New guy with a question - half shafts

[Wren]

Just got back from the Chevy dealer in town.

Multiple test drives, multiple mechanics, multiple times in the air, prodded, poked, twisted, shook, folded, spindled and mutilated - and they couldn't find a bloomin' thing wrong with that car until they drove it down the highway.

They checked for service bullitens. They checked with a Suzi dealer that's still conducting business. They sacrificed a virgin on an alter.Their conclusion is that there isn't a thing wrong with that car unless you drive it.

Service manager didn't even charge me for all the effort. Said he couldn't justify charging for what has them stumped.

So, the net result is- great car, just don't drive it.

I hate this car.

Wren

[Wren]

Taking a clue from spidermonkey's thread and from previous experience with my Tracker I went out and picked up another driveshaft this morning.

Put it in and gave it a 30 mile test drive. No muss, no fuss and no grinding. EUREKA!!!

Then I drove back to town to gas it up for the wife and on the way back- there it is- the same grind, the same vibration, at the same speeds.

I'm now totally disgusted. If someone sees a red Suzuki induced bonfire today it'll be at my house. I don't know what else to do with it. The Chevy dealer doesn't know what to do with it. I'm out of ideas.

Wren

[Spidermonkey]

Yeah...if I could drive mine down I would add mine to the fire as well...

[Wren]

A little update here- I took the car to the dealer where I bought the tires so that they could check things out and hopefully rule out the tires as the problem. They rebalanced and rotated the tires and the test drive still had the same growling issues.

The gal doing the test drive did something that we've all been taught is a no-no, she put the car in neutral at 60 mph- and the growling stopped.

Haven't processed it through my noggin yet but at least I have a new clue to think about.

Wren

[mojoinco]

Bummer!

I hear the sound of a transmission bearing replacement, or maybe the transfer case bearings. A fluid change should help decide that (they both should have magnetic drain plugs -- if the transmission even has a drain plug). I know a lot of auto transmissions don't even have drain plugs anymore. You are supposed to loosen one side/corner bolts more than the other, then pop the cover off. All over a large catch pan. Oriented towards a shop with a lift (and a large roll around mounted barrel with a stand pipe and catch basin).

I feel your pain!