Variable grind/spin noise under feet.

Tiny
JAHSAH
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 264,000 MILES
Ok, here we go. I have had the front and rear diff, checked, 2 new transfer cases, new gears in back, new pass cv.

the problem started while driving with a heavy load and towing. It sounded like the sound double at one with a big EERR. I pulled over, stopped, started again and it was gone and did not return till 500 miles later and then became more and consistent.

I found that if I engaged the 4wd auto button, the sound would vanish immediately, though it would eventually come back.

We had a mechanic tell us our transfer case was bad and took off the front drive shaft and no problem happen for the rest of our 3k mile journey.

I took it in and was informed the Tran Case was bad and had it replaced.

Before I got it home, I noticed a vibration in the truck and took it back. I got sent to a dealership and got put through the ringer with 2 months nothing getting resolved and lots of money. Sent back to the first guy to replace the t case again and here I am still having the problem.

The grind has a few stages now and comes randomly or sometimes when I hit a bump. It can be subtle up to very loud, to the point it feels like there is resistance in my forward motion.

I also sometimes hear a high pinging when I am slowing, like metal bouncing on spinning metal?

All this vanishes instantly when engaged into 4 auto or the front drive shaft is removed.

The dealer said they put ears under and the sound was in the transfer case?

I am really ready for some real answers, thanks.

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 12:44 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If it doesn't do it in 4wd auto or when front driveshaft is removed then i'd suspect it has to be in tcase which I know you don't want to hear or maybe the driveshaft. Have the runout of the driveshaft checked as well as the pinion in the tcase. There are 5 different tcases so I hope you know which you have. Any driveshaft shop near you should be able to do this. Also change the fluid in front axle if it already hasn't been done the pic i'm sending shows runouts for various driveshafts so a driveshaft shop will know as this can cause a vibrataion as well.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Forgot one thing has rear drive shaft ujoint been checked as well as center support bearing if it has one as some trucks don't.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 1:25 PM
Tiny
JAHSAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks, but I just had 2 transfer cases put in. Drive shaft is good too. It had the front diff, dismantled and new fluids. And rear u joints replace.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
JAHSAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
There had just been a transfer case put in just before I bought it too. So that is 3 in a few k miles.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try to do the checks I've suggested as runout can cause all kinds of vibration noises. Etc.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
JAHSAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It does make the sound in 4wd auto. It is just that when it happens most is in 2wd and when I engage 4wd auto, the sound disappears like the pressure is released or some how it make the out of balance thing line up again.

What is the kind of transfer case I need and how would I check it?

The drive shaft is from a 2002. The dealer said that tested it and it was fine.

It was lifted before I bought it, 4 inches I believe. Angles on pinion were said to look good. What part of the axle needs fluid. I believe it could be the drive side CV axle? Or the front diff, actuator, but the dealer said the spring in the actuator was good and it made the noise when it was unplugged.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There should be a tag on the case on drivers side. Just check the normal diff level but it was changed so don't bother with that. If that truck is lifted that may be the problem the angle may be to great for that if you go to powerblock tv. Com they have some good dvd's on these trucks that are lifted cause a lot of guys just llift the damn thing and the front suspension gets all screwed up they show what parts to get to make it right. That could be your problem as well. They have dvd's from previous shows that you can get pretty cheap. It still could be the pinion on tcase or the shaft is on to steep an angle it's easy to check but you need to know what is to much. What it does is put a lot of pressure on bearings in tcase so they wear quick. You shold try synthetic if you can I forget if tcase is separate from trans for fluid.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
JAHSAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Not the drive shaft changed that. I think it may be the driver side cv axle, cause when I get the noise and slow down, I get a rapid ping that sound like metal bouncing on spinning metal. The angle from the transfer case looks like it could be a bit steep, but it was working fine for a time after I bought it till I hit a bump and it all starter there.
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 7:49 PM

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