Xs10tial

Over the past couple weeks, my truck started making a rumbling noise at speeds over 40 mph similar to going over a rumble strip. When it started, I immediately pulled over and crawled under the truck to look for leaks. Didn't find any. And the noise stopped and has only occurred one other time since.

Yesterday, I was pulling my trailer 40 miles from home to go camping and the rumble/vibration became worse, louder and vibrated the whole truck.

I stopped each time it occurred (first time was 15-20 miles from home). I crawled under the truck this morning and took a closer look at the tranny and the part that connects the front and rear drive-shafts (torque converter? I don't know much about transmissions, sorry) and saw a drop of ATF at the bottom of the torque converter. I started the truck and when the idle kicked down, I checked the ATF level it was a little low, but still above the 'add 1 pt' line. I drove 3 miles to the nearest store, and checked it again and it was a little lower (to be expected as it was warmer). Also, the truck made the same vibration noise during the ride there intermittantly (I stopped each time). I threw 1/2 of Dextron-III in and drove about 5 miles. The truck made the noise as soon as I got up to speed, but stopped before I had a chance to pull over. I drove back to the campground without incident, and checked the ATF level, and it was a little over full, foamy and milky with bubbles in it.

I don't want to do more damage to the truck, but I don't want to be stuck here, either.

Does anyone know what the problem could be? If there's a quick fix, I do have tools with me.

Will I be able to make it home with the trailer? Will the truck make it home, and I should either store the trailer here, or have a buddy come and get it?

Thanks in advance for all your help

Cucvnut

I think you mean your transfer case. Did you make sure the transmission mount is good and does not need to be replaced?

__________________
1984 M1008 CUCV 4x4 with a 6.2 th400,NP241,14ff with Detroit locker and Dana 60 with a Trac Lok both with 4.56 gears,Interior cage and 37 PJ Dirt Grips (soon to be 42's)

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/54154-my-cucv-lift.htmll my Build thread.

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Blood_of_Tyrants

Sounds like a wheel bearing is going bad.

doghead

Wheel bearing or Universal Joint maybe? What you are calling the torque converter, is most likely the Transfer Case.

I have no idea where OCMD is, so I may be on the other side of the world from you. (one of the reasons the rules ask for your state) If your in another country, I still don't know where OCMD is, sorry.

When is the last time you greased your U-joints? When is the last time you serviced your wheel bearings?

__________________
M818, M819, M35A2 w/w, M35A2, M109, M561 w/w, M274, M1008A1, M146, M105, M116A2, M101A2, Pioneer tool trailer, MEP-002, MEP-017A, 1990 Dodge Tug, 5ton winch shear pins

BlueToes

cracked out flex plate can make a good rumble too. actually had one that was broke all the way around, but would still drive down the road unless gave to much throttle, then would open up and make awfull noises.

not sure the rear end insides, but had the pin that goes thru spider gears slip out a bit, and the end rubbed inside rear pumpkin every now and then, till it hooked up solid one time. was on different truck, but something to check if can't find anything else.

__________________
84 cucv m1008
two old dueces
156ft naval YO (tender/cargo maybe) GONE!
two school buses
8 soobs
toyota 4runner
two civy 6.2 pickups
commercial clam dredge( part of military land train )

AaronW

ditto.....I had a CJ-5 that made the same noise at speed. The noise would change with weight shift side to side while turning. Turned out to be a rear wheel bearing. You would swear it was coming from the tranny or x-fer.

__________________
Aaron W
Napavine, WA

'53 M38A1 "Sleepy"
'63 M109A3 WO/W "Doc"
'68 M715 WO/W "Grumpy"
'71 M35A2 W/W "Happy"
'77 PU-625/G 3kw/60Hz(M101/dual MEP-016A)
'83 M332
'83 PU-406B/M 30Kw/ 50/60Hz(M200A1/MEP-005A)
'84 M923 "Dopey"(Wife's truck)
'86 M105A2
'90 M103A3 MKT-90
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U.S. Navy submarine sonar technician(STS1/SS) 1988-1998
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CARNAC

I had a situation like that and it was the universal joint. That would be a quick easy cheap first place to start and then go to the other stuff.

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Xs10tial

Wow, thanks for all the replies, folks. I checked the U joints by both front wheels, and it looks like the left one is leaking. Can anyone tell me how to fix it, or should I just replace the whole thing?

Pic is attached for reference, I cleaned out some of the much with a stick.

OCMD is Ocean City, Maryland but I'm currently in Quakertown, PA.

Thanks again, fellas!

Attached Images

	trucklfbearing.jpg (44.4 KB, 51 views)

doghead

A leak there(in your picture) is more likely to be the axle seal, not the U-Joint. Is it oily, or greasy?


With your front hubs unlocked and in 2WD, your front drive axles should not be turning. If your thinking that's where your vibration is coming from. That's if your hubs are working properly.

If you have done no PM, it's time to when you get home. When you grease a dry or bad U joint, often you will see the rust or crap, come out of the joint seals, as you load it with fresh grease. It's a good indication of where a problem U joint is.

__________________
M818, M819, M35A2 w/w, M35A2, M109, M561 w/w, M274, M1008A1, M146, M105, M116A2, M101A2, Pioneer tool trailer, MEP-002, MEP-017A, 1990 Dodge Tug, 5ton winch shear pins

Xs10tial

It's greasy. Not liquid like oil. I'll take it apart in the AM and see what it looks like.

Thanks again!