makes a slight shudder in locked-up "D" only, at about 70-75mph. It's smooth up to & after that point. It's agrivated by torque, and will go up through that range smoothly if at very light throttle. U-joints are fine, rear end seems good, but seems to have some spline slop where the yoke slides into the rear of the transmission. How much free play longitudinaly is normal there? In my mind's eye, I can imagine the vibration coming up from that area. Might need to take my one piece drive shaft in for a balance check too. That might cause it to vibrate at the transmission end.

 

[KFroese]

Dennis



my 97 4x4 does the same thing. i recently changed the u joints the carrier bearing and had it balanced as a unit. but the vibration/shudder is still there.



i don't know what to try next