Driveshaft PING noise (5 speed)

What has worked for me so far as of 2018 or so:
The eventual fix for me was using the proper grease for the slip yoke. I was previously using the wrong grease (some red or green variety). The manual calls for a molybdenum grease (dark grey in color). Eventually once that worked it's way into the the splines, the noise went away.

Not sure if this thread has been made on here but there have been discussions about this in the past. Under any sort of load the driveline will make a loud ping noise. At this point mine will audibly do it when letting off the gas and reapplying (can hear this with the windows down), as well as engaging the clutch. Not sure if anyone has found a fix.

There was someone on TTORA that mentioned adding an extra washer to a flange bolt in the transfer case, however others have said that this does not work. Any thoughts? Is this just the slip yoke not getting proper lubrication? I have tried greasing everything, checking for play, but everything seems fine.

Other referenced threads:

 

Interesting. Mine does something similar. It sort of sounds like a single clang of a bell. I can make it do each time I switch from 1st to reverse, or from reverse to 1st. If I'm real easy on the clutch and gas I don't hear it, but if I'm quick on the clutch it happens every time.

 

Mine does it every once in a while as well. I have rebuilt the entire rear driveline (even the Cardan joint). Also replaced the Carrier. When I have my rear window down I can hear it. Almost does sound like a bell of sorts. I really wonder what it is. Sorry I'm no help but I have replaced quite a few things. I just went on a road trip and it still drives fine. It does not sound like a rear end problem at all. I do have a slight lift. I also have a well lubricated slip yoke/driveline. I had the noise prior to my new transmission and a different xfer case so that eliminates my noise to the rear end, brakes. Who knows with these ol pickups.

 

watching this thread, my truck sometimes makes this noise if im sloppy letting the clutch out to load up the driveline, feels almost like there is a little bit of play somewhere and when the driveline loads up the slop catches up and a soft metallic *thok sound. started happening after bouncing up on a rock shelf offroad over a year ago

 

Mine does the same thing! 2004 4 x 4 extended cab 2.7 litre 5 speed. Driven me nuts.

 

Guess there isn't a fix. I saw this but not sure if this would remedy the problem

https://youtu.be/Jyltxe2nPEg

@Timmah!

 

I remember those threads. It really comes down to identifying the source.

The good news is if it's a drive line "ping" it can only come from the companion flanges (3), the u-joints (4), the Double Cardan "ball" and or the slip joint. Unfortunately any of those items can produce the exact same sound and that sound likes to "telegraph" along the entire shaft.
Tap the tube portion of the shaft with a screwdriver tip. If it's the same ping your in the right area.

It's going to take a methodical process of elimination. Do it with the truck off and stationary. Try and replicate the ping manually by hand, rapidly moving/turning various parts. In gear, out of gear, tire jacked up etc. Feeling, looking and listening for the culprit.
To get enough speed and leverage to bring out the ping, have a helper rotate a tire back and forth while you snoop. A vise grip chain wrench is very handy to provide the needed leverage and speed when rotating various individual shaft components back and forth.



If it's the slip joint there may be no long term cure short of replacing the joint. I have a ping from the joint and liberal amounts of grease will quiet it down for a short time. I just live with it and it has been going on for years.

The slip joint can be tough to lube, or get enough lube into. It's essentially a closed chamber and will hold a bunch of lube, sometimes too much. To get grease from the zerk, to and passed the splines and out the seal (provided it is not sealing too well) means that the entire end of the shaft is filled with grease. Now hit a bump and you may hydraulically pop a plug out the back of the joint.

Study the diagram and trace the path the grease must take to fully lube the splines. There may be some special super sticky/stringy lube that will quiet better for longer.



The plug, been there.


Should the culprit be a loose flange, this is going to take very close inspection to determine exactly what is loose. Could be worn splines from a loose nut or just a loose nut. Could be the nut bottoming out (extra washer trick).
I had a fellow lined up to come in with a ping he swore was the transfer case flange. I bought a tube of "Loctite 660", "repairs splines, shafts and press fits" but the fellow never showed. So the jury is still out on that. It seems a bit hoaky but there has been a fair bit of success with loose Volvo axle splines using it. Google will return plenty about the Volvo issue and use of 660.

Good luck

 

I wish I knew what all those were.

I had my driveshaft balanced a year ago. The same place does u-joints, so I think they'd have tried to sell me if those were needed. Same with the double cardan. I assume the slip joint is the long splined joint at the end of the drive shaft. What's a companion flange?

 

It's the companion flange behind the center support bearing and infront of the double cardan joint. Mine does it every time i let the clutch out a little to fast switching from 1st to reverse or vise versa. What happens is there is a tiny bit of play in the splines of the first piece of the driveshaft and the companion flange. When torque is applied too quickly the tiny bit of play is shifted and because the driveshaft is hollow, it resonates loudly. Tap your driveshaft lightly with a screwdriver and it will make the same exact sound. I can actually take my hands and twist forcfully the two piece driveshaft in opposite directions and feel the play. I recently replaced my center support bearing and the nut that holds the companion flange on has a two part tightening sequence. I'm going to give an example of the tightening sequence "these are not the actual torque specs". Refer to your Hynes repair manual for exact torque specs!!!!

Tighten nut to 150 ft lbs to fully seat flange to driveshaft.
Loosen 1 full turn.
Torque to 60 ft lbs.
Steak nut to prevent loosening.

Did that sequence to the tee and I still get the ping noise. To me, I now pass it off as a normality to having a torque monster of a truck

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/metallic-driveshaft-pinging.495046/

 

Sounds like a cowbell but I gotta live with it now hopefully I get used to it

 

Mine makes the same noise in the same circumstances. I think its ole betsy passing a queef.

 

Had same type issues and for me was a combination of the slip joint worn out and the Cardan joint worn out.
So bought a new driveshaft and everything is perfect now.
Greasing the slip joint and Cardan joint did not fix anything for me

 

The eventual fix for me was using the proper grease for the slip yoke. It has to be a molybdenum grease (usually dark grey in color). Eventually once that worked it's way into the the splines, the noise went away.

 

Yeah I greased that sucker up and the noise went away thanks just like the other guy said it’s old betsy passing a queef