1999 Chevy Silverado vibration in drive shaft

1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
115,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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WINDOG1
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I recently replaced the both U-Joints in the rear drive shaft. Now I have a vibration around 45mph, but nothing at lower speeds. I have tried rotating the drive shaft but I cannot seem to get rid of the vibration. Any ideas how I can re-balance the shaft or what I can do?
Oct 18, 2008 at 7:24 PM
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JNOVACK
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make sure U-Joints are seated all the way and if they are then you can find a drivshaft shop to reballance the driveshaft and if problem persists then rotate tires and see if it changes to front I have had some that after changing U-Joints still had shake and turned out to be tire ballance
Oct 18, 2008 at 8:37 PM
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AUTOFIXER2
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i'm interested to find out what method you used to replace the u-joints? the method used to balance a drive shaft isn't much different than wheel balancing. the old timers would use hose clamps to balance the shaft instead of getting another one. i can tell you the method if it comes to that. depends on your budget i guess.
Oct 18, 2008 at 8:48 PM
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WINDOG1
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Not sure what the name of the method is, I simply removed the entire drive shaft from the truck by removing the 4 bolts on the rear axel, then loosing the old U-joint, then I slid the front part of the axel out of the transmission. I then had the drive shaft with both front and rear U-Joints + the short 12" yoke piece that went into the transmission on the bench. From their I removed the clips on the old joints and pounded out the old caps. I basically then followed the reverse process to put the new ones in.ps, I did try to mark the drive shaft and transmissoins with chalk as recomended however it wore off durring the installation of the new joints.
Oct 19, 2008 at 9:08 AM
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AUTOFIXER2
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the reason i asked how you removed the u-joints was to find out if you used a hammer. you said you "pounded" it and if you did you most likely bent the drive shaft. it doesn't take much. i used a hammer years ago on a dodge dakota drive shaft and it displayed the same symptoms as yours. drive line vibration only at certain speeds. that was before i was schooled and i can tell you i never did that again. do you have a vise? you'll probably be doing the job again.
Oct 19, 2008 at 9:40 AM
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LEODOYLE
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i have a 1999 chev ,just changed steady bearing and rear and middle u joint,now i have a vibration,does any body know what might be wrong ,thanks
Nov 20, 2012 at 12:09 AM