Bad U joint or something worse?

Tiny
DABOSSSGTO7
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 GMC SIERRA
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
Recently as I was heading to work I noticed what sounded like rocks being thrown up under the truck, as if I had ran through a small pile of dirt on the highway. As I continued my drive to work I started to notice ( only cause I had my window down as I have an 8 inch lift and 35's on it that roar like a lion ) that I heard some heavy ticking noises. It started out towards the front end of the truck, and gradually worked its way back, I thought, ok I piked up some road debris and its hung up wrapped around the drive shaft. As I left work for the day I drove home as I normally would and I started to notice it again, but it was louder. Sitting stationary it made no obscure noises at all, everything sounded fine as it would any other day. As I started to accelerate, I noticed a slight clicking noise, as I began to increase my speed, it became rather loud, but at times would back off to almost a whisper. This morning the same thing, went to work, it clicked like a kid had a baseball card stuck in his spokes, and on the way home after a good rain, it barely made any noise at all, until I got back into my city and started the traffic light shuffle. I did take notice to one thing, as I pulled out from the gas station and threw it into drive, I heard a clunk that sounded like it came from the rear end of the truck.

Could this be a u joint issue, or something deeper, like a rear end or transmission issue?

Thanks in advance for your response.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 1:05 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
JOHNNYT73
  • MECHANIC
  • 924 POSTS
I would have a shop check it out for bad u-joints, differential, hub bearings, etc.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
DABOSSSGTO7
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This is the sound I am getting from under my truck, it stops as I let off the accelerator and coast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8qNkTHJ-gE
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
DABOSSSGTO7
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  • 3 POSTS
The clicking in the very beginning of the video. Thats not my truck but those are the sounds I am experiencing
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
KEVINTRINAKINN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 GMC SIERRA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
When I put my pickup in reverse or drive the rear differential will clunk like a bad ujoint but its not the ujoint its in the rear diff. How do I find out whats causing this noise? It seems to be getting louder so had to quit driving it.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Most likely worn pinion gear and bearing also possible ring gear worn. Jack up both rear wheels off ground in neutral rotate driveshaft in one direction till wheel moves then reverse till wheel turns note amount of play if more than 1/2 inch thenworn diff. parts.
Hope this helps
Thanks for donate


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Graphic_519.jpg

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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
5123321055
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
  • 1999 GMC SIERRA
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Replaced all three u joints and center bearing. I reinstalled the same design (batwing) style center bearing that was on the truck. I made note of the direction of the bracket before removing and installed the new one the same. I have since looked at several videos and noticed the flat part of the bracket facing the rear whereas mine has the flat part facing the front. Everything appears lined up, I just need to know if this is an issue or if it really doesn't mater as far as direction.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
5123321055
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Update: was able to pull up previous pictures of my truck and it is in fact backwards from how I took it out. It will destroy the bearing pressing it out to flip around so my question is, will it be okay or do I need a new bearing?
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hell, I'm Danny.

Question first. Did you buy the assembly as a complete unit, Or did you press the new bearing into the new housing? As long as the bearing is not rubbing/interfering with any part of the front or rear slip yokes all will be good. Let me know and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
5123321055
  • MEMBER
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Complete unit. There is no interference with either side and bearing freely spins.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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Hello again.

You're good to go! Be sure to grease the splines for the slip yoke. (Driveshaft) Here is a picture of my 1997. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros. Keep on truckin'

Danny-
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOB502
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
  • 1999 GMC SIERRA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
My rear u-joint snapped while in use, the park brake was on and the gear was in neutral and while the motor was revving, it was thrown into drive and then the ujoint snapped. The shaft is fine, what should I check before reconnecting the ujoint.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Just check the driveshaft for cracking around the ujoint and use new bolts and straps to hold the ujointin place. Check the pinion for any breakage where it bolts up.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Remove the drive shaft and replace both. This is something a expert has to do. Call local machine shops in your area to get a price.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKPARKS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 GMC SIERRA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,600 MILES
I have a gmc 97 z71 and there is grinding noise coming from the back. Sounds like a grinding brake pad in a way. Gets louder into the gas more and quiets down when you let off. Doesnt' do it in neutral. It not really loud but enough you can hear it. 100 positive sure it comes from the rear end. Lifted it on jacks and spun the tires. Coming from the end of the u joint into the the rear end.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
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That indicated a bad pinion bearing. On this rear end it is usually necessary to replace the ring and pinion gears as well as the bearings becasue when the pinion bearing goes bad it will spin on the pinion gear itself causing it to wear thus just replacing the bearing will not work because it will fit loose on the pinion gear and it needs to be pressed on tight.
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+1
Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LISA122768
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • GMC SIERRA
I have a 1994 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup (1/2 ton, 6 cyl, ext. Cab, 2 wheel drive). We are replacing the u-joints and have gotten as far as removing the drive shaft. We noticed the plastic plugs on the yokes. We have tried to remove these, but have so far been unsuccessful. Could you please offer a procedure or information in removing these. I was told that these must be removed in order to remove the u-joint for replacement. I once did this on a Suburban that had the same stupid plastic things. I did not know how to remove them, and someone told me to take the drive shaft to a place that could heat these plastic plugs to the point of melting. I have tried using a torch on the GMC, but they do not seem to want to melt. Is it necessary to remove these plugs to replace the u-joints? Please help!
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
All you have to do is use heat, Do you have a propane torch? As you heat you will see the plastic squirt out the sides! Then press as usual, The new joints come with lock rings!
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+3
Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM8365
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1984 GMC SIERRA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I have changed my rear axle from 10 bolt to 12 bolt and my drive shaft will not hook up because the ujoint is to big for yoke on the 12 bolt rear axle I purchased can I get a ujoint with the two different sizes on it to sovle the problem or do I need to change the yoke on the differential please advise thanks tim
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
I know there are u joints with 2 different sizes on them. Most likely you will need to trial and error. Try mixing u joint for the right rear end and the one you have in truck. Hopefully someone else can shed some light on this post.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)

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