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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Trucks / December 2006

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95 Suburban drive line vibration

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CraneB - 26 Dec 2006 02:49 GMT
95 Chevy Suburban
2WD - 3.73 Spicer 5 lug axle
5.7 TBI
305,000 on truck and engine.
Trans rebuilt at 286,000.

Vibration cones on around 62MPH.  Have used an old fashioned tire balancer
that spins the tires on the vehicle and have isolated it to the left rear.

Had highly respected 4WD shop go through rear end and put in new carrier,
pinion and axle bearings (I was hearing some whining from the rear end and
there was a lot of slack when shifting into/out of gear).  Truck feels much
better and it raised the point of vibration up to 65-66MPH (approx).  I
drive a lot of miles on the highway.

So, question is, what else could be likely cause of this vibration?  It is
annoying enough to rattle a half full (or less) can of soda in the cup
holder.  Very annoying.

This has been an excellent vehicle but this problem has been with me for
60,000 or so.  New tires didn't stop it (well maybe improved it slightly)
and with a truck this old, I hate to keep throwing big money at it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I would like to use this for another
2-3 years and pass it down to my son.

Thanks.
Bill - 26 Dec 2006 03:13 GMT
How about a drive shaft weight? Could one of them fallen off?

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please reply to  bargerw NO @ SPAM bellsouth.net and remove the NOSPAM

> 95 Chevy Suburban
> 2WD - 3.73 Spicer 5 lug axle
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Thanks.
jbrainey - 26 Dec 2006 03:33 GMT
> How about a drive shaft weight? Could one of them fallen off?
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> >
> > Thanks.

 Could be a U-joint not seated or centered in the output shaft on the
transmission or pinion shaft on the rear end. Check that or try rotating the
driveshaft 180* at one of the u-joints. Could also be a bent wheel or mabey
a problem with the front suspension. Any tire wear problems?  If I couldn't
find the problem myself,I would have a shop do a test drive.
CraneB - 26 Dec 2006 17:07 GMT
Thanks Bill,

I think I'll take the drive shaft out and run it down to a local guy in town
that balances drive shafts.  It can't be more than $50 or so for a
re-balance.

regards

> How about a drive shaft weight? Could one of them fallen off?
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>>
>> Thanks.
Frank S. - 26 Dec 2006 03:36 GMT
I had a problem with an 82 Chevy van drive shaft. The rear U joint was
not held tight in the rear yoke. As the shaft turned, the U joint would
slide up or down. At high speed, this was a nice vibration an a certain
(I don't remember what) which would go away at other speeds.
I would check for any "slop" in the U joints and any other problems with
the drive shaft
Frank

>95 Chevy Suburban
>2WD - 3.73 Spicer 5 lug axle
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
>  
Whitelightning - 26 Dec 2006 04:03 GMT
> Vibration cones on around 62MPH.  Have used an old fashioned tire balancer
> that spins the tires on the vehicle and have isolated it to the left rear.

The first thing I would do is move the left rear wheel and tire to the right
front.  If
nothing changes then its got to be in the drive axle, if it changes then
since you say
new tires get a good used rim.
If it doesn't change the next thing I would do is swap the brake drums side
to side,
and see if that changes things.  Those drums usually have balance weights on
them,
What happens at 65 mph when you hit the brakes?  At low speeds as coming to
a stop?
I wouldn't think a miss-centered drive shaft if you have been driving any
time like that, as the
vibration would really be ungodly, and it would crack the tail shaft on the
tranny(Don't ask it
was really ugly a Muncie bit the dust, lessoned learned don't trust friends)
.  Now then
if you have a three piece drive shaft, I would suspect the carrier bearing/
center support assy.
also if the when you tighten the straps that hold the u-joint to the yoke on
the diff its real easy,
this could be an issue as another posted suggested.  I never liked the
straps, prefer  good
old fashioned u-bolts my self.

Whitelightning
CraneB - 26 Dec 2006 17:03 GMT
Thanks for the advice.

Regarding your questions, I have replaced the drums (throwing more money at
it).  It has a one pieve, aluminum drive shaft about a mile long, but I have
not tried to have that checked/balanced.

When I het the brakes at 65, the truck slows down.  No special or increased
vibration.  I recently put new U joints in the drive shaft with no noticable
change.  Drive shaft is tight in the yokes at both ends.

I'm actually thinking it may be a slightly bent axle, although with the
center clips, you would think that this would be difficult to get them back
on as the bending would tend to shorten the axle.

If I put the tires/rims on the front, they are as smooth as float glass, but
whatever goes on the rear still shakes.

I must say I'm stumped but really appreciate everyone's post.  Please leep
the ideas coming!

regards

>> Vibration cones on around 62MPH.  Have used an old fashioned tire
>> balancer
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>
> Whitelightning
Whitelightning - 27 Dec 2006 16:59 GMT
> Thanks for the advice.
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> regards

I have seen the flange area of the axle get bent, but usually you get a
hurley gurly
kinda feeling out of the rear, like a tire with a belt separation..  If you
have access to a ball joint
dial indicator gauge, or a Rotor run put gauge you can check it that way,
Make sure you clean
any rust from the flange face where the gauge will ride, and turn the axle
by hand slow and steady.
If someone has been getting on it hard, I've seen axles get twisted, but the
place that rebuilt the
diff should have seen that if it was the case., and with a non posi trac
spool, I really wouldn't think that.

Shocks look good?  Springs in tact?  Bushings in the spring eyes good?

Whitelightning
CraneB - 28 Dec 2006 02:15 GMT
Going to try the axle run out tomorrow while the weather's warm here on the
EC.  I have a straight dial indicator and one of those little bendy clamp
sort of stand to clamp it in so I can check the run out.

I've been getting on it, all it's life without mercy.  Seems like a warped
flange would make the whole tire wobble somewhat and I had them flip the
axles when they redid the rear end.

It is not an open axle though, a limited slip/positive traction (whichever
Spicer calls it).  Eveything works fine there.  If I'm on a slippey boat
ramp and one tire even acts like it's going to spin, they both kick in.
Tried it in some slippery mud after the re-do and everything pulled
correctly.

I'll let you know if I find anything and thanks again.  You seem to have a
lot of experience in the Chevy realm.

regards

>> Thanks for the advice.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>
> Whitelightning
 
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