OK all, read through the threads, and found some good info, but nothing pointing directly to my problem. I have a 97 1500 4X4, started hearing a noise the other day pulling my boat, like a high pitch squeek/grinding, that went away when I took my foot off the gas. Truck drove fine though...

Yesterday, going to the store, hear it again, then notice a popping noise when in reverse, also when going really slow I heard popping noise in drive, as well as a vibration in between 20-40 mph...

I am thinking Transfer case bearing, since there is a little play where the rod comes out of the transfer case (the one that hooks to the U-Joint). Or possibly a u-joint, though both on the drive shaft seem pretty tight... The sound is coming from under the truck, right behind the cab.

Thanks for the help y'all... greatly appreciated.

 

you can spin the front driveshaft freely right?

 

Yes the front can spin easily by hand... Just verified in the rain... lol

 

have you checked the fluid?

 

Fluid is food as well...

 

what size wrench did you use for the drain plug? im trying to get the right size lol....


theres no visable leaks where it could be leaking fluid?

 

Ha.. Just seen I typed in Fluid is food.... wonder what was on my mind.. LOL Yea I used a allen wrench with a spork on the end... LOL

Any how, the fluid looks good, since the tranny was just rebuilt about 3000 miles ago....

 

Although slightly dangerous.. chock your front wheels and put the rear on jack stands. See if you can have a buddy watch from the side of the truck while you try to replicate the sound to help pinpoint it. Until you get a general idea... we can only guess. I just did this to my truck this weekend because I am experiencing a vibration too. For me it looks like my driveshaft is out of balance or I bent it some how. In the beginning when the driveshaft starts to rotate it looks like it might be bent. then I started to rotate the shaft but couldn't get it to bounce, I eventually got it too later in the video. For the focus of the video, watch right where the drive shaft narrows towards the axle end.

http://s422.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=100_1277.flv

This may not be your problem.. but I still suggest doing what I did to see where the sound is comming from. U-joints are very possible, and on the cheaper side. But figured I'd post the vid if you can't locate your vibration problem.

 

I will give it a try... but I am starting to lean more toward a bearing in the TC.... Will let ya know

 

probably u-joint. could be front axle or rear drive shaft. check them with truck level, wheels blocked, in neutral, no tension on drive shaft. try to twist the joints - should be zero movement. also inspect the grease seals, should be intact and tight.

broken snap ring in output shaft of t-case can cause grinding, but usually not squeaking. squeaking is u-joint.