deep rumble and small vibration 63 to 73 MPH

I have a 1996 Tahoe 2 door with 160,000 miles. It runs and drives as smooth as glass. My only problem is when I accelerate between 63 and 73 MPH there is a deep rumble and small vibration coming up through the floor area. The steering wheel does not shake nor can you feel any difference in the steering wheel. The same sound and vibration happen (but not as loud) when it decelerates. I have checked the drive shafts (4x4) and ujoints and they don’t appear to be loose. I bought the car used a few months ago. Chevrolet rebuilt the rear-end about 10,000 miles ago. I need some helpful ideas on where to look next. I don’t have a code machine to run on it. Thanks Dave

I've got 96 Yukon (same thing as a Tahoe, just a GMC) with a little over 100,000 miles. I'm on my third rear u-joint (one by the rear diff). What you described sounds like what I have found when my u-joint is starting to fail. I don't think it's a case where the u-joint is loose...I think when the u-joint starts to go, it becomes stiffer becuase the needle bearings are wearing out. It should a under $100 dollar repair for the u-joint.

I replaced the u-joint and the problem is still there. Any other ideas??? Thanks for any help. Dave

Did you replace both sets?

You could also be losing the bearing in the tailshaft of the tranny.

aero246,

are you taking about the bearing in the transmission itself or the pinion bearing in the differential?

I just remembered that my parents 76 buick had such a noise problem and the dealer said that the rear diff pinion bearing was wearing out.

Yes, it could be a bearing in the transmission itself, in the back part. You are also correct, it could very well be the pinion bearing too.

I now have both u-joint replaced. The job went well with a small butane torch and the new u-joints in the freezer, it was easy. The old u-joints were well greased and looked OK. The vibration and rumble is still there. Could it be a back tire? The steering wheel has no vibration in it and the vibration and rumble is the same with the Trans in 4 or 3rd gear. Also it makes no difference if you accelerate up through 63-73 or foot off the gas and go down 73-63. I bought the Tahoe used and the rear end was rebuilt by GM not long ago. Thanks for any help or ideas. Dave

Thanks for all the help from everyone. I bought new ones from NAPA and froze them. I dropped out the drive shaft and pulled the clips and used a butane torch to heat up the outer edges of the ring and drove out the old with a small pipe. Got the new parts from the freezer and drop them in. Too bad it did not stop the rummmble and vibration at 63 to 73 MPH. O well life goes on and I will keep looking for the problem. Dave

Thanks for all the help from everyone. I bought new ones from NAPA and froze them. I dropped out the drive shaft and pulled the clips and used a butane torch to heat up the outer edges of the ring and drove out the old with a small pipe. Got the new parts from the freezer and drop them in. Too bad it did not stop the rummmble and vibration at 63 to 73 MPH. O well life goes on and I will keep looking for the problem. Dave-------------------Check your front calipers.If they are the stock ones at 160 k it could very well be the problem.Pull out the pads and check for leaks around the piston rubber.If its wet than get new ones .They are fairly cheap at autozone .About 2 years ago I had a weird grumbling grinding noise and it turned out to be my front left caliper.........Good luck...