I get a vibration throughout the whole vehicle while it is accellerating. I'm pretty positive it's a u-joint/driveshaft issue. How hard is a u-joint replacement on this vehicle? Also, have been told that the vibration may cause chain in transfer case to loosen up. Is this a worst case scenario, or a probable issue? I also found out that it's had this vibration since mid-summer, so maybe about 3000 miles worth.

 

Most U-Joints it helps to have a vice, air tools(punch) to knock it out. I think GM is the only ones that load theirs with plastic, which is a major PITA.


I usually do U-Joints on the ground, with a C-clamp, hammer and big flat head screwdriver though, but I like a challenge.



Just make sure all the needles are in place when putting it back together.


I'm not real sure on 4x4s, but enough vibration on the drivetrain, the chain would make sense.

Another case, the U-joint could just pop out and you're down a driveshaft and a pain to drive home on the other one while one is free.

 

Okay - I have another stupid question. Is there any way to see if the joint is bad without dropping the shaft?

 

While in park, try to turn it. It shouldn't move.

 

Does the vibration go away when you are cruising? If that is the case than it may be something else. All of the bad u-joints I've dealt with squeaked under accelleration. A bad u-joint will cause a clunk when you shift from drive to reverse. You can check this by jacking the verhicle up and moving the drive shaft by hand with the wheels off of the ground.

A bent drive shaft will cause vibration or even a bad front ball joint.

The ball joint may not vibrate all of the time and could vibrate at any time while driving but you will feel it for sure through the steering wheel.

Good luck.

Radar