Baseball card in the spokes

[psuedopimp]

Our 2001 tahoe lost the transmission. I replaced the transmission and when I took it on the test drive, it sounde like someone put a baseball card in my bikes spokes

It is def coming from driver side front area. I had some great advise that it was a cv joint. Easy fix so I did that and same noise. I was thinking maybe a u-joint on front driveshaft so I took off the driveshaft and cruised.

The noise goes away with no front driveshaft installed!

So I replaced both u-joints

Noise is still there when I re-install the driveshaft

Any ideas??
Front dif is full and fluid looks great but I guess that is my next guess

[Bigdav160]

In 2WD or 4WD? Your front driveshaft shouldn't be turning while in 2WD so I don't know why the noise would change removing it.

[psuedopimp]

All the above 4hi and low. If I get to 30mph is when the noise is the loudest. The noise does not change in any gear even neutral.

[yellowbomber]

Does the 2001 Tahoe not have a Carden joint? You said two U-joints but I thought they ran a Carden joint. If there is is a Carden joint, they get noisy if not lubed or old.

I know you said in 2wd, is that by crawling under and verifying the front shaft is free? Some upgraded model Tahoes in '02 had electronic 4x4 shifters not sticks. The button or dial may say 2wd but the shaft is still engaged.

[snj8198]

The front drive shaft does spin and there is not a double cardon joint on this critter. It has u-joints at both ends and the slip is into the transfer case. Remember when replacing these joints that they are plastic injected into the yoke. You need to take a torch to the yoke ears and melt/burn that plastic out which will escape out the pin holes in the yoke ears. Then you can press/beat the cross out. No amount of beating or pressing on those joints will let that cap out without damaging the yokes unless that plastic is burnt out.

Good luck.

[psuedopimp]

Yep both joints are replaced. A lot easier after the plastic was burnt out! That was a first for me.

I did not put it on stands to confirm that it is out of 4hi and in 2wd. But there is a noticeable difference in driveAbility when I put into 4wd vs 2wd. I mean you can tell when it is in 4wd so I'm almost certain it is shifting out. But I'm taking it to a shop to put on a lift to locate the sound.

It is like someone put a zip tie on my drive shaft as a joke

[psuedopimp]

Ok. Found it. It's amazing how you can miss things untill it is up on a lift. The shift cable was actually rubbing the shaft. Re-routed and we are good to go

Thanks for the brainstorming ideas

[snj8198]

hahaha oh no! spent some money before finding it was a simple fix. atleast you didn't go through the front end and t-case before realizing you needed... a zip tie. Glad you found it.