Metallic driveshaft pinging

BTW, I don't know what is going on with all the washers this guy is using to space the carrier from the frame. It's just the first picture I googled.

Grease the splines with u-joint grease or something heavy. If the sound goes away, you know these splines are the issue. Glob in on and make sure you get the retaining nut indented enough so it doesn't back off (or just replace it). Like I said, I had the same metallic "ping" sound, so this may be a good place to start looking if you are sure your u-joints are in good health. I read one thread on here where the guy had the nut back off completely, so maybe the nut is just loose.

 

Make sure you mark it to get the 2 shafts back in time. If you going to separate it there

 

Any of the companion flanges can cause this noise. Use green Loctite on the splines and torque an extra 20ftlbs over recommendation. Except on the differential set preload to spec there. I would start with the center support flange first.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Got it torn apart today finally. There aren't multiple sets of splines, right? The only ones I have are the slip-splines that are just forward of the rearmost U-joint that allows the shaft to extend/contract with suspension movement.

Mechanicjon - are the companion flanges simply the flanges on the ends of each shaft segment that bolt together?

 

https://youtu.be/mnshCRIgMcY

Seems pretty shot to me...

 

There supposed to have movement in them. Usually the bearing gets sloppy in the rubber and will start spinning in it. The flange I would start with is the one you had in your hand in the video.

 

Will be keeping a close eye on this

 

that's normal. unless there are tares and/or holes, the carrier rubber is usually fine. but what about the bearing?

 

Mine dose this same noise and I have to turn up the radio lol, my noise will only happen when I'm coasting with my foot of the gas WHILE IM IN GEAR, totally sounds like someone put cards under my driveshaft to sound like a dirt bike , I know my carrier bearing dosent have much lift left in it, but man I just have no idea what this could be, I'm putting my AC together this week and If it's all fixed I'm tearing my driveshaft apart for carrier bearing so see how that goes praying it'll fix it but I really couldent see how it's going to help with the noise ...

 

As for the washers you mentioned spacing the carrier its common for guys to do that after a lift install to correct angles or help vibes.

 

mine has a what I call a "clatter" sound, its predominantly over 55mph...I dont know what it is either. I tried moving the driveshafts and everything seems tight. Its perplexing.

 

Have you taken drive shaft out and checked if a joint is binding?

 

no, it sounds like the drivers side front area. I need to try and lube the 4x4 shaft, maybe thats what is causing the noise. The front CV was warm but not hot, the shaft coming from the trans to the front axle was hotter than anything else but it wasnt excessive. Does anyone know if that axle shaft moves without 4x4 engaged?

 

Locking hubs or A.D.D.?

 

Its just a shift lever on the floor, no locking hubs.

 

Then the front axles always turn. The front drive shaft has no power to it but it can rotate sometimes at a slower speed.

 

Maybe thats what/where the noise is coming from. It sounds like a bearing rattle but it only does it at speeds over 55mph...

 

Don't have much experience with the 4x4's. I'm Prerunner and without hearing it myself. Afraid I can't help ya.

 

yeah sounds like what a worn out bearing would sound like but nothing seems out of the ordinary.

 

Have you jacked it up and checked wheel bearings?