shaking! what is it?

[theredmeadow]

Ok so I'm on my way to getting this thing back in running order, with the help of forum members I've been able to get all parts in.

I've taken off the bed and I have a few more questions now that I can see.

here's the damage from above.



this on my differential, what is it and what should be where that shiny part of it is?



Is there a way to patch that pipe without cutting it out and putting another piece in?



what are these pipe straps called and where can I get replacement? any online links?



why are there 4 bed mounts close together and Im only using the 2 front ones and if you look towards the bottom left of the picture there is the other mount which I am using.



Is there a way to strip this paint off the front emblem so I can see the blue again?

[Tillik]

subd

Checking my truck in the morning. I have a similar vibration. Every once in a while when going from 2nd to 3rd I have a thump sound.

[boynton]

this on my differential, what is it and what should be where that shiny part of it is?
that is your trailing arm and there should be a bushing in there, replace both (one on each end)

Is there a way to patch that pipe without cutting it out and putting another piece in?

no just fix it correctly and pay a shop $25-$50 to fix it correctly

why are there 4 bed mounts close together and Im only using the 2 front ones and if you look towards the bottom left of the picture there is the other mount which I am using.

probably another quality fix by the p.o.

Is there a way to strip this paint off the front emblem so I can see the blue again?

no it wont look correct-foggy/discolored, I'm sure paint thinner would work, but i would just pick up a new one...

[PowerdbyChevy79]

if you could send a pic of your truck when you first got it.....im not sure as to why the middle mounts are not being used ive never owned a longbed so im no good on that...but if your body lines are off that will help us find out whats going on...ya the shiney part isnt suppose to be seen...because of the hack job (sorry) your rearend has been shifting side to side ..the panhard bar is meant to help keep the rearend center..and its been doing its best but the bushings have worn down...your truck has been probably driving "crooked" if you were behind it, if you were driving behind it im sure you could tell...your probably geting unusual wear patterns on your tires too..sorry all this crap happened to you...but its good it happened now and not on the freeway or something..i commend you for wanting to tackle the issue..most people would just give up on it.especially with the hack job (sorry)...anyways the straps are muffler hangers..your local muffler shop can replace them.and while your there just get them to cut that piece with the hole and put a coupling there.. not a big deal.....you could use thinner to remove the black paint but you may "fog up" the blue..since your replacing the crossmember its a good idea to go ahead and replace the bushings for the trailing arms theyre cheap and you will hate yourself later if you have to replace them (you will its a matter of when)and take them off when you were already there..keep us posted wish i could help...but im in Texas...and send those pics of your truck..hope my info was helpful

[boynton]

what are pipe straps called and where can I get replacement? any online links?

Forgot this one. They are exhaust hangers and most auto parts stores have them. They are not year specific.

[theredmeadow]

let me tell anyone who's thinking about replacing a crossmember, it's a real pain in the butt to get those rivets out. A BIG PAIN! got em tho.

[jjzepplin]

Good job. The hard part is over. Were you able to get the pinion/yoke on your rear end tightened up or is your bearing shot?

[brad_man_72]

The shiny part next to your diff is the panhard bar and mount, it needs a bushing.
The trailing arms go from the diff to the crossmember that you are replacing.

[theredmeadow]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Good job. The hard part is over. Were you able to get the pinion/yoke on your rear end tightened up or is your bearing shot?

I did tighten the yoke just a little. it was loose. It's not too bad now. I haven't been able to install the crossmember yet. If you look at my pics can you tell me if there's a trick to getting that crossmember in? It doesn't seem like it's going to fit with the exhaust pipes in the way.

[jjzepplin]

Not sure I follow you here. It should be able to go in one side first then the other then bolt up. If the exhaust is in the way you could take it loose at the manifold or header and drop it some out of the way. If you have to cut it to get it out of the way then do it. this brace is more important at this time. Slip a piece of exhaust repair pipe over the cut ends and clamp together to get to the exhaust shop since you need other piping done anyway.

[theredmeadow]

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread as I have successfully swapped the crossmember and put everything back together. And most importantly it has corrected the vibration. I'm smooth cruising at 50,55,65, when I get to 72 and above it starts a little vibration but I'm sure that's normally for these old trucks!

[jjzepplin]

I am happy you got it fixed. It was not in good shape. You might just have some out of balance wheels now. Again- GOOD JOB! You probably saved your life as well as others.
Pics please!

[CC69Rat]

Glad we could help you brother and yes, I agree at 70mph its probably just a wheel out of balance.

I know this was tough to deal with man but you did a great job saving it.

[brad_man_72]

Vibrations aren't "normal" it could be a bent wheel/axle, unballanced driveshaft eating your trans tailhousing, tire out of round, exhaust mounts too solid.....

I've seen all kinds of mechanical failures cause by vibrations the owner didn't feel, including cracked transmissions, cracked transfer cases, worn/broken suspension parts, trashed tires.. so you're not done yet.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by brad_man_72

Vibrations aren't "normal"....snip....
so you're not done yet.

Completely agree. You should be able to drive her as fast as you can, for as long as you want, without feeling anything like that except
what's offered up by the "bumps in the road".

But you've really come a long way. Congrats!.
I'd love to see pics of the re-do as well.

On the "continuing saga":

I try to start with the least expensive potential fix first.

But, least expensive or not, I'd usually start with taking your rig to someone you trust for a simple wheel balancing (all around). If it fits
inside of the budget a wheel alignment is a high-value, yet nominal, expenditure.

I've forgotten about your driveshaft. I could read back, I guess, but I'm feeling lazy today. The best money I've ever spent on the truck...
...I think......was having a driveshaft built...balanced and built with good ends. I think it was under $200 and rules out a lot of possibilities
with very little guess-work.

Again, congrats.

[theredmeadow]

I guess I will start with the drive shafts being balanced because my tires, all 4, are brand new.

[CC69Rat]

Considering what you just fixed, if you're not feeling any vibration up to 70mph.. you're approaching 'normal' in my book. I have never ridden in any truck that didn't vibrate a little once you get close to 70mph.

Where do you feel the vibration? Is it in the steering wheel or under the truck?

[gonnuts]

I have what sounds like the exact same vibration on mine, been working on it since I got the truck. I started with different wheels & tires, then had the dif. completely rebuilt, then had drive shaft recut & balanced, with new joints & trans, yoke, now I just got my tranny back from being rebuilt, I was checking everything out while putting it back together and noticed the front u-Joint had a lot of play already (probably 2-3000 miles on it) also the yoke seemed to have a little slop to it. When I took the joint apart 1 of the caps had NO needle bearings in it! So I'm going back to the drive line shop tomorrow to see WTF is up with that. I'll let you know if I get it fixed because it sounds exactly like yours.
Jim

[brad_man_72]

Make sure the tires are ballanced AND ROUND. I saw a guy ballance a tire/wheel that had a half inch wobble. I had to tell him to stop. Pretty easy to check on the vehicle. If they are a little off that can be something you may decide you can live with. My trucks wheels have a little wobble, and a little vibration, Ill live with it until the wheels I want fit in the budget.

[theredmeadow]

Originally Posted by brad_man_72

Make sure the tires are ballanced AND ROUND. I saw a guy ballance a tire/wheel that had a half inch wobble. I had to tell him to stop. Pretty easy to check on the vehicle. If they are a little off that can be something you may decide you can live with. My trucks wheels have a little wobble, and a little vibration, Ill live with it until the wheels I want fit in the budget.

yeah that's a good point. I should probably check the wheel balancing first since I paid for the tire warranty anyway.

[tcoop68]

If you was shaking it in and out looks like your pinion has slack it should be tight against your crush sleeve, you might tighten the nut and see if slack goes away , no matter what you need to take it apart and check your races and brgs. If they look good it's possible somebody just did not tighten to specs. Also check your Carrier brg. If it's a two piece shaft.