Driveshaft vibration on extended CAB model

Tiny
MARIO HART
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
They have a two piece drive shaft. Eventually it vibrates and causes damage. Either the u joints need replaced or the center bearing thing that holds the drive shaft in place. It seems like every two years I have to get one of these parts repaired. Last problem I had was the drive shaft coming loose from the center housing and the drive shaft fell down with I was driving down the highway. It is also very interesting to note that the vibration always and only happens around 25 MPH and is smooth under and over that speed. I have read countless blogs from other S-10 owners who have the same problem, but I cant seem to find a solution so far. Many S-10 owners mistakenly think it is something stupid like tires that are not balanced or something to do with issues they caused from lowering their trucks. It is a fact that it is an issue with the poor design of the 2-piece drive shaft design. I was told by the transmission shop it is a manufacturer defect with all EXTENDED CAB S-10's TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT. Here's my question: Is there any way I can put a single piece drive shaft in and alleviate these problems? If so I need the specific info.
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 8:34 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The only reason the drives carrying bearing and u joints go out is the shaft needs to be balanced. Here is a guide to help you remove the shaft or a service.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-drive-shaft

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
MARIO HART
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your advice. I went the driveline service you instructed. I called the Illinois shop (as I am in Illinois). You (2carpros. Com) referred me to that you mentioned you" sublet this to a local drivetrain specialist shop. Thank you so very much for your help. I love to finally have a solution for this.
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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
DAUBS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 2001 GMC Sonoma 104Kmi. With ZQ8 sport suspension. 6 mo. Ago I had the double Cardan joins replaced and the rear cardan just failed again after 10K miles. Got ahold about having them replace the cardan joint and ballance the shaft. Local NAPA did it lat time, won't touch it now. After talking with Jim from DynoTech I asked him about the Driveshaft Alignment Kit from Jags

He said that maybe the only way to get the new Cardan joints to last more than 6 to 12mo. He said he just got out of a meeting with the Mfg. That made the drive shaft in my truck and they know that they are prone to failure and GM has discontinued the double cardan joint idea. The alarming thing was he said parts for this shaft are going to be discontinued shortly. Which mens custom made shafts from here on out, big $$.

So I'm hoping that the Driveshaft Alignment Kit from JTR will take care of the cardan joint failure problem. The vibration would only hit bad from 55 60 MPH but still ruined the cardan joint gues this is even worse with lowered trucks like mine.
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
We replaced one a few years back as a customer shaft on a 98 S10. It ended up running about $625.

No problems after 40,000 miles.
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
JK00913
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I have had to get my driveshaft rebuilt 4 times in the last two years and I still have a vibration I do not understand what the problem is. My truck was lowered before I bought it and I am wondering if I have to raise my truck back to factory specs in order to resolve this problem and if I have to do that what would the factory specs be? Plus I am also having a multiple cylinder misfire issue and my spark plugs, wires, distributor, rotar, and cap and ignition module were all recently replaced so I do not know what the issue is. I am also only getting 11 miles to the gallon. If you could please help me out that would be great. Thank you
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok is this a long bed truck? Does it have a carrier or driveshaft support bearing? Have you had the tires checked for balance? Have you rotated the tires to see if the vibration moves with it?
Now on you multi cyl. Missfire, you have an engine light on? Is it giving code P0300? I would like you to check the cap and rotor first as this disign of cap does have a problem also how old is the fuel filter? Do you have a digital multi meter? Get back to me with what you can and we will go from there.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JK00913
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes my truck is a long bed. Yes it has a support bearing with a two piece driveshaft I have had the cv joint in the driveshaft replaced 4 times and it continues to fail on me. I am pretty sure that is the cause to the vibration the tires are brand new and are balanced and aligned. My engine light is on and I have a P0420 and a P0420 with a symbol behind it. And the most recent issue I have is I was driving my truck yesterday and I turned a corner got on the gas and it backfired and spit out a black cloud of smoke and stalled and I have not been able to get it started since then. It seems to me like the timing is off I took of the cap and rotar cleaned them out I replaced the cam shaft sensor and the crank shaft sensor and it still will not start. My timing chain and sprockets all look good. I am getting good spark to the plugs. If you have any ideas on what it could be I would appreciate it
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHADE_
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 147 MILES
Truck run good untle it gets up to 30-40 mph.
Then I get hard vibration. When you get up to
about 40-50 it stops a bit. It dose not go away.
Can you help me.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have a pro check your u-joints on your driveshaft. Or if you look at them and see rust around the seals then they are probably bad.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 12:57 PM (Merged)

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