1999 Chevy Silverado vibration in drive shaft

Tiny
WINDOG1
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
I recently replaced the both U-Joints in the rear drive shaft. Now I have a vibration around 45mph, but nothing at lower speeds. I have tried rotating the drive shaft but I cannot seem to get rid of the vibration. Any ideas how I can re-balance the shaft or what I can do?
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Saturday, October 18th, 2008 AT 7:24 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
Make sure U-Joints are seated all the way and if they are then you can find a drivshaft shop to reballance the driveshaft and if problem persists then rotate tires and see if it changes to front I have had some that after changing U-Joints still had shake and turned out to be tire ballance
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Saturday, October 18th, 2008 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
AUTOFIXER2
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  • 29 POSTS
I'm interested to find out what method you used to replace the u-joints? The method used to balance a drive shaft isn't much different than wheel balancing. The old timers would use hose clamps to balance the shaft instead of getting another one. I can tell you the method if it comes to that. Depends on your budget I guess.
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Saturday, October 18th, 2008 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
WINDOG1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Not sure what the name of the method is, I simply removed the entire drive shaft from the truck by removing the 4 bolts on the rear axel, then loosing the old U-joint, then I slid the front part of the axel out of the transmission. I then had the drive shaft with both front and rear U-Joints + the short 12" yoke piece that went into the transmission on the bench. From their I removed the clips on the old joints and pounded out the old caps. I basically then followed the reverse process to put the new ones in. Ps, I did try to mark the drive shaft and transmissoins with chalk as recomended however it wore off durring the installation of the new joints.
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Sunday, October 19th, 2008 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
AUTOFIXER2
  • MEMBER
  • 29 POSTS
The reason I asked how you removed the u-joints was to find out if you used a hammer. You said you "pounded" it and if you did you most likely bent the drive shaft. It doesn't take much. I used a hammer years ago on a dodge dakota drive shaft and it displayed the same symptoms as yours. Drive line vibration only at certain speeds. That was before I was schooled and I can tell you I never did that again. Do you have a vise? You'll probably be doing the job again.
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Sunday, October 19th, 2008 AT 9:40 AM
Tiny
LEODOYLE
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  • 1 POST
I have a 1999 chev, just changed steady bearing and rear and middle u joint, now I have a vibration, does any body know what might be wrong, thanks
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2012 AT 12:09 AM

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