Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
I'm back and stumped again. My 2001 F-350 4x4 has developed a "clunk" in the driveline when first decelerating or accelerating at any speed. It also developed an off an on driveline vibration problem at the same time. This did not come upon it slowly, started suddenly and while driving on a paved road. Thought I had this one nailed, a U-joint going out right? Wrong, took the drive shaft out and the joints were good but had them replaced anyway for good measure, same problem. Had the drive line balanced, same problem. Whats wierd about the "clunk" is I have an automatic, should have tension on the drive shaft at all times when in "D" right? Well, When I stop at a light it allways clunks once as I come to a stop and then clunks once again when I start to move . The vibration problem is weird also. It vibrates some at 40, goes away at 45 then its the worst at 50-60, then goes away completely at 70. It does not vibrate everytime I go though those speeds, just part of the time. There is a little in and out play in the shaft coming out of the transfer case and of course some backlash in the rearend gears but the dealer mechanic says both are OK. I'm stumped, any ideas?
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: League City
Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
Have you checked the upper and lower ball joints? I had a similar problem with mine, replaced the upper and lowers (lower was bad) and solved my problem. It's worth a try.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Maryland
Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
I had the same problem before. Check the rear u-bolts. Mine came loose. Put the truck in park and push the truck back and forth with your hands while watching the u-bolts, blocks, and spring mounts. It may be easier to get under the truck for a close look while someone else does the pushing.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 487
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From: Hibbing, MN
Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
Grease up or replace the slip yoke! Check the splines inside the yoke to see if their torqued, and make sure it's greased so it won't stick, thats the clunk.....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
Weird vibration, considering you had the shaft out, is probably because it is not Indexed properly... the relationship of each ends u jounts can be changed by 90, 180, or 270 degrees, and if they are not offset properly will cause vibration.
I do not know what the exact relationship on this two piece shaft is but someone will jump in with it..
When you lube the yoke, check out eurekaboy.com for pictures, you must again get the indexing back in line properly.
I do not know what the exact relationship on this two piece shaft is but someone will jump in with it..
When you lube the yoke, check out eurekaboy.com for pictures, you must again get the indexing back in line properly.
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Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
Well, I took the truck back to the driveline shop today and the guy crawled uner and said it is indexedOK, figiured it was since the vibration strarted while in operation, not after removal. He said that he had the slip joint apart for greaseing when he balanced it. Said they can't balance a shaft with bad u-joints or slip joint, made sence to me. While it was there they ran it up on the alinement rack and checked the bal joints. OK there too. Grrrrrrrrrr, I hate these kind of problems.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Twin Cities, MN
Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
Another possibility is one of the wheels has some lugs loose. We had a problem simular to what you describe. We checked ujoints first drove around still there. I started taking the rear wheels off and I found all the lugs had come loose. We have hub cabs on so we couldn't see them coming off.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: USA
Crazy driveline clunk and vibration problem
These problems can be hard to find.
I would look at the backlash in the rear dif.
Look for the carrier side bearings failing!
(Its common with ls units in these trucks)
Have you had any problems with your rear speed sensor ?
(Like alot of metalic particles attached to it)
Whats the mileage on this truck?
what happens is the side bearings start to wear and alow the ring gear to move away from the pinon gear on start up and on deceleration causes
clunk!
Also have them do a run out chk with a dial indicator on all Flanges in the drive line !
Rich
I would look at the backlash in the rear dif.
Look for the carrier side bearings failing!
(Its common with ls units in these trucks)
Have you had any problems with your rear speed sensor ?
(Like alot of metalic particles attached to it)
Whats the mileage on this truck?
what happens is the side bearings start to wear and alow the ring gear to move away from the pinon gear on start up and on deceleration causes
clunk!
Also have them do a run out chk with a dial indicator on all Flanges in the drive line !
Rich
