02 Silverado - Driveshaft Noise Question w/ video

[WhiskeyBravo92]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and have a question about my 2002 Silverado 2wd pickup. The other day while driving with the windows down I noticed a strange noise while I was going appx 5 -10 mph. I jacked up the back and put it on jackstands and had my father put it in drive. To me to sounds like a bearing going bad it either the driveshaft support bearing or possibly a bearing in the tail of the tranny, but I have heard that that there are no bearings in the trail of the tranny. I wanted to see if anyone out there had the same issue. I have a video link to what I found upon inspection. Any insight would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance!

BTW, the truck has a 5.3 Vortec with 296,000 miles, engine replaced at 182,000 miles.

https://youtu.be/4THziOIdOtY

[kenny-1907]

To me that sounds like the u-joint is bad, especially the noise in makes right when it is put in to gear. I would change the u-joints.

[j cAT]

place the tranny in neutral rear wheels off ground and block the front wheels properly .. rotate shaft and inspect the u joints for any play/noise/rust etc... drop the drive shaft and inspect the u joints for any binding.. I would guess the U joint at the rear diff is worn/rusted binding.

there are many different U joints for these .. aluminum or steel drive shaft so make sure you get the correct parts..

[WhiskeyBravo92]

Ok, cool, thank you for the replys, driveshaft is coming out Saturday to inspect, thank you for the info! I will let you know what I find

[WhiskeyBravo92]

I took the driveshaft out and it turns out that it was the support bearing. Replaced it and all is quiet

However, now that the new bearing is installed at around 55 mph I get a slight vibration. It goes away a little over 63 mph or so.

I put it back in the same way it came out. Wondering if the bearing height in the support bracket was a little different.

Here is a video of the noise with the driveshaft out.

https://youtu.be/GQjnEsTlVQw

[Blue Bowtie]

Did you match-mark the spline for assembly in the same orientation?

[WhiskeyBravo92]

The slip joint that went into the tranny would only go one way, it had a wider spline in one place. Same with the slip joint just after the support bearing too.

[j cAT]

I have seen vibs @ certain speeds caused by the U joints.. then the shaft bal wt may have fallen off when you worked it.

I always paint marks on this when it is to be removed ..

[WhiskeyBravo92]

I'm going to inspect again tonight and see what I can find I will keep you posted, thank you for the info!

[rhandwor]

After you get the other replies checked and still have the problem I've found bad tail shaft bushings. They make a tool so you can change with out pulling the transmission.

[WhiskeyBravo92]

Good to know thank you for the information, glad the bushing can be repaired without taking tranny out, haha