Drive Shaft Issue?

[xtmsports]

Hi guys,

 

I have a 2002 Chevy 2500HD with the 8.1L Crew Cab with Long bed.

 

I just started to notice a rattle underneath the truck when I let off the gas and also sometimes on the freeway when I give it gas.

 

I looked under the truck and noticed that the Drive shaft does not look right. Perhaps my rear shocks are bad and does not provide support for the rear, so it is pulling the driveshaft from the transfer case.

 

Can somebody please look at the attached pictures to confirm and recommend a way to push the drivesahft back into place? I had the drive shaft rebuilt about a year ago.

 

Thanks.

[2COR517]

Well, shocks don't support the truck, springs do. I'm having a hard time figuring that second pic out. Obviously you have a 2 piece shaft, which makes sense for that long wheelbase. I presume that on the second pic, left is the front of the truck. That center support bearing looks kind of nasty, and based on the way the shaft has moved (rearward) it would confirm that the front section is indeed pulling out of your case. My guess the reason why is that the slip yoke on the rear section has started to freeze up. If you hit a bump big enough to move the rear axle up significantly, it would be forced to push the driveshaft forward, and that movement was absorbed by the slip on the rear. But if it's getting chunky, it might have been less resistance to pull the center support bearing back than for the slip yoke to give. Looks to be sealed. Maybe it was never greased when the shaft was rebuilt.

 

Mostly guessing here, hopefully someone more familiar with the setup will chime in.

[xwire]

looks like your carrier bearing for the center drive shaft is trashed, that would give you a lot of noise while driving

[txab]

looks like your carrier bearing for the center drive shaft is trashed, that would give you a lot of noise while driving

 

A big +1

[plowking]

I agree with the others. If you zoom the bottom picture the center of carrier bearing is showing on the shaft and shaft has slide back about a couple of inches,causing it to pull out from transmission. If it pulls out to far you might get fluid leaking past the tailshaft seal. It should be fixed ASAP or driveshaft wear from being partly off the spline on transmission or hitting at u-joint end. The inner carrier bearing will have a collar to hold it in place on the shaft. Splines should be greased. some splines will have a graphite type of paint or coating to keep it from seizing. plowking

[terryk]

Agree with the center bearing being bad. I had to do mine. Do all of the u-joints while you are there and the rear transfer case seal. Mark where the center bearing is before you remove it so you can get it back in the same place but be prepared to move it slightly when you reinstall. Make sure the yoke at the transfer case seal isn't against the seal when you reinstall. Leave about a 3/4" gap.

[terryk]

.

[Draenor]

+1 on the carrier bearing. Is the drive shaft too short? It shouldnt back out like that.

[2COR517]

+1 on the carrier bearing. Is the drive shaft too short? It shouldnt back out like that.

 

I agree it shouldn't back out like that. Looks the center bearing was forced, which is why I suspect the slip yoke is dry.

[jlawles2]

While you are down there, check the transfer case. I see that it looks like it is covered in oil. Mine did that and I found a hole in the top of it. Known problem with the transfer cases on GM's.

 

Agree that the hanger bearing is past its useful life. Mark everything before removing the parts. It will make life much easier on the reinstall.

[korbin502]

I am very happy to see pictures on here. They are of course, worth a thousand words. I am having a similar problem without the shaft sliding out. My center support bearing is trashed. The rubber seal around it has deteriorated, and I get a sound underneath (almost like a pinging ) on acceleration when on an incline. I have always learned that if a seal goes out, there is a reason. One question is how do you grease what is under the boot in the pic? Could something in there be the cause of the center support going out? I recently replaced a rear pinion seal and noticed the support damage. I have now developed a strange vibration and I am going to try swapping my spare for each tire to see if it is driveline or tire related. Sorry if I jacked this string. I have noticed many discussions about this problem but, there never seems to be enough detail. Really appreciate all of the help this site has given!

[thevirg]

My 05 2500hd front driveshaft keeps getting pulled into the carrier bearing when i brake making a horrible sound.I have a 4inch lift and the noise started after i got new spline and yoke u-joint and bearing---I'm stumped cant make the noise stop