Drive Shaft Problems... a long and bumpy road

[Gusmansays]

Okay as a disclaimer I did search using the search box but wound up with no helpful results. :hihi:

History:
I have a 2001 crew cab regular box (72in) with two piece drive shaft and since I purchased the truck at 130,000 miles I have been replacing hanger bearings left and right. Before I put the lift on the truck I put on 2, after the lift I have put on 3. The rattle starts when I accelerate there is a rumble from the rear usually when I lean on her, then all is good when I get to about 55 mph I get the rattle again hop up to 60-65 mph and its gone. I have the drop down kit that came with the lift and I added two small spacers.

Last week I dropped the truck off at the drive shaft place for you familiar with Long Island (Deer Park Area) I went to Deer Park Drive Shaft, I had the guy retube the rear shaft and add an inch along with a new front U-Joint and a new hanger bearing he calls me and tells me that the rear yoke is stretched but it will be fine to drive for a while, so I pick her up and now I have a new rattle at around 30-35 mph and at 50-55 mph. So I figure that all I need to do is just shim it. (this was done four days ago)

Problem:
Sunday I take her in the snow to go shooting as I do every sunday and when I go to shift into 4wd the light wont come on and the T case just slides into 4wd (a little to smooth compared to how it used to shift in) any way 4wd works fine but by the time I get out of the woods and put her back on the paved road my hanger bearing is bent forward and now produces a very loud rattle and vibration. (these are the problems I dont know any other way to describe them than to just tell you what I was doing haha)

What I need help with:
What can I do to stop the drive shaft from rattling and keep bending the hanger bearings it seriously is killing me to be replacing and working on my drive shaft over and over again :mad2:

Thank you for your help if you need me to further explain please ask.

-Marc

 

[Gusmansays]

You can close the thread I took some time to pull my head out of my ass and take a look haha problem should be solved if not I will post my dilemma.

 

[Pepperidge]

you need the one piece aluminum "telephone pole" driveshaft then keep the splines lubed well...some have even inserted a cut to fit piece of valve spring inside the shaft end to keep the shaft from "sticking" inside the t case...

GM had a TSB on driveline shudder...may be too late to get them to honor that though...they may "goodwill" it if you have a decent dealer in your area...

 

[btfarm]

We'll leave it open for you to "own up" to your path to daylight Marc...


:hihi:

 

[Pepperidge]

here is the TSB

Launch Shudder On Acceleration (Install New One-Piece Propeller Shaft)
1999-2002 Chevrolet and GMC K2500/3500 Extended Cab Long Box and Crew Cab Short Box Pickup Models

With Automatic Transmission

This bulletin is being revised to add model information, remove procedure steps and change parts information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-04-17-001A (Section 04 -- Driveline Axle).

Condition
Some customers may comment on a vibration during acceleration from 0-40 km/h (0-25 mph). This may also be referred to as launch shudder. This condition may be more noticeable when the vehicle is carrying cargo or is used for towing.

Correction
A new propeller shaft is available for service to correct this condition. This new propeller shaft is a one-piece design and will replace the current two-piece design.

Install a new one-piece propeller shaft on affected vehicles. Refer to the service procedure and the parts information listed below. Match the affected vehicle with the appropriate propeller shaft. Refer to the usage information below. This fix does not apply to the Chassis/Crew Cab Models (K35943).

Remove the propeller shaft assembly and the center bearing. Refer to the Propeller Shaft - Two Piece procedure in the Propeller Shaft sub-section of SI2000. For this bulletin, it is not necessary to mark the components for re-assembly.

Important
The center bearing support bracket (1) must be removed in order to provide enough clearance for installation of the one-piece propeller shaft. Avoid damaging the crossmember during removal of the center bracket. For proper clearance, no more than 13 mm (½ in) of the bracket may remain on the crossmember after removal.


Remove the center bearing support bracket from the kick-up crossmember using a cut-off wheel.
After removal of the center bearing support bracket, grind the rough metal edges smooth that remain on the crossmember.
Coat the exposed metal surfaces with frame coating using the information found in the applicable Service Manual and GM Refinish Material Booklet #4901M-D-2002 (English) or #4901M-D-F2002 (French).
Install the new propeller shaft. Refer to the Propeller Shaft Replacement - One Piece in the Propeller Shaft sub-section of SI2000 for installation guidelines and yoke retainer tightening specifications.

Parts Information
P/N
Description
Usage

15077431
Shaft Asm.- Prop
K25953 w/ LQ4, MT1, C6P

(99-00 8600# GVW)

15077434
Shaft Asm.- Prop
K25953/35953 w/ M74 (Allison Trans)

15077435
Shaft Asm.- Prop
K25953 w/ LQ4, MT1

(HD Model 9200# GVW)

15077436
Shaft Asm.- Prop
K35953 w/ LQ4, MT1

(11,400# GVW)

15093466
Shaft Asm.- Prop
K25743 w/LQ4, MT1

(HD Model 9200# GVW)

15093467
Shaft Asm.- Prop
K25743 w/M74 (Allison Trans)


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

F1280
To remove Two-Piece Propshaft and Center Bearing Mount Bracket and Install One-Piece Propshaft
0.9 hr

 

[Gusmansays]

Okay, thanks for that information it is greatly appreciated I went under the truck today and the guy never put the spacers with the hanger bearing in turn this blew up the bearing and housing.

Now just to clarify Will a one piece drive shaft fit with the 6in lift?

 

[Mad Maxx]

Moved to Suspension & Wheels Section.

 

[Pepperidge]

Okay, thanks for that information it is greatly appreciated I went under the truck today and the guy never put the spacers with the hanger bearing in turn this blew up the bearing and housing.

Now just to clarify Will a one piece drive shaft fit with the 6in lift?

It should...

btw your sig line doesn't say what year you have, IIRC James said it was an early model dmax...thats why I posted that bulletin for you...those shafts with the hangar bearing tend to be problem...

 

[Gusmansays]

I have an 01 truck with 02 drivetrain in it so its right in the target time, I talked to buzz chew chevy for those who know the Island and they never heard of the bulletin but I gave them the part number and the new shaft costs $780. So I think I am just gonna go to LI drive shafts and have them make me one for about 1/2 the price.

 

[Mad Maxx]

Try Eagle in Riverhead.