infiltrator

i guess its been a problem for about a week. at first i thought it was just me, but when my dad took my truck to the store, he noticed it too..

it sounds like theres a low hum comming from the engine, and it vibrates pretty bad (shaky like if you dont shift properly)
this is an automatic and i look and the rpm's are fine (truck is shifting but shaky's are still there)

also, there is a crackling/ snapping sound when the truck is just going slow down a residential street that i notice, and it doesnt sound good...

if there is any help you guys could give, i would really appreciate it.
this runner has never had any major problems for me.

infiltrator

also, no major tampering has been done to the engine. oil is new and fresh, transmission needs changed. i did seafoam through the brake booster line a week and a half ago. smog check passed with flying colors. (before seafoam)

infiltrator

anyone?

thook

When's the last time you did a tune up?

infiltrator

hmmmm probably a year im guessing

Flash319

Are you sure it is comming from the engine? Sounds like universal joints.

infiltrator

the cracking doesnt sound like its from the engine, but the low hum is definately caused by something that makes a deep noise, which i can only see as comming from the engine.

what are "universal joints"? is this critical?

Jay351

U-joints = they are the joints on the driveshafts that alow it to go at angles to work with the suspension travel. VERY important.

infiltrator

is this something i can check to make sure? can i just get under the truck and look for something wrong? what can i look for?

i really appreciate your help guys

MMA_Alex

look at the driveshafts. the u joints are where the driveshafts connect to other things. look kind of like an x. grab the driveshafts and try to wiggle them next to each joint. any play means that one needs replacing

infiltrator

yeah, im thinking that this is the problem. when i drove on the freeway yesterday, up hills, its making noise, and vibrating because of the stress im guessing. downhill it gets quiet and sounds normal lol.

im gonna get under there tomorrow, and ill snap some pictures.

stormin94

Yeah, just grab your drive shaft and give er a wiggle. If you notice more than a little slop, then it might be your U joints.