The story so far: Started with some vibration. Then noise. Everything got worse over 50 miles per hour. So this is a 52 1/2 ton that has lots of Farm fixes. I looked at the VIN. The no chrome and decided...yep it is a 52. Ordered an "okie" repair bushing from :http://www.vapinc.com/chevy/Driveshaft%20Bushing-Seal%20Assy/main.html
It would seem they are the suppliers to the other vendors. Nice web site and good folks to deal with. The price was good to. Part came on time and I started the install. The forward bushong was worn. The trunnion and bushings were worn so I thought I had found the problem. Put the new bushing in the torque tube. It went about half way and stuck. Hard. Now the truck is a friends garage, and I have bits scattered all over the place. Up on his jack stands. With his floor jack holding the tube up and s@#t every where. So out comes the big hammer. It goes in some more but stops with about 1 and 1/2 inch still out past the tube. I know something is not right, but I want out of the way, so I put it all back together. I had to wedge the yoke and trunnion past the flange on the transmission(not my best move). But it went in to place, and all seemed well. The new bushing was snug on the yoke and away I whent. 500 miles later, the main output bearing in the transmission was making noise. 100 more miles and the pinion bearing(the rel bad actor) failed, spitting roller bearings into the differential. When I disassembled the rear end to see what was going on, the following came clear:
1, I have a 47-51 rear end(Dough).
2, I have the wrong "okie" bushing.
3, The pinion bearing let the drive shaft whip(the real reason for the torque tube bushing to be loose)
4, It could have been avoided(just look at the truck before you order parts).
I was very lucky. I found a donor in the neighborhood. It was free to a new home. Think about that for a moment. I was Lucky. I now know how to pull the torque tube/carrier assembly. I know how to replace the whole thing and it reassembled with out any problems or issues. The parts are heavy. It was cold outside. It got wet out there too. Why did I want out of his garage so fast? Who still thinks education is free? The truck is good. It is quiet and smooth. I, on the other hand have some clothes to wash or burn according to the boss. And some aspirin awaits me. Other than that, a good day working on my truck. By the way, the front axle is correct for a 52. So go figure. The boss says the clothes are toast(something about the sulfur smell and her dryer).
