Inspection and Verification
Certain axle noise or vibration symptoms are also common to the engine, transmission, wheel
bearings, tires, and other parts of the vehicle. For this reason, be sure that the cause of the trouble is
in the axle before disassembling, adjusting or repairing the axle. Refer to
Section 100 - 04 .
Certain driveshaft vibration symptoms are common to the front engine accessory drive (FEAD), the
engine, transmission or tires. Be sure the cause of the concern is the driveshaft before repairing or
installing a new driveshaft. Refer to Section 100 - 04 .
Certain symptoms may be caused by Traction- Lok® differentials (4026). Check the vehicle certification
label and axle identification tag to determine the type of differential. Refer to Section 100 - 01 .
Noise Acceptability
NOTE: A gear-driven unit will produce a certain amount of noise. Some noise is acceptable and
audible at certain speeds or under various driving conditions such as a newly paved blacktop road.
Slight noise is not detrimental to the operation of the axle and is considered normal.
With the Traction- Lok® differential axle, slight chatter noise on slow turns after extended highway
driving is considered acceptable and has no detrimental effect on the locking axle function.
Universal Joint (U- Joint) Inspection
Place the vehicle on a frame hoist and rotate the driveshaft (4602) by hand. Check for rough operation
or seized U- joints. Install a new U- joint if it shows signs of seizure, excessive wear, or incorrect
seating. Refer to Section 205 - 01 .
Analysis of Leakage
Clean up the leaking area enough to identify the exact source. An axle leak can be caused by the
following. zAxle lubricant level is too high.
z Worn or damaged axle shaft seals or differential seals.
z Differential housing is cracked.
z Flange yoke seat is worn or damaged.
z Pinion flange is scored or damaged.
z Axle cover is not sealed.
z Vent is plugged. Klj . 2 ba
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NOTE:
If the axle shaft assembly is removed, check runout of the shaft itself. The forged (unmachined)
part of the shaft is allowed to have as much as 3.0 mm (0.120 inch) runout. This alone will not cause a
vibration condition.
1. Position the special tool on the wheel hub or axle flange face, as close to the outer edge as possible. Zero the indicator to allow the pointer to deflect either way.
2. Rotate the hub or flange one full turn and note the maximum and minimum readings. The difference between the maximum and minimum readings will be the total face runout. The
runout must not exceed 0.127 mm (0.005 inch).
Drive Pinion Stem and Pinion Flange
Check the pinion flange runout when all other checks have failed to show the cause of vibration.
One cause of excessive pinion flange runout is incorrect installation of the axle drive pinion seal.
Check to see if the spring on the seal lip has been dislodged before installing the ring gear and pinion.
Axle Noise
NOTE: Before disassembling the axle to diagnose and correct gear noise, eliminate the tires, exhaust,
trim items, roof racks, axle shafts and wheel bearings as possible causes. Follow the diagnostic
procedures in Section 100 - 04 .
The noises described as follows usually have specific causes that can be diagnosed by observation as
the unit is disassembled. The initial clues are the type of noise heard during the road test.
Gear Howl and Whine
Howling or whining of the ring gear and pinion is due to an incorrect gear pattern, gear damage or
incorrect bearing preload.
Bearing Whine
Bearing whine is a high- pitched sound similar to a whistle. It is usually caused by worn/damaged
pinion bearings, which are operating at driveshaft speed. Bearing noise occurs at all driving speeds.
This distinguishes it from gear whine which usually comes and goes as speed changes.
As noted, pinion bearings make a high- pitched, whistling noise, usually at all speeds. If however there
is only one pinion bearing that is worn/damaged, the noise may vary in different driving phases. If
pinion bearings are scored or damaged or there is a specific pinion bearing noise, new pinion bearings
must be installed. A worn/damaged bearing will normally be obvious at disassembly. Examine the
large end of the rollers for wear. If the pinion bearings original blend radius has worn to a sharp edge, a new pinion bearing must be installed. Klj . 6 ba
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crayon or chalk.
6. While holding the crayon or chalk against the tire, rotate the wheel slowly in the opposite direction until the feeling of driving the rear axle is encountered again.
7. Measure the length of the crayon or chalk mark on the tire. zIf the length of the mark is 25.4 mm (1 inch) or less, the rear axle backlash is within
allowable limits.
z If the chalk mark is greater than 25.4 mm (1 inch), check for these conditions:
„Elongation of the differential pinion shaft and holes in the differential case (4204).
„ Missing differential pinion thrust washer (4230) or differential side gear thrust
washer (4228).
„ Galling of the differential pinion shaft (4211) and bore.
„ Excessive ring gear and pinion backlash. Follow the procedure for the type of rear
axle to check backlash.
Axle Shaft Bearing Noise
Axle bearing shaft noise is similar to gear noise and differential pinion bearing whine. Axle shaft
bearing noise will usually distinguish itself from gear noise by occurring in all driving modes (drive,
coast, and float), and will persist with the transmission in NEUTRAL while the vehicle is moving at the
speed in which the concern is occurring. If the vehicle makes this noise, remove the suspect axle
shaft, install a new bearing and a new axle seal. Re- evaluate the vehicle for noise before removing any
internal components.
Bearing Rumble
Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. This condition is usually caused by a
worn/damaged wheel bearing. The lower pitch is because the wheel bearing turns at only about one-
third of the driveshaft speed. Wheel bearing noise also may be high- pitched, similar to gear noise, but
will be evident in all four driving modes.
Symptom Chart
Symptom Chart Condition
Possible Sources Action
z Traction- Lok®
does not work in
snow, mud or on
ice z
Differential. zCARRY OUT the Traction-
Lok® Differential Operation
Check in this section. REPAIR
as necessary. REFER to
Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B .
z Lubricant leaking
from the pinion
seal, axle shaft oil
seals z
Vent.
z Damage in the
seal contact area
or damaged or
worn seal. z
CLEAN the axle housing vent.
z INSTALL a new seal if
damage is found.
z Differential side
gears/pinion
gears are scored z
Insufficient
lubrication. z
INSTALL new gears. REFER
to Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B . FILL the axle to
specification.
z Incorrect or
contaminated z
INSTALL new gears. REFER
to Section 205 - 02A or
Section Klj . 10 ba
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Component Tests
Driveline Vibration
An analysis of driveline vibration can also be conducted using the Vibration Analyzer; follow the
manufacturer's directions.
Driveline vibration exhibits a higher frequency and lower amplitude than does high-
speed shake.
Driveline vibration is directly related to the speed of the vehicle and is usually noticed at various speed
ranges. Driveline vibration can be perceived as a tremor in the floorpan or is heard as a rumble, hum,
or boom. Driveline vibration can exist in all drive modes, but may exhibit different symptoms depending
upon whether the vehicle is accelerating, decelerating, floating, or coasting. Check the driveline angles
if the vibration is particularly noticeable during acceleration or deceleration, especially at lower speeds.
Driveline vibration can be duplicated by supporting the axle upon a hoist or upon jack stands, though
the brakes may need to be applied lightly in order to simulate road resistance.
1. Raise the vehicle promptly after road testing. Use a twin- post hoist or jack stands to prevent tire
flat- spotting. Engage the drivetrain and accelerate to the observed road test speed to verify the lubricant type.
205 - 02B . CLEAN and
REFILL the axle to
specification.
z Axle overheating zLubricant level too
low. z
CHECK the lubricant level.
FILL the axle to specification.
z Incorrect or
contaminated
lubricant type. z
INSPECT the axle for
damage. REPAIR as
necessary. CLEAN and
REFILL the axle to
specification.
z Bearing preload
adjusted too tight. z
CHECK the ring and pinion for
damage. INSPECT the ring
and pinion wear pattern.
ADJUST the preload as
necessary.
z Excessive gear
wear. z
INSPECT all the axle gears
for wear or damage. INSTALL
new components as
necessary.
z Incorrect ring gear
backlash. z
INSPECT the ring gear for
scoring. INSPECT the ring
and pinion wear pattern.
ADJUST the ring gear
backlash as necessary.
z Broken gear teeth
on the ring gear
or pinion z
Overloading the
vehicle. z
INSTALL a new ring and
pinion. REFER to Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B .
z Axle shaft broken zOverloading the
vehicle. z
INSTALL a new axle shaft.
REFER to Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B .
z Misaligned axle
shaft tube. z
INSPECT the axle for
damage. CHECK axle shaft
tube alignment. INSTALL a
new axle shaft. REFER to
Section 205 - 02A or
Section 205 - 02B . Klj . 11 ba
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