Name That Drivetrain Noise

burnthefurniture · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

grimmysnr · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

burnthefurniture · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

Checked and changed it when I got my new gears about 4 months ago. Its at its correct level and fluid is in good shape. Made this noise prior to any work on the rear axle too.

degss · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

Checked and changed it when I got my new gears about 4 months ago. Its at its correct level and fluid is in good shape. Made this noise prior to any work on the rear axle too.

i know you said you checked the u-joints.but you need to pull the rear drive shaft,i bet you have a dried up u-joint front or rear in the rear drive shaft.seen it a million times

txab · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

Checked and changed it when I got my new gears about 4 months ago. Its at its correct level and fluid is in good shape. Made this noise prior to any work on the rear axle too.

i know you said you checked the u-joints.but you need to pull the rear drive shaft,i bet you have a dried up u-joint front or rear in the rear drive shaft.seen it a million times

+1 on pulling DS and hand checking all U-joints.

burnthefurniture · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

Checked and changed it when I got my new gears about 4 months ago. Its at its correct level and fluid is in good shape. Made this noise prior to any work on the rear axle too.

i know you said you checked the u-joints.but you need to pull the rear drive shaft,i bet you have a dried up u-joint front or rear in the rear drive shaft.seen it a million times

I'll try that tomorrow, I need to grease up the slip yoke anyway. Any tricks or tips on checking the joints? What should I look for to indicate that they're bad?

txab · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

Checked and changed it when I got my new gears about 4 months ago. Its at its correct level and fluid is in good shape. Made this noise prior to any work on the rear axle too.

i know you said you checked the u-joints.but you need to pull the rear drive shaft,i bet you have a dried up u-joint front or rear in the rear drive shaft.seen it a million times

I'll try that tomorrow, I need to grease up the slip yoke anyway. Any tricks or tips on checking the joints? What should I look for to indicate that they're bad?

Look for joints that are hard to rotate, binding. Also feel for roughness while rotating.

I'llbe checking mine in a few weeks. I'm noticing a click when I first start moving. On my older truck it would make squeak. Only for quick second and only when I came to a complete stop. Never any other time. It was the front u joint.

burnthefurniture · May 2, 2009

For about a year now I have had a noise coming from somewhere in my drivetrain that I have not been able to locate for anything. It is starting to get worse and would really like to know what it is so I can fix it before something breaks(if thats possible). Whenever I get on or off of the gas in either drive or reverse from a stop, there is a clicking/ticking noise, usually i'll get two or three in rapid succession...to me based on the time that I press the gas versus the noise it sounds like something is rotating or twisting (metal on metal) to cause that. I also get rapid ticking/clicking (like a ball bearing is bouncing on a steel table) coasting at under 10 mph that is steady and sometimes a couple when it shifts from 1-2. I have checked the u-joints, they seem fine. I am really at the end of my rope and any help is appreciated! Flywheel, Torque convertor, transmission? Its a 2006 crewcab 1500 with a 5.3 2wd. Thanks!

Checked your rear diff oil lately?

Checked and changed it when I got my new gears about 4 months ago. Its at its correct level and fluid is in good shape. Made this noise prior to any work on the rear axle too.

i know you said you checked the u-joints.but you need to pull the rear drive shaft,i bet you have a dried up u-joint front or rear in the rear drive shaft.seen it a million times

I'll try that tomorrow, I need to grease up the slip yoke anyway. Any tricks or tips on checking the joints? What should I look for to indicate that they're bad?

Look for joints that are hard to rotate, binding. Also feel for roughness while rotating.

I'llbe checking mine in a few weeks. I'm noticing a click when I first start moving. On my older truck it would make squeak. Only for quick second and only when I came to a complete stop. Never any other time. It was the front u joint.

So I ought to take the driveshaft out to check for those joints? Where can I buy replacements if one is out and how costly are they?

burnthefurniture · May 2, 2009

Alright, well I figured out what it was today. I should have known, I'm kicking myself now because it was exactly as the noise sounded. I have the hollow aluminum driveshaft, and there was something (piece of flux possibly) metal that was rolling around inside of it. When I went a certain speed it could still fall around, but once I got over 5-10 mph the centripital force was enough to hold the piece of junk to the outside of the shaft so it wouldn't roll around. That raises the next question, I guess the driveshaft is a sealed unit, but what would it hurt anything to drill a small hole in the rear (downslope side) of the shaft in the direct center so I can get that piece out? it drives me crazy, I just want to make sure I would not structurally damage anything. Thanks!

natesimpson74 · May 17, 2009

I would strongly reccommend NOT to do that. I would just bring it to a shop that specializes in drive shafts, they can fix it up for you.

hockeypro1411 · May 17, 2009

Sounds like an issue with your factory radio. I have the same issue. Usually turning up the volume gets rid of squeaks and rattles. Dam stock head units....

ocean4200 · May 17, 2009

look at the disk brake... maybe it is deformed (not perfectly round and unbalanced)

Zembonez · May 17, 2009

U joint replacement time.

jdc2 · May 17, 2009

i did my u joints about 6000 miles ago. one bearing had never seen grease, when the cap came off rusty dust was the only thing that came out, nothing looked at all like a needle bearing. gotta love those u joints that dont come w/ a grease fitting...

burnthefurniture · May 29, 2009

I greased the spline this past weekend, and when I did I checked the joints. The front seemed to move alright, and the rear moved, but I could feel a little bit of resistance at times. I do not know how obvious is it that a u-joint could be out? I only have about 40,000 on the truck, is that a little early for them to be going out?