Slight Vibration

[LuvRving]

Had a long drive today and there seems like a slight vibration like rough tires. I've had all the u-joints done. A few years ago the same noise in another truck was a bearing, I think where the drive shaft connects to the trans but I can't remember the name, I think it was some kind of split bearing that was easy to replace. I will have it checked out after the long weekend. I am just trying to remember the name of the bearing. Thanks!

[dfredendall]

Do you have a stick shift/manual transmission? If so, there is a throw-out bearing related to the clutch disc and pressure plate. There is also a pilot bearing/bushing in the flywheel which centers the input shaft of the manual transmission. If you have an automatic transmission there is bearing in the trans holding the front/input shaft of the trans. Automatic transmissions have no heavy flywheel/clutch, but have a flex plate that holds the torque converter with splines for the input shaft. Flex plates and or the starter ring gear can crack and cause vibrations.

[LuvRving]

Thanks for your reply, Dana! My truck is an automatic. Are your possible suggestions easy fixes in terms of time and costs in your estimation? I will take the truck to the GM dealership on Tuesday, Monday is Canada Day. It feels like I have installed off-road tires, other than that everything is working fine and the truck pulls well. There is only 122,000 Km or 76,000 miles on the truck.

Thanks again!
Joe

[EAW]

I had to replace the driveshaft carrier bearing on mine. The rubber around the bearing was cracking and allowing the driveshaft to vibrate when taking off from a stop sign under load while towing. I have the 8' bed and am not sure if the regular bed uses the bearing or not. It is easy to check and not too difficult to replace.

[dfredendall]

Earnie is on a good idea. Much simpler to replace than my answer. You asked about something ahead of the transmission. Those all require removing the transmission just to inspect. The Carrier bearing is midway on the driveshaft and can be inspected by crawling under the truck. It supports a long style two piece driveshaft and is a common repair. It also can cause noticeable vibrations. I would definitely look at that. If you had U-Joints replaced then the carrier bearing would likely have been inspected/replaced at the same time. I would still look at it now. Since you have 4X4, there is lots of running gear under there. Inspect the motor mounts, transmission mount and transfer case bolts/mounts. Everything is suspect.

[djousma]

I'd seriously be surprised if it were some bearing in the transmission or rearend. Sounds more like a driveshaft u-joint, or a tire that has had something let go internally causing it to be out of balance. Wheel bearings in my opinion don't have a huge vibration when going bad, just the whine that changes pitch with the speed of the vehicle.

Let us know what they find!

[LuvRving]

I discovered that 3 of 4 wheels had small spots of really sticky asphalt on them. It was difficult to get off but everything seems fine now. We went through some fresh paving area earlier and I guess we pick up some debris. Not as serious as I thought. Thanks again.

[nra4life]

Wow!! Glad it was cheap! Just one more item for the rest of us to look for. Roy & JoAnn