I have an 04 SCREW with about 244k miles 4wd
i have had a vibration for awhile at low speeds 20-30 mph and also above 65.
the easy check was tires, and i have tried 3 sets of rims with 4 sets of tires, and no changes.
i have completed the parking brake fix and it was not stuck
i have changed rear diff fluid along with transfer case fluid
ujoints appear in good shape.
2 weekends ago i used this method to begin checking the driveshaft

https://itstillruns.com/balance-driv...-11370120.html

my first attempt at adding a hose clamp and the vibration was gone. i marked he location on the driveshaft and drove around for about a week. The vibrations than returned. i double checked the markings and the hose clamp has not moved. Also i noticed since the vibration returned at low speeds, at high speeds it comes and goes.
should i assume the driveshaft needs rebalanced and get that done, or is there a more obvious problem?
thanks
matt

 

I'd also consider the possibility of a worn or dry ujoint causing this.

 

I just took out the driveshaft again
ujoints feel right but they are staked.
my driveshaft appears to have been changed at some point as the parts sticker is easy to read.
I put the driveshaft back and rotated it one bolt hole and it still had the same vibration.
should I look into replacing driveshaft entirely since it has staked ujoints instead of just replacing them and possibly balancing driveshaft?
thx matt

 

I dunno. If they feel tight it's probably not causing a vibration.
They do make kits for replacing staked I joints, comes with a cutter tool and some shims for the top of the new ujoint caps.

 

take your driveshaft to a driveline shop.. they can replace the u-joints and balance it for you.

 

Is your truck 4wd? If so simply remove the driveshaft and go for a drive in 4 hi and see if the vibration is gone..

 

this sounds almost to easy, why didnt i think of this. i will give this a try because my truck is 4wd

on taking to a shop, they want 90 to balance plus the staked ujoints were 85 each. i found a brand new shaft through Advance for 280 with lifetime warranty. but before i replace i will give the above a go.
thanks
matt

 

Yeah it might be a good idea to put a bag or something over the x case output just to catch any fluid that drops out and I wouldn't drive any farther than necessary to test it out so you don't lose unnecessary fluid out the opening while the driveshaft is out. The dealer will do this year to eliminate driveshaft noise, but they have a special plug to put in the hole...

 

Before i receive the new driveshaft or had time to drive without it, i went to pick up my kids after work and no vibrations at all. drove to pick them up, back home and than off to chick fil a for dinner all with no vibrations, total of 15 miles both highway and city driving. But after leaving chick fil a, vibrations were back as normal. the only difference from the previous day, was the temps were lower, the nighttime low was 44 the previous night. not sure if that matters or not.

Well i received my new driveshaft before i had the chance remove and drive without it.
The new driveshaft did not help. I did try mounting it twice rotating it each time in case it was oriented wrong since i had no markings to line up.
No difference, maybe a slight, but nothing significant.
I did proceed to check for the vibration with the rear tires lifted, and i could maybe, barely feel the vibration. not sure if that was a good test of not, but the vibration only seems present with the weight of vehicle on the ground.

What should i look into next? shocks i have no idea how old they are, but dont appear to be malfunctioning. the driveshaft/pinion angle seems within spec, but also its 4wd and i have removed the 1 inch spacer in the rear with no changes, next i used lowering shackles and no changes in vibration.
thanks
matt

 

today i drove the truck this am to drop off my kids, and no vibrations at all. seems to be temperature related.
any thoughts on what to try?
thanks
matt