Vibration while driving.

[turkeyshooter]

1988 Chevy K1500 Silverado 4x4 5.7 engine. Well I got new CV axles, and lower ball joints and all new tie rod ends, pitman arm etc last yr. I also got new Universal joints on the drive shaft. New Shocks. I am getting a vibration going down the rd that is pretty significant. I notice I am leaking some transmission fluid from somewhere. Looks like it is coming from the transfer case. Nothing to see on the transmission itself. There is a noise even when idling coming from where the engine bolts to the transmission. Engine was recently rebuilt. I was wondering if anyone thinks the vibration is from that or possibly the rear end. I notice some fluid leak at the seal on the drive shaft knuckle or whatever u call it where the drive shaft bolts onto the rear end. I wanted to check the fluid in the rear end but cannot find a plug where you can add fluid. Any ideas on this and can anyone tell me where u add the rear end fluid on this truck. I appreciate any advice. Please help soon as turkeys are starting to gobble and I need to be in the woods scouting for the upcoming season! Appreciate it in advance. I might add I also got a new exhaust system. It checks out fine.

[turkeyshooter]

Originally Posted by turkeyshooter

1988 Chevy K1500 Silverado 4x4 5.7 engine. Well I got new CV axles, and lower ball joints and all new tie rod ends, pitman arm etc last yr. I also got new Universal joints on the drive shaft. New Shocks. I am getting a vibration going down the rd that is pretty significant. I notice I am leaking some transmission fluid from somewhere. Looks like it is coming from the transfer case. Nothing to see on the transmission itself. There is a noise even when idling coming from where the engine bolts to the transmission. Engine was recently rebuilt. I was wondering if anyone thinks the vibration is from that or possibly the rear end. I notice some fluid leak at the seal on the drive shaft knuckle or whatever u call it where the drive shaft bolts onto the rear end. I wanted to check the fluid in the rear end but cannot find a plug where you can add fluid. Any ideas on this and can anyone tell me where u add the rear end fluid on this truck. I appreciate any advice. Please help soon as turkeys are starting to gobble and I need to be in the woods scouting for the upcoming season! Appreciate it in advance. I might add I also got a new exhaust system. It checks out fine.

Almost forgot. Also new Brake drums and shoes. Had the vibration prior to most of the work with the exception of the engine rebuild.

[turkeyshooter]

Well I told a story, I forgot to check the other drive shaft u-joints on the 4 wheel drive part. Those turn out to be bad so I am pretty sure that is where my vibration is coming from however, shouldn't that drive shaft free spin or not turn at all while it is in 2High? It seems that drive shaft is in a locked / engaged position even in 2high. Someone give me some input on that. I am not sure that has anything to do with the noise though coming from the torque converter area. We checked the flywheel bolts & they are all tight. It seems to quiet down considerably when you put it in gear. Talking about the noise, not the vibration.

[Tom]

You never mentioned the cause of 99% of the vibrations people feel while driving....Wheel balance.

[turkeyshooter]

Your probably right Tom except this is just a different kind of vibration like you get from universal joints. For some reason the 4 wheel drive - drive shaft is engaged apparently even while in 2 wheel drive and as it turns out I forgot about that shaft and those u joints need replacing.
I just wish I could figure out the noise coming from the area where the engine bolts to the torque converter. I think I am going to pull the transmission and then start the engine up and that will tell the story. I will know whether or not its the engine or transmission. I can pull that drive shaft off and drive down the road to check to see if the vibration stops. I appreciate your input though! I also got new tires on the truck that were balanced. I should have mentioned that.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by turkeyshooter

Your probably right Tom except this is just a different kind of vibration like you get from universal joints. For some reason the 4 wheel drive - drive shaft is engaged apparently even while in 2 wheel drive and as it turns out I forgot about that shaft and those u joints need replacing.
I just wish I could figure out the noise coming from the area where the engine bolts to the torque converter. I think I am going to pull the transmission and then start the engine up and that will tell the story. I will know whether or not its the engine or transmission. I can pull that drive shaft off and drive down the road to check to see if the vibration stops. I appreciate your input though! I also got new tires on the truck that were balanced. I should have mentioned that.

Glad to hear your narrowing it down. I don't know much [ok really anything] about 4wd so I'm not much help there. I just manage recon for a dealership and its almost always wheel balance so I thought I'd mention it. Good luck!

[turkeyshooter]

Thanks Tom, I took the smaller drive shaft out that goes to the transfer case and gives you your 4 wheel drive. No more vibration so I am putting new u joints in that one. One was ok but the other one was shot. The noise as it turns out is most likely coming from where the fellow that rebuilt my engine removed the smog pump and did not put a plug in that pipe that runs around the engine block that has something to do with that smog pump. SO hopefully that will take care of that when I get that done. That vibration also apparently messed the seal up in the transfer case just behind where that shaft bolts onto. It is leaking and that is another item to get replaced. Slowly but surely I will get her back in shape. Thanks for the reply!