InternetMechanic
Newbie
Hey, brand new to the forum and thus this is my first thread/post. So go easy on me
I have a 1999 Suburban K1500 5.7L V8 at ~168k miles. I'm currently chasing a vibration/rumble and I'm falling down the rabbit hole.
I noticed a couple weeks ago (drive in to work was normal/good) that on my way home from work there was a pretty bad vibe/rumble from what seems to be the rear end.
Brought it in to a local dealership/shop in the next day or two. They checked it out (I also had noticed and told them to check out a fuel leak by the tank) and told me the rear drive shaft rear u-joint was seized up.
Had them swap out both U-joints on the rear drive shaft and they also replaced the fuel tank, pump, sender, and "repaired" the fuel lines.
The vibe/rumble was "improved" slightly but is still there. I researched a bit and I also noticed one of the rear wheels was missing a balance weight.
Brought it to the shop I bought the tires from and have had other work done. Had them balance all 4 wheels (not road force, can't find anywhere near me that does road force/on vehicle balance) and also did a rotate. Vibe/rumble persisted.
I had problems before when I did all the brakes where I had out of balance/round rear brake drums. So I swapped both drums to known balanced/round drums and still had the vibe/rumble (swapped back to new/current drums after).
Brought it back to dealership to have them check out their work (check u-joints and diagnose the vibe/rumble).
They reported, "Passenger rear axle bearing making noise and vibe. Possible damage to axle shaft and/or housing." also said the u-joints/drive shaft was good (from their work). But they do not do drive shaft balancing or straightening.
More info/specifics on the vibe/rumble:
Starts to be noticeable at about 45 mph and increases in intensity with vehicle speed. High frequency vibe/rumble,shake. More noticeable on incline/decline, also when decel or coasting from higher speed (I think mainly because less/no exhaust or engine noise). Drive/ride height is OEM (besides age of parts). Replaced/updated within last couple years: all 4 shocks, sway bar bushings and links in front, both leaf springs in rear (with all new shackles, bolts etc), new brake pads and rotors in front and new shoes and drums in rear. Driver side front CV joint/boot replaced.
Almost positive it's from the rear end, vibe is noticeable mainly through the floor/seat but seems to vibe the whole cabin. Can feel it in the steering wheel but seems to be more so from the "whole cabin" vibe and not something from the front end (I've felt front end steering wheel shake before from bad/warped rotors and bad tires).
Does not seem to be RPM/engine affected, doesn't change when putting it in neutral. Drive shaft doesn't have any visible dents/cuts and looks to have all balance weights.
Drive shaft is 1 piece. I tested myself under the vehicle (vehicle was in park) and the drive shaft has little to no play when moving it (just up/down to transmission from the transmission mount).
Transmission and engine mounts seem fine from brief inspection.
It's tough for me to do much work or check things at home because driveway is fairly steep slope and only flat location is in double wide garage where both parents vehicles are parked. It's possible for me to check things out myself but it's a lot of work with taking up the garage and not having many tools as well as working a full time job on weekdays. Just wanted to bring this up for anyone to mention things I can check on my own. Also wouldn't have a way to "safely" run the vehicle with it in the air, not even very good to have it in neutral.
Some questions:
If the dealership is correct about pass rear axle bearing/shaft, wouldn't the vibe or noise be noticeable or get worse over time and not on the 2nd trip within a day?
If I do replace the axle bearing should I replace the axle shaft as well? Also should I do both sides at once? (Can get an axle kit that includes the axle, bearing, seal, studs, and lugs)
What are some other ideas/suggestions to check or what this could be?
Please let me know or ask for any details I missed or didn't already mention. I appreciate any help on this and thanks in advance.
I have a 1999 Suburban K1500 5.7L V8 at ~168k miles. I'm currently chasing a vibration/rumble and I'm falling down the rabbit hole.
I noticed a couple weeks ago (drive in to work was normal/good) that on my way home from work there was a pretty bad vibe/rumble from what seems to be the rear end.
Brought it in to a local dealership/shop in the next day or two. They checked it out (I also had noticed and told them to check out a fuel leak by the tank) and told me the rear drive shaft rear u-joint was seized up.
Had them swap out both U-joints on the rear drive shaft and they also replaced the fuel tank, pump, sender, and "repaired" the fuel lines.
The vibe/rumble was "improved" slightly but is still there. I researched a bit and I also noticed one of the rear wheels was missing a balance weight.
Brought it to the shop I bought the tires from and have had other work done. Had them balance all 4 wheels (not road force, can't find anywhere near me that does road force/on vehicle balance) and also did a rotate. Vibe/rumble persisted.
I had problems before when I did all the brakes where I had out of balance/round rear brake drums. So I swapped both drums to known balanced/round drums and still had the vibe/rumble (swapped back to new/current drums after).
Brought it back to dealership to have them check out their work (check u-joints and diagnose the vibe/rumble).
They reported, "Passenger rear axle bearing making noise and vibe. Possible damage to axle shaft and/or housing." also said the u-joints/drive shaft was good (from their work). But they do not do drive shaft balancing or straightening.
More info/specifics on the vibe/rumble:
Starts to be noticeable at about 45 mph and increases in intensity with vehicle speed. High frequency vibe/rumble,shake. More noticeable on incline/decline, also when decel or coasting from higher speed (I think mainly because less/no exhaust or engine noise). Drive/ride height is OEM (besides age of parts). Replaced/updated within last couple years: all 4 shocks, sway bar bushings and links in front, both leaf springs in rear (with all new shackles, bolts etc), new brake pads and rotors in front and new shoes and drums in rear. Driver side front CV joint/boot replaced.
Almost positive it's from the rear end, vibe is noticeable mainly through the floor/seat but seems to vibe the whole cabin. Can feel it in the steering wheel but seems to be more so from the "whole cabin" vibe and not something from the front end (I've felt front end steering wheel shake before from bad/warped rotors and bad tires).
Does not seem to be RPM/engine affected, doesn't change when putting it in neutral. Drive shaft doesn't have any visible dents/cuts and looks to have all balance weights.
Drive shaft is 1 piece. I tested myself under the vehicle (vehicle was in park) and the drive shaft has little to no play when moving it (just up/down to transmission from the transmission mount).
Transmission and engine mounts seem fine from brief inspection.
It's tough for me to do much work or check things at home because driveway is fairly steep slope and only flat location is in double wide garage where both parents vehicles are parked. It's possible for me to check things out myself but it's a lot of work with taking up the garage and not having many tools as well as working a full time job on weekdays. Just wanted to bring this up for anyone to mention things I can check on my own. Also wouldn't have a way to "safely" run the vehicle with it in the air, not even very good to have it in neutral.
Some questions:
If the dealership is correct about pass rear axle bearing/shaft, wouldn't the vibe or noise be noticeable or get worse over time and not on the 2nd trip within a day?
If I do replace the axle bearing should I replace the axle shaft as well? Also should I do both sides at once? (Can get an axle kit that includes the axle, bearing, seal, studs, and lugs)
What are some other ideas/suggestions to check or what this could be?
Please let me know or ask for any details I missed or didn't already mention. I appreciate any help on this and thanks in advance.