Hi guys, don't post on here much but I do have a question/problem with my 2005 Silverado 4X4 reg cab 6ft. bed. It has 130xxx miles and I'm going on my 3rd rear u-joint. Any ideas why they are going out at about 40,000 miles? The 1st one was replaced under warrenty at about 40,000 miles. That one only lasted about 35,000 miles and I replaced it. Now I have 130,000 and starting to feel the vibration/howl again. I guess I have about 55,000 on this one. The front one is fine, no problems with it. 5.3/auto. Any ideas? Do I need to get the drive shaft balanced?

 

What are your driveshaft angles at the front and rear u joint?

 

I never have measured the angles, it's stock height w/stock wheels and tires.

 

keep your foot out of it lol. Probably a bad drive shaft or defected joints it happins. i would think 40,000 miles out of a u-joint is pretty good if u make any kind of power. also might need to check rear end. Maybe a bad pinion bearing.

 

Update, 20,000 miles later and it needs another rear u-joint. I greased the **** out of it and it's still going bad. my pinion angle is +1. That should be ok. If the drive shaft was way out of balance wouldn't I feel that too? After new u-joint instillation no vibration. 145,000 miles and the rear-end seems fine, nothing leaking. I'm stumped...don't want to take it to a shop and just start throwing money at it.

 

Try another brand??

Kinda hard to guess at it, maybe it just likes eating them without showing any problems. I mean they are a ware and tare part but 20k is kinda low on mileage. But at 15-30 bucks it's not that much money.

 

Are you using a solid joint like the factory one?

Do you have a 2 piece drive shaft in the rear? If so check the carrier bearing for excessive play.

Are you tightening the straps properly when replacing the joints? Yes, there is a procedure as you could potential pinch the caps and distort the caps.

Have you had the drive shaft checked by a drive shaft shop? If it's out of balance or misaligned it could cause just enough of a vibration or misalignment that the it wears the joint prematurely.

Jack the rear end up and spin the wheels so you can check the pinion yoke for excessive run out as well.