Check U-joints and carrier bearing... vibration

As some of you know from the vibration thread I have a pretty good vibration at 55 to 65 mph. It's quite annoying and my CD player won't play CDs in that speed range. Thats how bad the vibration is. It's hard to tell if it's coming from the front or the back. It seems like the whole truck is shaking. It is making it difficult to drive it to work everyday. I drive 42 miles one way and it's 80% highway at 55 to 65 mph. It sucks... I can't even talk on my cell phone cause my voice vibrates with the truck... lmao...

I am having a hard time tracking it down and fixing it. So far I have replaced wheels and tires. Upper and lower balljoints are good. The boots on my tie rod ends are torn and I plan to replace them, but I dont think they are causing my problem since I don't have any vibration in the steering wheel. I will replace the inner and outer tie rods anyways to rule them out.

I do get a good bit of vibration in my shifter though. It makes no difference if I am in gear and driving or in neutral coasting. Transmission shifts smoothly with no grinding so I don't think it has a problem.

My next things to check is the driveshaft, get an alignment, and try locating my lower shock mounts a little more towards the hubs. I will get the alignment done after I replace the tie rod ends. In the mean time I want to check the U-joints and carrier bearing. I hear a little squeaking while it's vibrating, but I'm not sure if it's something under the truck or the interior rattling loose. lol...

How do I check the U-joints and carrier bearing? What do I need to do and look for while checking them.

I thought about putting the rear of the truck on jack stands and running it up to 55 to 65 mph and see if it vibrates. I know thats not exactly safe, but will let me know if it is something motor, tranny, or driveline related.

Anyone else have any other suggestions? I am open to try anything at this point.

sounds like your carrier bearing...get under the truck and grab the driveshaft and try and move it all different directions, pay attention to your carrier bearing, the driveshaft should not move any in that area. i know on 2 mazda's ive had the driveshaft was just sitting there with the bearing completely gone from wear and tear...

Please do not put your truck on any support and run it even at idle.If it happens to vibrate off the suports and u are near it we could be sending flowers to ur funeral and we would like to keep u around.As posted above, try grasping the driveshaft and see if it has a lot of play in it.ALso,you can start truck,roll ur window down and put it in first and then reverse and see if u can hear a "clink" noise like metal on metal.Could be indication of a worn shaft/bearing/universal joint.Worn u joints can also lead to vibration.BJ

Cool. I'll try and check the drive shaft after work today. I have tried listening for a clink noise and don't hear anything. I will try that again and see if I notice anything.

lol... I'm not thrilled about putting the rear end in the air and running it to see what happens. I have done it before, but I know its not smart. I am just trying to find a way to narrow it down a little. I just can't tell if it is coming from the front, rear, or center of the truck.

Oh well if I can't get it figured out soon I will just let the dealership take a look at it. If it was a minor vibration I probably wouldn't worry about it too much, but its pretty significant.

One other thought.Ur driveshaft comes from the factory balanced with small lead weights much like tire weights attached to the shaft at various points.Maybe u knocked some of those off and got ur shaft out of balance. A good driveshaft shop can rebalance it for u. BJ

I might have to look into that as well. Thanks

Welcome.Hope u get ur ride fixed.BJ

I think I solved my problem... Actually Im pretty positive I solved mine. Its not fixed yet, but it will be fixed this weekend...

Anyone else want to confirm...




I dont think its supposed to have 1" of play at the carrier bearing... lol... Looks like Im going hunting for a carrier bearing.

yikes!

lol there is nothing left of the bearing... Its completely gone.