Drive Shaft..

[sbuscha]

Just a quick note. I have an 03 Blackallac and I am now on my fourth drive shaft. Is this common. When going down the freeway I hear a vibration, and I feel a rough ride. The dealer said it is common...huh!

[o3cts]

Damn bro fourth drive shaft? Im on my 1 and hopefully only one. The vibration can come from tires, and or shocks. See what typee of tires your running , and see what there sound raaating is. Try Tirerack.com there good with tires , and tire info.

[RobertCTS]

Originally Posted by sbuscha

Just a quick note. I have an 03 Blackallac and I am now on my fourth drive shaft. Is this common. When going down the freeway I hear a vibration, and I feel a rough ride. The dealer said it is common...huh!

After they cange the driveshaft does the problem go away for a while.

There's a lot of members here and they post their problems but never heard of yours before.

[odysseus]

I had a very similar issue, but it was the driveshaft bolts (to the diff) that backed out. One actually was laying in my driveway, which gave me a clue. A little Blue Loctite will fix it. Driveshafts don't usually fail. U-Joints, or bolts backing off are much more common (although driveshaft issues aren't normally that common on a low mileage modern car).

They are typically balanced though, and if one of the welded balance weights comes off, it will vibrate. Very unlikely, although it's happend to me on my '65 Mustang with it's 40+ year old driveshaft. Four in a row? I'd find a new dealer, and suggest some locktite.

[TagApl4]

They are ordering me a new driveshaft as we speak, They said that i needed to replace the ujoint, I had a thumping noise coming from the rear end on load turns and launches.

[mikesharon]

This has happened to me twice, they said it was because mine is a MT its more common.....the second time they fixed it the bolts where redesigned....my car is like a new car it has never driven so well since they have fixed it the second time.

[sbuscha]

The first time they replaced it, they had to do it 3 times. Each one that came in was off scope. It was not balanced properly. I just tokk the car back again after 4 months because i could feel a slight wobble and vibration at freeway sppeds. They replaced the drive shaft yet again.

The dealership is great; however I have had problems with this and the seal that goes there as well....

[GT!]

Mine was replaced at 103,000 kms (approx. 63,000 miles) due to a vibration when easing off the gas at highway speeds. The problem was the driveshaft bearing, but they have to replace the whole thing. As a goodwill settlement, GM paid for the parts and I paid for labour ... whew

I have a 2003 with MT.

-GT

[sbuscha]

I have a 2003 as well. After it is replaced it does go away for several months and then seems to come back. I am not sure why it keeps happening. It is under warranty ntil 100K so I am fine and I always get an SRX, STS or something cool.

[FL01SS]

Originally Posted by GT!

The problem was the driveshaft bearing, but they have to replace the whole thing.
-GT

Are you talking about a carrier bearing? I can't believe they have to replace the entire driveshaft for that!!! I need to take a good look at mine before the warranty goes out!


On a side note, I just did a thurough inspection of my drivetrain yesterday when I had the car on the lift changing the oil, and saw these 2" rubber dampeners on each end of the drive shaft, which I'm guessing are there to reduce drivetrain vibrations. I've never seen that on a driveshaft before. The things they think of these days! I was curious though if these will deteriorate over time? Anyone had to have them replaced yet?

[2 Da Max]

mine was an 06 and it got relplaced at like 3k miles....

I believed the seal was bad and wasnt installed properly when i first got the car.

[GT!]

Originally Posted by FL01SS

Are you talking about a carrier bearing? I can't believe they have to replace the entire driveshaft for that!!! I need to take a good look at mine before the warranty goes out!


On a side note, I just did a thurough inspection of my drivetrain yesterday when I had the car on the lift changing the oil, and saw these 2" rubber dampeners on each end of the drive shaft, which I'm guessing are there to reduce drivetrain vibrations. I've never seen that on a driveshaft before. The things they think of these days! I was curious though if these will deteriorate over time? Anyone had to have them replaced yet?

Yes, it was the carrier bearing. When the tech called me to tell me the problem was the bearing he told me that unfortunately it is not sold separately and requires the whole driveshaft to be replaced (cost of driveshaft is just over $1500 Cdn).

-GT

[brian61]

Seem to be having the same problem here. 2006 CTS that I bought with 23,000 on it...Took it to the dealer because it sounded like I was driving a 4 wheel drive with snow tires on it. Dealer said it was the tires that were wearing incorrectly. I have some tires on order and will see if that was it, I dont think so...

[wait4me6920]

Keep a close eye on it - many owners, self included, have had differential problems. Symptoms most commonly are a moaning, rumbling or whining from the rear - often most noticeable at 30 - 50 mph under light or trailing throttle...

to the forum & good luck!

[mkboyd]

I have an 03 with MT, 102K miles.
The propeller shaft front mounting flange is shot. The symptoms are a vibration when not under load above about 30 mph. Under load, either accelerating or deceleration, no vibration (or very minor).

Dealer says you have to replace the whole drive shaft - $600 for parts. This just to replace a little rubber donut that should have been a u-joint in the first place.

This is the 6th repair on this car. I'll never buy another Cadillac.