Replacing rear driveshaft?

Tiny
JESKNORR
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Hi, I am replacing my rear driveshaft on my truck listed above (1500) with a used driveshaft off of the same year and model. My question is pertaining to marking the driveshaft prior to removal for easier install matching the lines up so that it is in balance. Now, I marked the driveshaft prior to removal, but how does that work with a new driveshaft? How do I know that it is aligned properly and also what kind of grease do I use when reinstalling?
Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 4:08 PM

47 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening,

You should make the same mark on the donor driveshaft in the same spot and then line that up to the splines at the slip joint.

You can use some wheel bearing grease. A light coat on the splines and then use a hand grease gun on the fittings.

Roy
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Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
JESKNORR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, so line both drive shafts up and mark the new one in the same spot as the old? Also, I don't have a grease gun, I'm going to have to buy whatever grease I need from the auto part store.
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Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
JESKNORR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
And I've read some people say to use dexron 6 ATF not grease.
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Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Use grease. ATF is no good for this. You need high temperature grease.

Roy
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Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
JESKNORR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay and I can get this at the auto part store? Thank you for your help.
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Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, it is all available at a parts store.

Roy
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Saturday, April 13th, 2019 AT 2:46 AM
Tiny
MOONSHIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
2005 Chevy Silverado V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 58 km miles

my truck makes a noise only when I pull away from a stop and it shifts into 2nd and 3rd. If I put a load on the drivetrain with quick acceleration, there isn't a noise. I also hear the noise if I cycle the transmission from reverse to drive and back. I changed the
u-joints and the noise is still there. With some help, crawled underneath and had the transmission cycled from revverse to forward and the noise seems to be coming from inside the driveshaft. I know this sounds funny but it's true. It is the heavy duty aluminum shaft. One other person suggested that it sometimes a noise in the transfer case can travel the drive shaft. Can you help with any ideas.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Could very well be, the aluminum d-shafts act like speakers when it comes to noises. Might want to havea shop look at it to see if they have any ideas. Depending on how much you use 4wd, it could be the transfer case chain guides are worn and letting the chain bang around, but you wont be able to tell without disassembling the transfer case to see
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEFEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
Hello I have a 2005 Chevy 2500hd 6.0l tomorrow I am changing my transmission and transfor case oil I've been hearing a kind of whining high pitched grinding noise from the back end I checked the U joints they seem ok no play when trucks in neutral, could my transfor case just be to low on oil, the noise is not constant it is every once and a while it just started today
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It cold be low on oil bu tif it is it's leaked out someplace. I t may be a bearing going bad or maybe the center support driveshaft bearing if you have one. Use AUTO TRAKll or equivalent fluid 2 qts.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELS16
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
I recently noticed a squeak in my rear end when accelerating up to about 30-40mph. I have located it to the drive shaft. I researched that u joints make a similar sound when they go out. But the sound seems to come from the center of the drive shaft. It also appears the rear differential case is covered in dirt and oil residue. I'm not sure if leaks or not. I am curious as if maybe this is a worn out U- Joint or what. HELP!
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Check to make sure the gear lube is full in the differential. There is a check plug on the passenger side of the differential about mid way up.

As far as the noise, most likely it is a u-joint. Have you checked for excessive play in the joint? And as for the noise, chances are it is resonating up the drive shaft.

Here are directions for replacement.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-universal-u-joint
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FEARSKITZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 120 MILES
When replacing the rear drive shaft with a used but factory driveshaft does it require balancing or any other servicing other than reeplacing the U-Joints
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Not if it hasn't been damaged.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Rear drive shaft broke and I cannot find a replacement? Truck is a 2500HD four wheel drive regular cab long bed. Ordered one from NAPA and it was four inches too long 61" the next shorter one would be a foot too short. Dealer can order one for double the price of a parts store but they could not tell me what length it would be. So if anyone has an idea where I find out exactly what length I need and where I could buy one I would be very thankful.
.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I see 61 68 and 1/4 and 47 and 1/4.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes, those are the three sizes I have found but I need one around 57 inches.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So you tried installing the 61" one? The old one measures out at 57"?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
That is really strange that you have a size they do not list. The dealer cannot find you one using the VIN number? If you could get a part number that would really help. The dealers catalog has to show length since there are multiple sizes otherwise they would not know if they ordered the correct one.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)

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