Driveshaft Noise, U-Joints??

[Joey41]

97 Camaro - V6,.....OK, for some time now there has been some strange noises coming from the area where the driveshaft goes into the transmission (automatic). I replaced my transmission mount, and one noise is gone, but it seems like now there is a rattling of sorts. I do not here it when I accelerate, but you definitly here it when you take your foot off the gas. This occurs on the highway doing 70 as well as cruising through parking lots going 10. By the way I have a one piece steel shaft that I got from a junkyard off a z28, but did not replace u-joints on it. Strange thing is that the noises and clunks that I hear now were not there before I replaced the trans mount. Anybody got any ideas what it might be? I was thinking about pulling the shaft and taking it to get u-joints replaced.

Thanks, Joey

[CDNFB]

Re: Driveshaft Noise, U-Joints??

I would replace the U-joints. Cheap and easy thing to do. Replacing the U-joints yourself is not a difficult job.

[Joey41]

Re: Driveshaft Noise, U-Joints??

Weird thing happened. I drove to my parents this Sunday to borrow there driveway to work on the car. No noise or anything on the way over there. Checked the mount I put in a week earlier, checked for any other loose parts, didn't find any. Now I have no noise and no problems! Not sure what was going on. Did however notice my torque arm bushing may be shot. I can move that thing up and down. Looking into replacing that now. If the noise/vibrations come back I will definitly be doing he u-joints though.

[Vanquish]

Re: Driveshaft Noise, U-Joints??

Why not go ahead and change the U-joints that way the problem doesn't come back. Just because the symptoms disappear doesn't mean the problem has.

The sound I think you were hearing was the tranny mount still, but it probably shook itself completely tight, almost like an impact gun.

Good luck, and I hope your problem stays away, but one can only hope.

[Joey41]

Re: Driveshaft Noise, U-Joints??

Vanquish, Good advice. It is only $40 - $50 for the shop down the street to replace the u-joints for me. Have to wait till the new year though. I agree with what you said about the mount. I am also ordering a new torque arm bushing, found it online for $15. Took a look at mine and it is pretty banged up.