Strange noise from drivetrain.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 05-24-2003, 07:17 PM

My truck has developed a new noise coming from somewhere between the beginning of the driveshaft and the rear axle. It is a squeaky, sometimes draging noise. It happens when the truck is cold, and i give it alot of gas in 1st gear (like over 2800rpm). Then, it will stop and happen again when i give the truck a little gas and am crusing around. It sounds like it is coming from the rear of the truck, and it dosen't happen if i rev the engine in park. It seems to happen most when it is cold, but it will happen sometimes for no apparent reason. I crawled underneath the truck,and my carrier bearing and all the U-joints look just fine. I doubt it is coming from my rear axle (they make more of a whining noise don't they?), and i can't find anything dragging anywhere. Next i am planning on pulling off the brake drums and taking a look. Any idea on what may be causing this? It is driving me nuts, and my truck sounds like a huge POS when i try to drive it.

cableguy0 · 05-24-2003, 08:14 PM

just for kicks spray that carrier bearing with some wd-40 or any spray lubricant see if the noise dont go away even though the bearing is ok doesnt mean it has any lubrication left in it

**old Rusty C10** · 05-24-2003, 08:19 PM

also if ya got fittings on it lube your u joints ive gotten strange noises outta them things

Class of 69 · 05-24-2003, 08:28 PM

The u-joints can look fine, but be dry inside, and make the noise you describe. Like old Rusty said, try lubing them. If the noise goe's away, replace them ASAP, cause they WILL fail. If no grease fittings, look very closely with a good light at where the cap meets the cross, if you see a fine redish powder at that seam, replace them ASAP!! If they seize, and bind up, they will snap like a dry branch.

crazy longhorn · 05-24-2003, 08:29 PM

Id bet on the carrier bearing......if I was a gambling man

The U joints will also make noise when they get dry......usually more so in reverse (squeak,squeak ,squeak). good luck,crazyL

Class of 69 · 05-24-2003, 08:45 PM

Allright!! two for the carrier bearing, and two for the u-joint! anti up boys!

ddsmith · 05-24-2003, 09:14 PM

I vote for the carrier bearing as the culprit.

lukecp · 05-24-2003, 09:29 PM

I replaced the carrier bearing last year with a Federal Mogul part, but i left the U-joints alone (they looked OK). I have been gettting a sqeuak-squeak-squeak from the rear of the truck while driving on my bumpy road, and i merely thought it was just because the truck is old. Also, if i give the truck a little bit of gas in 2nd gear, then let off and the auto tranny upshifts to 3rd, i get a nice audiable "clunk" throughout the drivetrain.

I guess i will give everything a good lube with grease and WD40 tomorrow. I haven't lubed the Ujoints in the 23,000 miles i have owned the truck, and who knows when they were lubed before that :S.....

Thanks alot for the help

lukecp · 05-25-2003, 01:05 PM

I just got done lubeing the U-joints. The front two had grease fittings, but the rear one didn't. I lubed both of them and took it for a spin. It made absolutley zero weird noises, so i guess the problem is solved for now. So, this means that i should be looking into replacing all three U-joints? I really don't want to screw with it myself, so i will proably take it to someone to get it done. About how much would labor cost to replace all 3 U joints and the carrier bearing?

*67Fleetsidedream* · 05-25-2003, 01:25 PM

Replace the U joints and the carrier bearing. If the noise is gone then you fixed the problem, if the noise is still there then it will be the tranny or the rear end. U joints are farely cheap and so is the carrier bearing.

Ben

71-longbed · 05-25-2003, 02:35 PM

carrier is about 30 and all 3 u joints is abou the same ....plus labor... i was quoted 190 bucks last year to just change the u joints .....i decided to hold off.... instead i did what you did and just crawled underneath and made sure they all had lube .... i wonder why that last one by the diff. doesn't have a grease zert??? i search that u joint for 10 minutes thinking i was missing it .... any ideas

**Stocker** · 05-25-2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71-longbed
.... i wonder why that last one by the diff. doesn't have a grease zert??? i search that u joint for 10 minutes thinking i was missing it .... any ideas

Not all u-joints have zerk fittings... I dunno why not. Lubed-for-life I guess; the life of the part. Hah! See if it has a nearly-flush plug. If it does, unscrew it and put in a zerk.

Since you replaced the carrier bearing last year, it might still be good. But since u-joints haven't been greased regularly, don't just do one - replace all three.

Class of 69 · 05-25-2003, 10:44 PM

And the u-joints WIN!! If you plan on keeping the truck get a good quality u-joint, not the cheap one's, they won't hold up!

Longhorn Man · 05-25-2003, 11:31 PM

Quote:

i get a nice audiable "clunk" throughout the drivetrain

That would be a u-joint.
Like they said, some U-joints don't have fittings, and I kinda like them better...not just becouse I am lazy, but I just hauled my wife's old daily driver to the bone yard (92 S-10 blazer) and it had 140,000 miles on the clock....original U-joints, and no fitings. That alone is enough to sell me on them.

05-24-2003, 07:17 PM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Strange noise from drivetrain.... My truck has developed a new noise coming from somewhere between the beginning of the driveshaft and the rear axle. It is a squeaky, sometimes draging noise. It happens when the truck is cold, and i give it alot of gas in 1st gear (like over 2800rpm). Then, it will stop and happen again when i give the truck a little gas and am crusing around. It sounds like it is coming from the rear of the truck, and it dosen't happen if i rev the engine in park. It seems to happen most when it is cold, but it will happen sometimes for no apparent reason. I crawled underneath the truck,and my carrier bearing and all the U-joints look just fine. I doubt it is coming from my rear axle (they make more of a whining noise don't they?), and i can't find anything dragging anywhere. Next i am planning on pulling off the brake drums and taking a look. Any idea on what may be causing this? It is driving me nuts, and my truck sounds like a huge POS when i try to drive it. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

05-24-2003, 08:14 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	just for kicks spray that carrier bearing with some wd-40 or any spray lubricant see if the noise dont go away even though the bearing is ok doesnt mean it has any lubrication left in it __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

05-24-2003, 08:19 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,306	also if ya got fittings on it lube your u joints ive gotten strange noises outta them things __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

05-24-2003, 08:28 PM	#4
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	The u-joints can look fine, but be dry inside, and make the noise you describe. Like old Rusty said, try lubing them. If the noise goe's away, replace them ASAP, cause they WILL fail. If no grease fittings, look very closely with a good light at where the cap meets the cross, if you see a fine redish powder at that seam, replace them ASAP!! If they seize, and bind up, they will snap like a dry branch. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

05-24-2003, 08:29 PM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Id bet on the carrier bearing......if I was a gambling man The U joints will also make noise when they get dry......usually more so in reverse (squeak,squeak ,squeak). good luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

05-24-2003, 08:45 PM	#6
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	Allright!! two for the carrier bearing, and two for the u-joint! anti up boys! __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

05-24-2003, 09:14 PM	#7
ddsmith Glowing since 1978 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lusby,MD,USA Posts: 532	I vote for the carrier bearing as the culprit. __________________ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper

05-24-2003, 09:29 PM	#8
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I replaced the carrier bearing last year with a Federal Mogul part, but i left the U-joints alone (they looked OK). I have been gettting a sqeuak-squeak-squeak from the rear of the truck while driving on my bumpy road, and i merely thought it was just because the truck is old. Also, if i give the truck a little bit of gas in 2nd gear, then let off and the auto tranny upshifts to 3rd, i get a nice audiable "clunk" throughout the drivetrain. I guess i will give everything a good lube with grease and WD40 tomorrow. I haven't lubed the Ujoints in the 23,000 miles i have owned the truck, and who knows when they were lubed before that :S..... Thanks alot for the help __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

05-25-2003, 01:05 PM	#9
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I just got done lubeing the U-joints. The front two had grease fittings, but the rear one didn't. I lubed both of them and took it for a spin. It made absolutley zero weird noises, so i guess the problem is solved for now. So, this means that i should be looking into replacing all three U-joints? I really don't want to screw with it myself, so i will proably take it to someone to get it done. About how much would labor cost to replace all 3 U joints and the carrier bearing? __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

05-25-2003, 01:25 PM	#10
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Replace the U joints and the carrier bearing. If the noise is gone then you fixed the problem, if the noise is still there then it will be the tranny or the rear end. U joints are farely cheap and so is the carrier bearing. Ben

05-25-2003, 02:35 PM	#11
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	carrier is about 30 and all 3 u joints is abou the same ....plus labor... i was quoted 190 bucks last year to just change the u joints .....i decided to hold off.... instead i did what you did and just crawled underneath and made sure they all had lube .... i wonder why that last one by the diff. doesn't have a grease zert??? i search that u joint for 10 minutes thinking i was missing it .... any ideas __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

05-25-2003, 10:44 PM	#13
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	And the u-joints WIN!! If you plan on keeping the truck get a good quality u-joint, not the cheap one's, they won't hold up! __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..



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