Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
2000 Chevy Tahoe V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 115000 miles
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My Tahoe recently began making a repetative light clunking sound from under the truck. It is definatly drive train related and I can only hear it at low speed. I am suspecting my U-Joints as they are OG to the vehicle (still have the plastic gook). I cant tell how to tell if they are bad while on the truck. I did notice that the shaft that transfers power back to the the front transfer case in 4X4 has play (I can move it by hand 1/4in each way) is this normal? How do I troubleshoot my problem.
Oh and one more thing If I do replace my U joints do the stock yokes on this truck accept the spring clips on the bearing ends once the plastic is melted out? Thanks

Depends on which direction the play is in the front shaft,they will have some up and down where the slip joint is , cant be perfectly tight there, it has to move.Best bet would be to unbolt the driveshaft and move the u-joint by hand to see if you can feel any bad spots.Yes, once the glue is melted out, the spring clips will hold it in

Thanks, In your opinion based on my description and the age of the vehicle would the U joints be the first place you would suspect? Are there other common sources of driveline noise on these particular vehicles?

The only thing that comes to mind is the steering intermediate shaft. Sounds like a loose shock when it starts to make noise. Since it is a clunk noise, Brakes are probably not the problem. Start basic and check u-joints and give a good visual inspection

steering intermediate shaft? I am not familiar with this bit of equipment... How would I find it and inspect it? THanks

Ok I think I know what the shaft is that you are refering to... it connects the bottom of my column to my front end?? If correct I am unsure how this could cause the noise. The noise is a repetative clunking at an even interval that varies with the speed of the vehicle while rolling straight down the road and stops while stopped, as though I had a metal baseball card in my hypothetical spoke