Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

ANYTHING TO DO WITH MAKING YOUR VAN MOVE EXCEPT FOR THE ENGINE ITSELF.

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Yup, beat the tire off and then you can expect the drum to come off harder. When you put it back together, never seize the hubs and next time it'll fall off. I also never seize the back of the wheel where it makes contact with the drums and rotors.

The rotating hub on the opposite side in the opposite direction is normal for an open diff like yours.
Current rides:
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Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
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Rileysowner
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by Rileysowner »

Thanks, that is all I wanted to know.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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Rileysowner
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by Rileysowner »

The vibration was a seized front U-joint, and the rear tires had some bulges on them. They are being replaced while I type. I still have to do the rear brakes, and will hopefully get to that next week.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/

rlsllc
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by rlsllc »

To loosen a stuck wheel, remove lug nuts, spray a small amount of PB Blaster in lug seats so that it runs behind the wheel, replace the lugs, but only torque to 35lbs or so, take a short drive, low speed, stops and turns being mindful that your wheel is loose. This has worked for me, but keep aware of what you're doing so you don't loose a wheel.

edit: nevermind, missed the last posts :dunce:
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Rileysowner
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by Rileysowner »

I don't mind the hints, even if I don't need them right now. Picked up the van, and no rumble any more. The problem with seized U-joints is you can't see it without taking the drive-shaft off. Now back to the other stuff I need to do on the van.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
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http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by LaGrasta »

Rileysowner wrote:The vibration was a seized front U-joint, and the rear tires had some bulges on them. They are being replaced while I type. I still have to do the rear brakes, and will hopefully get to that next week.
I'm dealing with vibration problems at about 65-75mph. My U-Joints are original, but with 174k on them. When I grab the drive shaft and twist, it doesn't move at all. This means my joints are still good, correct?

BTW, mine is not a low freq rumble, but a violate shake the can't be felt until it starts at 65, no bad sounds at all.
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

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Rileysowner
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by Rileysowner »

What you are describing is classic symptoms of a u-joint gone bad.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

The only proper way to check a u-joint is to be able to freely move it in all directions. You'll have to pull the drive shaft to find out.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by LaGrasta »

They seem perfect, but for what they cost and such an easy repair, I should just swap them. Damn, I should have done it when I did the rear tranny seal this past Thursday!

Another friend mentioned the rear ranny bearing, in the tail shaft. Not sure what that even is, no replacement bearing found online at autozone.com. Do you know this part?
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

The tail shaft only has a bushing and seal. If you moved the u-joints through the range of motion with them being smooth, no sense in spending good cash on replacing them. I don't remember, but have you checked the tires for bulging/damage as well as balance?
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Rileysowner
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by Rileysowner »

This reminds me, I need to do that seal at the back of the transmission. It has been slowly dripping for a while.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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Re: Low Frequency "Rumble" about 60MPH

Post by LaGrasta »

Rileysowner wrote:This reminds me, I need to do that seal at the back of the transmission. It has been slowly dripping for a while.
Don't put it off, so cheap and easy. You'll feel better you did. \:D/
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
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