rear driveshaft noise and feel

[oldschooler]

Hey guys, New here and need help please.
I have a 95 expl. 4x4 4.0 motor. There is a grinding feel and noise coming from the rear driveshaft. It goes away almost completely when warmed up, about 2 miles of drive time. any ideas on what to look for? by the way universals all feel tight. Thanks, Rich

 

[Joe Dirt]

Are you sure it is the driveshaft? I'm just wondering if the rear diff might have some lube or bearing issues that go away once it warms up and it gets moved around... Just thinking out loud...

 

[oldschooler]

Are you sure it is the driveshaft? I'm just wondering if the rear diff might have some lube or bearing issues that go away once it warms up and it gets moved around... Just thinking out loud...

dont think so. It sounds closer to tranny, the front of the driveshaft. The tranny has no issues (yet) by the way vehicle has 215,000 miles. Thanks for chiming in. Rich

 

[Joe Dirt]

How is the transfer case?

 

[oldschooler]

How is the transfer case?

seems to be fine. goes in and out of 4wd with no issues

 

[Joe Dirt]

If nothing is rubbing the driveshaft, I'd say the u-joint could be bad. May not get any play, but the needle bearing(s) could still be bad. May not be bad enough that something is constant, and warming up might be enough to quiet it up... With 215k, might check them anyway...

 

[oldschooler]

Hey guys, New here and need help please.
I have a 95 expl. 4x4 4.0 motor. There is a grinding feel and noise coming from the rear driveshaft. It goes away almost completely when warmed up, about 2 miles of drive time. any ideas on what to look for? by the way universals all feel tight. Thanks, Rich

I have new info. on this problem. If I put the vehicle in 4x4 auto via switch on dash, the vehicle makes no noises while driving. When I switch it to 2wd it sounds like it is not fully disengaging and get a terrible grinding sound. Once vehicle is driven a couple of miles in 2wd the noise will go away. There is a sensor or valve behind the front diff. on the passenger side it has an electrical plug and 2 vacuum lines plugged into the top of it. Is this the possible cause? Thanks for any info at all. Thanks, Rich

 

[gmanpaint]

Hmm, the 4x4auto only turns on the control trac system. There is no gear transfer with this selection. I would change the fluids in the t-case, and check the old fluids for hints of whats going on inside.

The sensor your referring to is just the ABS sensor for the rear axle.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I agree- it sounds like something fishy is going on with the transfer case. Time for an old fashioned swap-and-inspect on the fluid...