Drive shaft or something else – Really Confused!

[410Fortune]

if it was the drive shaft I would suspect it to happen when both turning left and right, and also sometimes when just going straight or over bumps (gradually getting worse)

If its a CV shaft (more likely IMO) then it will only happen on one side

Either way yes it is possible your wheel could seize up if you let it go too long, but after some SERIOUS abuse (leaving it like this for many miles)

You can TRY removing the front d shaft and see if the noise is still there.
I am not sure 100% about your model, AWD models wont like the f d shaft being removed but its okay to drive it for a few miles like this just to check the noise.

A local driveline shop can rebuild your front d shaft for under $150, you take it out, drop it off with them, they replace worn parts and re-balance, paint it, and then you pick it back up. The shop I use here in town does this for me for $90-120 with a one day turn around.

 

[Badspell68]

I only get the banging sound when I turn left. Is that something that could happen with a bad front driveshaft? To me (and I am new at this) it does not make sense to connect left turning sounds to a front drive shaft?

What I am trying to figure out is if the drive shaft is bad or maybe the problem is with the shaft on the left wheel?

 

[410Fortune]

shaft on the left wheel as you are calling it is a CV shaft, constant velocity

removal of the front driveshaft, then a test drive, will determine if it is the front d shaft or the CV shaft or something else

 

[gijoecam]

The front driveshaft turns all the time, and isn't under any more load when turning left than when turning right. IMHO, if it was the driveshaft, it would do it in both directions.

If it ONLY happens when turning left, then it's unlikely the front driveshaft. My money would be on either the left side halfshaft, or the left side bearing. (And I'd put my chips on the halfshaft). IIRC, it's about $70 from any Advance Auto or AutoZone. Takes about an hour to change, if that.



-Joe

 

[Badspell68]

What is the halfshaft, or the left side bearing...any pictures?


Just for future reference what would symptoms of a failing front driveshaft be?

THANKS!

 

[Rottie]

I think what 410 is saying is to remove the driveshaft that goes from the transfer case to the front differential. If the noise goes away, then there's the problem. But because the noise is coming from the front only on left turns the front left CV shaft sounds like the culprit. This sounds like a typical CV shaft failure, not a problem with the driveshaft. I've had a few of these go bad over the years and I haven't seen one lock up the front wheel (not saying it can't happen though), because the noise is a good warning to change it before this can happen. If you remove it, it'll probably feel loose and floppy and possibly have a split in the boot that has caused the grease to escape.

 

[410Fortune]

half shaft
wheel axle shaft
cv shaft

all refer to the same assembly in this thread

 

[Badspell68]

Great! Can I do one side or does it have to be done on both at the same time?

Just to clarify… the dealer said the front drive shaft, left un-repaired, would lock up the front wheels.

 

[Rottie]

Man this thread is moving fast! I didn't get my last post in on time...

The halfshaft, or CV shaft, or constant velocity shaft is the shaft that connects the front wheels to the front differential. The front driveshaft connects the transfer case to the front differential. Usually the only failures you'll have with a bad driveshaft is a clicking or squeaking sound that increases with speed as the ujoints wear out. Now if you're doing some off roading and hit a rock with the driveshaft it can dent it causing an imbalance and a vibration.

 

[Rottie]

Great! Can I do one side or does it have to be done on both at the same time?

Just to clarify… the dealer said the front drive shaft, left un-repaired, would lock up the front wheels.

No you don't have to do them both at the same time, but if one is bad the other may not be far behind. Besides you'll already have the front end up in the air and already be dirty, so why not?

 

[Badspell68]

Thanks so much, that's what I was looking for. As always the dealer was way off!

Can I replace the CV on the Left wheel only?

 

[Badspell68]

Good point! Off to the shop I go...

 

[410Fortune]

yes you can replace just the left side (drivers) CV shaft

DONT BUY ANYTHING YET
You need to do some testing and visual inspection before you go buying parts

dealerships usually are dead on when they diagnose a problem, I said usually, but not always

If they said your front d shaft is the issue I would first confirm if they mean D shaft or CV shaft, then ask them how they found the problem and to SHOW IT TO YOU.

Then move to step 2 which is how do I get this sucker fixed?

 

[Badspell68]

They took out then showed me the FRONT-DRIVSHAFT. They did not show me any damage nor did they say why it was bad. I asked how it could make the left front wheel bang and their answer was something to the affect of, "the angle and pressure changes on the drive-shaft as you turn your wheel"

Their part cost for a new front drive shaft is $670.
How does that sound?

 

[410Fortune]

like a complete rip off, but to be expected at a stealership service department.

the transfer case and the front differential on your truck are FIXED, meaning they do not change location when you drive, turn, take bumps, etc
its true turning left may have a different effect on the front d shaft then turning right with an open front end (the axle shaft assembly on the left of your diff is closer to the tire then on the right = least path of resistance is on this side) BUT a simple test would paint a clearer picture for you

remove d shaft, drive truck, noise still there this points to the CV shaft
Noise gone, this points to the D shaft

In either case if you remove/install the shaft yourself the repair will be well under $200

 

[Badspell68]

Cool! Any special tools needed to remove the front-shaft?

 

[410Fortune]

only the search button!

 

[Turdle]

you might try looking at post 14 and 16 in your own thread--

 

[Badspell68]

Believe it or not …the dealer was dead wrong!! Dealer replaced my front drive shaft and the noise was still there. They were so embarrassed that they did not charge me for the man-hours, but I did have to pay for the part as I bout it from and outside source for much less. It was the left wheel bearing; a plane old ghetto shop figured it out.

 

[gijoecam]

Thanks for the update!

Oh, and Post #24 above had it nailed...