V3500 funny noise, funny situation - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MTCK · 11-30-2013, 02:14 AM

I dug out my 91 V3500 to help a coworker who's Ferd died during our current cold snap. It's a F350 Powersmoke flat bed, ~9,000 lbs empty and he needed a tow up to his house. No problem, except the house is at the top of a ~12% grade, 300-400 yards that is covered in hard-pack snow.

First attempt I was in 4 hi, 1st gear and was powering out and loosing steam until it started to spin, then it was all over. As I started to loose steam, (WOT) I started to hear a loud click (soft bang?) with increasing frequency as I slowed down. When progress stopped, I got out and it was evident from the tracks that I was spinning one tire in the front, and one in the back as you might expect with open diffs.

Second attempt, I had chains on the rear, was in 4 low, 1st gear. I had plenty of power this time, but again started to spin about 30 yards further up the hill and then lost forward progress. Same noise as before, seemed to be same frequency. Didn't try a third attempt, he needs a grader or a tow truck to get that pig up the hill.

Drivetrain is as shown in my signature. The only slop I noticed when doing the once over when I bought the truck was in the rear driveline / t-case. With the shifter in park, I could turn the rear driveshaft 5-10 degrees and it would hang and click slightly when it released. I thought it was odd, but plan on going through the drivetrain thoroughly when I repower the truck so didn't lose any sleep.

Any ideas? It drives smooth as the day is short (in AK in the end of November) around town in 4 - hi. The long wheelbase and tall skinny tires are great on slick roads compared to my SWB!

Thanks.

Morgantown Mafia · 12-05-2013, 01:27 PM

Does the rear have a Detroit locker in it?

MTCK · 12-05-2013, 03:29 PM

Nope, open diffs front and rear.

**argonaut** · 12-05-2013, 09:26 PM

Bad u-joints somewhere?

MTCK · 12-05-2013, 09:51 PM

The more I think about it I'm leaning towards bad spider/side gear (quiet when cruising around, starts making noise with increasing frequency as I start to spin one tire) in the front or rear diff, or a bad u-joint at the steering knuckle on the wheel that was spinning fast.

11-30-2013, 02:14 AM	#1
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	V3500 funny noise, funny situation I dug out my 91 V3500 to help a coworker who's Ferd died during our current cold snap. It's a F350 Powersmoke flat bed, ~9,000 lbs empty and he needed a tow up to his house. No problem, except the house is at the top of a ~12% grade, 300-400 yards that is covered in hard-pack snow. First attempt I was in 4 hi, 1st gear and was powering out and loosing steam until it started to spin, then it was all over. As I started to loose steam, (WOT) I started to hear a loud click (soft bang?) with increasing frequency as I slowed down. When progress stopped, I got out and it was evident from the tracks that I was spinning one tire in the front, and one in the back as you might expect with open diffs. Second attempt, I had chains on the rear, was in 4 low, 1st gear. I had plenty of power this time, but again started to spin about 30 yards further up the hill and then lost forward progress. Same noise as before, seemed to be same frequency. Didn't try a third attempt, he needs a grader or a tow truck to get that pig up the hill. Drivetrain is as shown in my signature. The only slop I noticed when doing the once over when I bought the truck was in the rear driveline / t-case. With the shifter in park, I could turn the rear driveshaft 5-10 degrees and it would hang and click slightly when it released. I thought it was odd, but plan on going through the drivetrain thoroughly when I repower the truck so didn't lose any sleep. Any ideas? It drives smooth as the day is short (in AK in the end of November) around town in 4 - hi. The long wheelbase and tall skinny tires are great on slick roads compared to my SWB! Thanks. __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

12-05-2013, 01:27 PM	#2
Morgantown Mafia Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: morgantown,ms. Posts: 8	Re: V3500 funny noise, funny situation Does the rear have a Detroit locker in it?

12-05-2013, 03:29 PM	#3
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: V3500 funny noise, funny situation Nope, open diffs front and rear. __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

12-05-2013, 09:26 PM	#4
argonaut Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,813	Re: V3500 funny noise, funny situation Bad u-joints somewhere? __________________ Jason M. @argonaut62 1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise 1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly 1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 1996 Ford Bronco XLT 1980 Jeep Wagoneer 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2005 Honda RC51 1981 Honda CB750C No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble!

12-05-2013, 09:51 PM	#5
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: V3500 funny noise, funny situation The more I think about it I'm leaning towards bad spider/side gear (quiet when cruising around, starts making noise with increasing frequency as I start to spin one tire) in the front or rear diff, or a bad u-joint at the steering knuckle on the wheel that was spinning fast. __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck



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