After my initial lift several years ago, I picked up a slight low Grrr gear type noise when on the freeway at "coast" - neither accelerating or decelerating. I could make it come and go by feathering the gas pedal.
I had all my u-joints changed (they needed it anyway being original) and the noise didnt change. Knowing that mechanically everything checked ok, I lived with it.
Now, after the recent change of increased caster by swapping out my yellow caster bushings in favor of the Slee caster plates, the noise got even more pronounced. Driving to and from work on the freeway, I got to hear it everyday and being an obvious issue in the driveline, it vibrated throughout the chassis
. At this point it was very annoying!
Wasnt sure if it was Tcase output bearings, the viscous coupler, front driveshaft, or? I never really spent the time hunting it down either...So putting it off no longer, I decided this would be a good time to finally install the CDL switch so I can start with the easiest and most likely culprit - the front driveshaft. The angle is still too much with the lift and the increased caster makes it even worse.
I removed the front shaft, locked the center diff and went for a drive. No noise. Glad this one was easy!
Option one was to fabricate some 1" or so spacers and lower the Tcase which would be a good low cost solution. I opted for the other option which was to get a Double Cardan (DC) shaft. Super strong but pricey looking at the online suppliers. I called our trusty driveline shop who made me one for considerably less
I think that the front driveshaft vibrations are nothing more than an annoyance. IMO Possible long term wear on adjacent components maybe but certainly no breakdown issue.
I had all my u-joints changed (they needed it anyway being original) and the noise didnt change. Knowing that mechanically everything checked ok, I lived with it.
Now, after the recent change of increased caster by swapping out my yellow caster bushings in favor of the Slee caster plates, the noise got even more pronounced. Driving to and from work on the freeway, I got to hear it everyday and being an obvious issue in the driveline, it vibrated throughout the chassis
. At this point it was very annoying!Wasnt sure if it was Tcase output bearings, the viscous coupler, front driveshaft, or? I never really spent the time hunting it down either...So putting it off no longer, I decided this would be a good time to finally install the CDL switch so I can start with the easiest and most likely culprit - the front driveshaft. The angle is still too much with the lift and the increased caster makes it even worse.
I removed the front shaft, locked the center diff and went for a drive. No noise. Glad this one was easy!
Option one was to fabricate some 1" or so spacers and lower the Tcase which would be a good low cost solution. I opted for the other option which was to get a Double Cardan (DC) shaft. Super strong but pricey looking at the online suppliers. I called our trusty driveline shop who made me one for considerably less
I think that the front driveshaft vibrations are nothing more than an annoyance. IMO Possible long term wear on adjacent components maybe but certainly no breakdown issue.
