2000 astro with skipping passenger axle

[CHEVY1]

Hello

I have read a few of the threads on this site and i am at a loss to what to think or consider
or ask a repair shop as it seems this issue is or can be many problems causing this. I would like to narrow it down so possible do it myself or have fixed , but I would like to sound that i know what i am talking about if take it some place else. I have had the gear lube flushed and replaced a few years back as was in bulletin at a Chevy dealership. Seemed to help a bit , but became more sticky. I just had new lube and a differential cover replaced because I was towing and it still skips. Mostly on short slow turns forward and backward it gets pretty bad sometimes.I do notice that when leaving a traffic light from a dad stop it seems to clang or bang a bit off acceleration(no noise just a feel) Any noises i can listen for? I am worried i may break axle or lock up the rear end specially while towing.I have had a dealership tell me 1000 to open and start looking. I have replaced all breaks , rotors and drums. new front suspension parts , new oil cooler lines, tune up and 1 injector about
2500 worth and she has 135,000 on it. I know that not one person can say this is the problem, but maybe with a few it would help me try to solve before I put another 2500 in it and maybe fix it. The transmission shifts very good and about 17 0n the highway . sorry so long and thanks to all for reading. signed Crazy !!! about this ahhhhhhhh

[94&92Astro]

I see not alot of people jumped on this bandwagon---This one is tough to explain-- I have this same problem. Kind of bad clicking noise (skipping) when rear end is under stress.. I have been living with it for a while.. Just have to let up on gas and go easy... Sorry no ansewers today but I am going to dig into it deeper and will get back with ya---(don't hold your breath) but I will be back! I have an 02 Safari with 160k----Gotta be something in the rear end!

[MikeS144]

is your Astro an AWD model by chance? there was a write up I saw some time back about flushing the Xfer case with a specific lube. My 94 AWD was doing exactly what you are talking about.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by MikeS144

is your Astro an AWD model by chance? there was a write up I saw some time back about flushing the Xfer case with a specific lube. My 94 AWD was doing exactly what you are talking about.

No--mine is RWD-not many AWD down here--I used to think it was tires rubbing against body because of oversized tires---Now I don't know WTF but planning on changing some bearings and fluids on the rear end---I'll let this thread know if I find anything---Gotta be something to this!

I use these battle wagons in my business---I have a 92--94--97 and 02 only the 02 has these symptoms---all RWD

[MikeS144]

Did you swap out the u-joints? That would be my next move.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by MikeS144

Did you swap out the u-joints? That would be my next move.

No but will take a serious look at them--Just can't imagine that could cause it--- but really don't know--Thanks

[jennhi]

I drove 100,000 miles in my astro AWD with a severe noisy jerking when I turned corners. Just today drained the transfer case, put in the auto-trak II transfer case fluid from the dealership-$9.00 a qt- drove 5 miles, went to some parking lots and made the tightest turns I could- shuddering, seizing- GONE. Unbelievable- problem solved! I wish I had seen the forums on this issue earlier, saw them a while back and didn't believe it could be that simple. IT IS! Change that fluid today!

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by jennhi

I drove 100,000 miles in my astro AWD with a severe noisy jerking when I turned corners. Just today drained the transfer case, put in the auto-trak II transfer case fluid from the dealership-$9.00 a qt- drove 5 miles, went to some parking lots and made the tightest turns I could- shuddering, seizing- GONE. Unbelievable- problem solved! I wish I had seen the forums on this issue earlier, saw them a while back and didn't believe it could be that simple. IT IS! Change that fluid today!

Neither do I---but we will see---I am presently changing rear bearings to quell road growl (I hope) Should have it knocked out today--Hope I am as lucky as Jennhi---Was planning on doing a couple of other things since I had it up but tripped over the spare tire and busted my __. Anyway I'll report back.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by 94&92Astro

Neither do I---but we will see---I am presently changing rear bearings to quell road growl (I hope) Should have it knocked out today--Hope I am as lucky as Jennhi---Was planning on doing a couple of other things since I had it up but tripped over the spare tire and busted my __. Anyway I'll report back.

First, as to the skipping--I would like to say this is something I have been dealing with for over a year-- I replaced the two axle bearings and replaced the differential fluid with some semi-synthetic Valvoline 80w-90. Of coarse the magnet in the cover was packed heavily with small metal shreds. I can proudly say the skipping is gone. I would guess as Jeni's previous post it was primarily the fluid--Yes the fluid... I don't think the main bearings were that bad and certainly didn't see anything there that would cause it... If you have this issue, I would simply change the fluid and clean off the magnet...Pretty simple job--just make sure you have a good set of jack stands -- (Oh and move the f__c__g spare tire out of the way) This victory however is bitter sweet as that "road growl" sound remains---I managed to also change the ujoints while I was having such a good time-- I'm still trying to figure out WTF it could be as I pretty much went over everything---Someone said something about the differential bearing--I'll look into that--but just made a trip down the interstate and I was cursing that frickin grinding sound every inch of the way--It's driving me crazy!!!!Sounds like it's coming from the rear axle somewhere--Any suggestions would be appreciated and When (if) I get it figured out I will report back...

[94&92Astro]

OK-- the skipping as we label it has not re-appeared since changing differential fluid---I changed the rear wheel bearings just for fun but didn't see any real issues there. After listening to the steady road growl, I determained it's either the pinion or carrier bearings inside the rear end. Fixing this is just beyond my ability and knowledge.. I got a pretty good idea of the procedure but like I said----but it has to be dealt with soo and I am looking at a couple of jy rear ends as this is something I can handle (I think) with a rattle gun and some devine intervention. May be awhile but I will report back... Old Master if your out there could have used a few words of wisdom...