I still can not find the cause of my vibration. It feels like it is in the driveline. I took it in to a shop and they said one of my u joints had a little play in it. I found that hard to belive as i replaced them about a year ago and that was one of the first things i checked. They told me $350, and i told them i couldnt spend that much right now. (i wasnt going to pay that much money for something i could do myself) So on the way home, i stopped at my parts store and picked up 2 new joints, got home and took the driveshaft off and i felt no play in them. I took the driveshaft to my mechanic and he also said there was nothting wrong with them.

I had tires put on about 5,000 miles ago, but i had the vibration then. I took it back to the tire shop and had them rebalance them anyways. still have the vibration.

New ball joints in the front, new alignment.

I checked the seals where the yoke comes out of the pig and the transfer case....no play in it.

I am puzzled. It really feels like its in the driveline......maybe be driveshaft is bent ever so slightly. Can you take it somewhere and see if it is "true" and not bent??

One other note. the hubs are unlocked, so nothing in the front end is turning. My mechanic told me to put the truck in nutral when i feel the vibration and see if it goes away. If it doesnt, the rearend should be ok.
It only does it at speed of 60 and greater.

Anyone else have ideas???

 

Besides the having a shop check the driveshaft (yep you can have it done) you might check for a wheel thats out of whack.

 

It' possible the drive shaft is out of balance or bent and with the 4.30 gears this would be more noticeable due to the higher speed of the shaft, best bet would be to take the driveshaft a drive line shop that has the ability to balance. I have taken driveshaft's to a Heavy Truck Drive Line Shop ie works on Dump Trucks

 

The tire shop should have noticed if a wheel was bent or out of whack when tires were balanced.

 

Oh yeah... I neglected to remember that.

 

I had a similar type of vibration, turned out to be my u joint in the front axle? (something up front) not the main shaft. worth a look. I also had a ujoint go bad after 1 yr,

 

I have the front hubs unlocked, so my front axle is not turning, so it should eliminate that.

 

Well, i guess that will be the next step......take the driveshaft out and take it in and see how it checks out. $65 to do it.

 

Man I had almost the same issue, i tried everything known to man, come to find out my L/R rim was ever so slightly bent, replaced the rim and wow, i can drive again without the annoying vibration. This might not be your problem child, just giving you another option to check

 

I had wondered that, but it seems like they would have cought that when balanced the tires. I hate to spend $65 on balancing the driveshaft if it is not the problem.

 

I wouldn't make any assumptions. Typically they close a clamshell over the tire when they start the balance machine, so they probably won't notice a slightly bent wheel unless they are specifically looking for it. A bent wheel will balance.

You could rotate your tires and see if that changes the vibration...

 

You would think, The tire shop I used (not no more) missed it all together, I should have noticed the amount of weight they used to balance the tire, I would hit 45/50 mph and shake, rattle and roll, after a trip to DC, I was sooooo pissed that i took the truck to another tire shop to buy new tires(175.00 per) to see if that would help, when he took the old tire off, he told me the tire was still in great condition. He decided to rotate the rim by itself on the machine and what he showed me made it all come to the light as to my vibration problems, my rim was bent and you could see that sucker webbawobling on the machine. so no you can't rely on the tech to really catch it

 

I have the same issue. Vibrations from tires are TOTALLY different feeling from driveline vibrations. I too have 4.30's and this will just amplify the problem due to the increased shaft speeds. I can actually put my hand on the floorboard right between the drivers seat and feel the vibration in the floorboard. It is in the driveshaft or rearend. I am leaning toward the driveshaft as the slip yoke on mine has play. I searched all over the net and it was common on the Excursions.

 

You can verify your drive shaft vibration your self,this is how I did it.
Get band clamps(hose clamps,stainless steel),clamp's screws act as weights,
mount them on the shaft(tighten them),mounted mine 6 inch from the shaft end,I've started with 2,but you can start with 1,
go for a ride,you will probably notice some difference,for good or for bad,
now go under truck turn them 1/2 inch axially,tighten them,and go for a ride,
and so on until you get the sweet spot.I've ended up with 3 clamps on my d/shaft.
Took me about 2 hrs,well, in the summer time.
I forgot all about it till now (cause of you)and it is almost 1 year and 1/2,no vibrations and clamps still on.At list you'll know if it's your drive shaft.
Worked for me ,see no reason not to try,cheap and fast.
good luck

 

WOW....that is a good idea. Im gonna try it tomorrow! You just saved me $60.......rep points given!!!!!