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A few weeks a go I had a bad vibration at speeds of 75 km/hr (45 mph) and above. Replaced my two universals as both were pretty much seized. This eliminated 90% of the vibration but I still get it at 90 km/hr (55 mph) and above. It seems to be not just in the steering but all through the vehicle. I have relatively new tires all around (about 6 months old) and had the two fronts re-balanced... didn't fix the problem.
Last night, while driving home down a long hill, I but the truck in neutral whil traveliing at 100 km/hr (60 mph) to drop the RPM and the vibration remained. This seems to eliminate the engine as a source of the problem.
Is there anything else that should be looked at? Did the bad universals cause other problems? Is there a bearing at the tail of the transmission or in the rear end that could be the problem?
Chock the wheels and take the truck out of gear. Grab the front of the driveshaft and see how much play there is in the tailshaft of the tranny. Also check for play at the rearend, to see if the pinion nut or bearings in the rear are loose. Also make sure you didn't tighten the u-bolts or straps up too tight on the rear u-joint. You don't want it to come loose, but if you crank on them too tight it will lock up the u-joint.
On rare occasions the balance weight will come off of the drive shaft. Check each drive shaft for a small weight spot welded on. Have a great day! Broncomule
The spot where it was would have a telltale of fusion weld on it. Most decent machine shops have the capabilities to rebalance it for you. Ask around your area. Have a great day! Broncomule
Big Red, Did you find the source of your vibration yet? I'm chasing the same type of problem.
Since I bought my truck 18 months ago, I put new tires on it, replaced the ball joints, U-joints, drive shaft, went through the rear end, replaced rear shocks.
Each thing I've done it got a little better. When I first bought it, it almost shook my teeth out of my head.
Now I'm running out of ideas. If anyone can think of anything else that would be great!
Another check would be to make sure your drivelines are straight and the slip joints don't have too much play in them. Chock the tires, put it in nuetral, jack it up and put a dial indicator on the middle of the driveline and spin the tire. If you've eliminated the yokes, tailshaft and pinion bearing, slip joint, and still have some movement with the dial indicator your driveshaft is bent.
Haven't curred it yet. All the wheels have been balanced but the vibration comes and goes at speeds 55 mph and above and seems to disappear over 70 mph.