Ok, so this is kinda part II to the thread I started about my clutch slipping. I've basically ruled out that the clutch is slipping. The noise it makes is coming from the rear of the truck. So a little refresher about the issue: Whenever I take off in 2nd when the truck is cold, I get this little slip feeling accompanied with a little slip noise (kind of sounds like a metal to metal sound). It's really quick but it's enough to hear/feel and I'm almost positive it's coming from the rear of the truck. Once the truck is driven for a couple blocks or so the problem goes away. Hence the idea that taking it to the dealership is useless. The problem has gotten a little worse, but it definitely doesn't do it after a couple miles worth of driving. This was making me think my driveline u-joints might be going (maybe they have enough play when cold to do the problem, but as they warm up the metal expands enough to where the clearance goes away). Or, I was thinking that because my pinion seal leaks, maybe my carrier bearing has taken a dump. Either way, I have no vibrations at all and I would think that both of these would cause a wicked shimmy. I used to have a lifted 4Runner that ate up u-joints and it would definitely vibrate. So, I'm at a loss. Could my limited slip be taking a dump? Has anybody had this issue? Can anyone point me in the right direction? I hardly have time enough to afford the down time for getting the pinion seal replaced, not to mention the time it would take to locate this little gremlin. For the love of Pete, this is frustrating!

 

Changed the diff fluid lately? Just wondering if you did, did you put the additive package in there?

I know some people claim it's not needed, but I have seen other vehicles make terrible noises (Explorer) when it was not added after a change.

Might be worth thinking about.

It's so intermittent, can't be anything too serious.

 

Nah, I haven't changed it yet although I plan on it today. I've been working nights and it's ruff gettin' anything done on the rig. I've only got 21k on the ticker and I've only pulled a few times so I'm hoping the oil's not broken down to the point that it's creating a problem. I'm hoping something just grenades so the problem will rear its ugly little head and I can get it fixed under warranty!

 

Huh.

Be careful about the warranty talk, you are 6K over on your first diff service interval. (I know, 95% of people say it's not needed, manual says so though) But, if your gears end up partially through the cover, the dealer might ask about when it was changed.

Just a thought.

I would take it in anyway, something doesn't have to experience catastrophic failure for them to find/fix it. I highly doubt it's even a rear issue, very uncommon.

 

Yeah, I know. I was just joking about the grenade thing. My dealer is pretty good about warranty work so far. They've asked zero questions...they've just fixed stuff. Their service writer, so far, is a pretty stand up guy.

 

The sound and the feel you are getting thru the drive line is most likely the slip yoke moving in and out of the trans tail shaft. You can drop the drive shaft and lube the inside of the yoke and reinstall the problem will go away for a short period but will come back.

 

So you mean when I take off, the back end sags just enough to reduce driveline angle, thus pushing the driveshaft up the yoke? If this is what you mean, I think I am following. It sounds reasonable enough, but when it happens it feels like my actual acceleration is affected (a seat of the pants feeling) which is why I was thinking it was a rotating part slipping. Maybe I'm offbase on that spectrum, but I do see what you mean about the driveline/slip yoke. Thanks.