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Help with hum/droning noise on freeway

nutt7

nutt7

1/2 ton status
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Location
Ahwatukee, AZ -> JBLM, WA
I searched and did not find, but it allowed me to better set up my problem.

The story: While getting my tranny replaced for a warranty issue, the shop didn't tighten my driveshaft and it fell off during a test drive. This forced them to FIX the driveshaft (they took the shaft to another shop that cut off an end and welded a new one on and balanced it out). They also had to replace my transfer case too since it was damaged during this incident as well.

The problem: After getting my vehicle back over two months later I noticed at freeway speeds, I get an annoying drone or hum (very little vibration) from 65-75mph. The noise is present during acceleration, cruising, and deceleration within the interval mentioned. The sound is also consistent, it does not get louder with speed...it just fades in and out at 65mph and 75mph but is a constant level in between.

I also get an inconsistent clunk right under me on the 1-2 shift (it is a little too firm) if that matters. All bolts are tight, although the mount on the transfer case has one nut that won't quite reach it's torque spec without spinning the bolt. U-joints *LOOK* ok and I can't find any play by pulling, twisting, or shaking anything.
My tires are BFG ATs, getting cracked and old, if that matters.

What can it be? What can I try?

I did not have this problem before taking it to the shop. I am not taking my truck back to that shop. Period. It was a terrible experience. Thanks!
 
Since the trans and transfer case were changed, I would lean towards one of those. What transfer case is in it?
 
If you can borrow some different tires, preferably with wheels so its an easy swap, I would try that first.
Its a lot easier to swap wheels for an hour than to pull and rebuild a transfer case. Just remember, if you swap to different size tires, the speed of the gears and bearings in the whole driveline will be different at the usual speeds.

So, the noise may move to a different speed. But it will still be there if its not tires.

If the noise is still there, then what is the condition of your floorboards? The reason I ask, is that if the body pan is modified, or a little "holey" then you could slide a piece of broomhandle or some kind of steel rod down through the body and place the end against the transfer case.
Then, placing your ear to the other end, will let you tell if its coming from it.

I suggest you let someone else do the listening or driving. Both at once might get you a really funny obituary in the paper........
 
No wheels to try...but I do need new tires. I was hoping to go another year...I will have discount check the tires. I'm sure they'll advise me to replace them now. No holes in the floor either! Solid AZ truck!
 
It's a humming/resonance. Starts at 65mph and ends around 75mph. With the windows up it's uncomfortable to my ears, not that's it loud but something. When it's irritating enough I undo the straps on the rear dif and usually that u-joint is shot and the front one is on it's way out.
 
So it's not the tires, I needed new ones badly though. The mirror does not get blurry or fuzzy. I think I will attack the u joints next unless there are other suggestions...
 
Hell, why not take it back to the shop who f**ked it up and have them troubleshoot it? It was their fault in the beginning, so they should own finding/fixing the problem.
 
clandr1 said:
Hell, why not take it back to the shop who f**ked it up and have them troubleshoot it? It was their fault in the beginning, so they should own finding/fixing the problem.
Click to expand...


F that place. I will not let them hold my truck for two months again while they hunt for parts I found in an hour. I think they put warranty repairs last. I will gladly eat the cost. I usually do my own repairs but wasn't in the mood to remove my tranny after installing it couple weeks prior. This is why I am iffy about letting others touch my rig.
 
Just did a closer inspection on the rear u joint. It appears that one of the clips isn't fully seated. The edges of the clip seem at least partially seated. A small tap on the edge of the clip made part of if pop out enough to see a visible gap!

I tapped the weld near the opposite ear with a standard hammer (not too hard) to try to shift the joint enough to seat the clip, but it wouldn't budge.

Could this cause the noise I hear on the freeway? Should I try and whack the end to seat it or pull it and replace it? I am not sure what damage this might have caused. I drove about 2k miles as it is. Advise?
 
Unbolt it and check the joint. You should not have to pull the joint out to check it. But if it is anything but smooth and tight, replace it.
 
I took my wife for a ride a long and she says the noise sounds like it was in front of her. To me it fills the whole cab, but I never sit in the passenger seat. Could a front wheel bearing give this same speed interval sound?
 
No, a front wheel bearing isn't going to give you that resonating vibe that a u-joint will as it's on it's way out. It's almost impossible to accurately "echo-locate" a vibe like that inside the truck. So many surfaces bouncing the sound around...

It sounds like you found a rear U-joint issue...why not just replace it?
 
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