Diagnosing Second-Order Driveline Vibration. GMC Truck GMC K Pickup

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 1999 🢒 GMC K Pickup - 4WD 🢒 General Information 🢒 Vibration Diagnosis and Correction 🢒 Diagnosing Second-Order Driveline Vibration

Second-Order Driveline Vibration Theory

A faulty universal joint (U-joint) may cause a vibration that occurs twice for each rotation of the propeller shaft. This type of vibration is called a second-order vibration.

Second-order driveline vibrations are independent of runout or balance of a driveline component.

The following description of basic U-joint theory will help you to understand where second-order driveline vibrations originate and why they occur.

•	As the propeller shaft rotates, the U-Joint speed up and slow down twice for each rotation of the propeller shaft.

•	The acceleration and deceleration of the U-Joint is not visible. If there is vibration in the U-Joint, the acceleration and deceleration will be audible and tactile.

•	Compare the U-joint in a vehicle to a universal-type socket. When a universal-type socket is used to tighten a bolt, the socket will bind and release as the socket turns toward 90 degrees. The bind and release occurs twice for each revolution of the socket.

•	The U-joint in a vehicle works in the same way as the universal-type socket. The bind and release effect is directly proportional to the angle that the U-joint operates: the greater the angle, the greater the effect.

•	Because the transmission output speed is constant, the binding and releasing of the U-Joint is better described as an acceleration and deceleration which occurs twice for each revolution of the propeller shaft.

•	If the propeller shaft is running slowly, the accelerating and decelerating effect is visible. The acceleration and deceleration may create a vibration due to the fluctuations in force that are generated at high speeds.

Canceled Out Driveline Angles


(1)	Front Working Angle
(2)	Rear Working Angle

Engineers design drivelines in order to compensate for the accelerations and decelerations in order to produce a smooth, constant flow of power, as listed below:

•	The transmission drives the front yoke of the propeller shaft at a smooth and constant speed.

•	The first U-joint causes the power to fluctuate twice for each revolution of the propeller shaft.

•	The second U-joint, oriented 90 degrees from the first U-joint, causes the power to fluctuate opposite that of the first U-joint.

•	As the first U-joint slows down, the second U-joint speeds up.

This design causes 1 U-joint to cancel out the effect of the other U-joint. The cancelled effects result in a smooth, constant power flow from the output yoke of the propeller shaft.

Second-order driveline vibrations occur when the cancellation becomes unequal between the front U-joint and the rear U-Joint.

The main objective of this section is to correct the conditions that interfere with the proper cancellation effect of the U-Joint. The most common condition, especially where the launch shudder is concerned, is incorrect driveline working angles. Other factors may aggravate the condition.

Address the following factors before you attempt to measure or correct the driveline working angles:

•	Worn, failed, damaged or improperly installed U-Joint

•	Worn, collapsed, or improper powertrain mounts

•	Incorrect vehicle trim height adjustment for the front suspension which aggravates the launch shudder

•	Incorrect trim height adjustment for the rear suspension

•	Trim height inspection includes trim heights that are too low or too high. The following vehicles fit into this category:

-	Vehicles equipped with aftermarket lift kits

-	Vehicles constantly loaded with cargo

-	Custom conversion vans

On rear drive vehicles, the pinion nose tilts upward as you lower the rear trim height.

If a second-order driveline vibration exists after you correct these conditions, measure and correct the driveline angles.

If the complaint is present only with cargo in the vehicle, perform the measurements with the vehicle fully loaded. Once you correct a second-order driveline vibration with the vehicle loaded, the vibration may reappear with the vehicle unloaded. The reverse of this condition is also true. You may have to reach a compromise with the customer in this case.

Second-Order Driveline Vibration Symptoms

Second-Order driveline vibration has the following signs and symptoms:

•	The vibration is always related to vehicle speed.

•	The vibration is usually torque-sensitive.

•	The vibration is worse under a torque load.

Launch shudder is the most common complaint of a second-order driveline vibration.

Launch shudder occurs during acceleration from 0-40 km/h (0-25 mph). Launch shudder appears as a low frequency shake, wobble, or shudder. The driver may feel the vibrations in the seat or steering wheel at low speeds of 0-24 km/h (0-15 mph). The vibrations will increase in frequency as the vehicle speed increases. Launch shudder feels more like driveline roughness at higher speeds of 24-40 km/h (15-25 mph). At speeds greater than 40 km/h (25 mph) the vibration usually disappears.

Launch shudder vibration is equal to a second-order vibration of the driveline. The EVA will not perceive frequency information due to the transitory nature of launch shudder.

Driveline Working Angles

Tools Required

•	J 38460 Digital Inclinometer

•	J 23498-A Driveshaft Inclinometer

•	J 23498-20 Driveshaft Inclinometer Adapter

Driveline working angle does not refer to the angle of any 1 shaft, but to the angle that is formed by the intersection of 2 shafts.

The procedure for measuring and correcting driveline working angles depends on whether the vehicle is equipped with a propeller shaft consisting of 1 piece, 2 pieces, or 3 pieces.

In order to verify the accuracy of the adapter, inspect the angle of an accessible joint with the inclinometer prior to assigning the adapter on an inaccessible joint.

One-Piece Prop Shaft System

Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist or on safety stands. Ensure that the rear axle is supported at curb height and that the wheels are free to spin. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. Place the transmission in NEUTRAL. Ensure that the vehicle has a full tank of fuel or the equivalent amount of weight in the rear to simulate a full tank. The weight of 3.8 liters of gasoline (1 gallon) is approximately 2.8 kg (6.2 lb).

Checking Phasing of U-Joint

Inspect the propeller shaft for correct phasing. Correct phasing means that the front and the rear U-Joint are directly in line or parallel with each other so that proper cancellation takes place.

Rotate the propeller shaft so that the propeller shaft rear U-joint bearing cap is vertical.

Ensure that the front bearing cap is also vertical.
Place the inclinometer on the propeller shaft rear U-joint bearing cap in order to ensure that both U-joints are vertical.
Set the indicator line above the sight glass on 15 (the horizontal reference). Rotate the propeller shaft until the bubble centers in the sight glass. This action brings the rear U-joint to vertical.
Remove the inclinometer without disturbing the setting. Leave the setting on 15.
Install the inclinometer on the front U-joint. The bubble should remain centered plus or minus 3 degrees if the shaft is properly phased.

The out of phasing of the single-piece propeller shaft is very unusual. If the shaft is visibly out of place, the end yokes are welded on in the wrong position or the shaft is damaged due to twisting. In either case, replace the propeller shaft before continuing with this procedure.

Measuring the Working Angles

The working angle of a U-joint is the difference between the angles formed when 2 shafts intersect. One piece propeller shaft systems have 2 working angles, the front and the rear.

•	The 2 working angles should be equal within ½ of a degree.

•	The working angles should not exceed 4 degrees.

•	The working angles should not be equal to 0 because a 0 working angle will cause premature U-joint wear due to lack of rotation of the U-Joint.

Canceled Out Driveline Angles


(1)	Front Working Angle
(2)	Rear Working Angle

•	The angle formed by the propeller shaft and the rear axle pinion form the rear working angle.

•	The angle formed by the propeller shaft and the transmission output shaft form the front working angle.

The angles of these components are most accurately measured from the U-joint bearing caps. Verify that the bearing caps are free of corrosion or foreign material in order to ensure accurate readings. Remove any snap rings that may interfere with the correct placement of the inclinometer. Reinstall the snap rings after you take the measurements.

Take the measurements from the same side of the propeller shaft in order to maintain consistent angle measurements (either on the driver side or on the passenger side).

Record the readings on a diagram like the one shown as you proceed through the measurements.

Evaluation

The 2 working angles in a one-piece propeller shaft system should be equal to within ½ of a degree for effective cancellation.

Measuring Two-Piece Propeller Shaft System Working Angles

Two-piece propeller shaft systems have 3 working angles instead of 2 working angles as in the 1-piece systems.


(1)	Transmission Output
(2)	Front Propshaft
(3)	Center Support
(4)	Rear Propshaft
(5)	Rear Axle Input Yoke
(6)	Rear Working Angle
(7)	Middle Working Angle
(8)	Front Working Angle (Odd Joint)

•	The first angle is the front working angle. It is formed by the angle of the output shaft of the transmission and the angle of the front propeller shaft.

•	The second angle is the middle working angle. It is formed by the angle of the front propeller shaft and the angle of the rear propeller shaft.

•	The third angle is the rear working angle. It is formed by the angle of the rear propeller shaft and the angle of the pinion yoke of the rear axle.

If the launch shudder or the second-order driveline vibration is still present, measure and correct the driveline angles.

Measuring Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Working Angles

This procedure is essentially the same as for the one-piece propeller shafts. You must, however, take into account the third angle.

Place the inclinometer on the propeller shaft bearing cap.

Center the bubble in the sight glass.
Record the measurement. The bearing cap must be straight up and down in order to obtain an accurate measurement.
Enter the measurements on your diagram.
Rotate the propeller shaft 90 degrees and place the inclinometer on the transmission output yoke bearing cap. The bearing cap must be straight up and down in order to obtain an accurate measurement.
Center the bubble in the sight glass.
Record the measurement.
Subtract the smaller reading from the larger reading in order to obtain the front U-joint working angle.

The front angle is considered the odd U-joint because this angle does not have another joint to provide cancellation. The rear working angle and the middle working angle act as a pair of U-joints in order to cancel each other out, as in the 1-piece propeller shaft systems. Because of this condition, keep the working angle of the odd U-joint at or under ½ of a degree.


(1)	Transmission Output
(2)	Front Propshaft
(3)	Center Support
(4)	Rear Propshaft
(5)	Rear Axle Input Yoke
(6)	Rear Working Angle
(7)	Middle Working Angle
(8)	Front Working Angle (Odd Joint)

Keep the working angle of this odd joint to a minimum so that there are not any great fluctuations in speed that need to be canceled out. The front joint is used as the odd joint because the front joint angle does not change with suspension bounce, rebound, or axle windup. For this reason, think of the front propeller shaft of a two-piece system as an extension of the transmission output shaft.

Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Phasing

The setup and measurement techniques are identical to that of a the one-piece propeller shaft system. First, check for proper phasing, using the following procedure:

Turn the rear propeller shaft so that the rear U-joint is straight up and down. Verify that the front U-joint of the rear propeller shaft is also straight up and down.
Rotate the shafts 90 degrees so that the front propeller shaft front U-joint is straight up and down. Ensure that the front propeller shaft is also straight up and down (actually part of the slip yoke on the rear shaft).

If the 2 U-joint of the front propeller shaft are not in this phase, the 2 halves of the propeller shaft may have been assembled incorrectly.

Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Lateral Alignment

The procedure for lateral alignment of a two-piece propeller shaft is used for launch shudder or any second-order driveline vibrations. Adjust the lateral alignment before you measure and adjust the driveline angles.

Raise and suitably support the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Look down the front of the propeller shaft.


(1)	Rear Axle
(2)	Center Bearing (Relocate the center bearing in order to make the propshaft a straight as possible)
(3)	Propshaft
(4)	Engine

If the propeller shaft is not straight, or if the center bearing support is off to one side, relocate the center support bearing in order to make the propeller shaft assembly as straight as possible. Ensure that you do not create a ground-out condition against the exhaust or another component.

Evaluation

The working angle is within tolerance, following the rule that the working angle of an odd joint in a two-piece joint system is ½ degree or less. Notice that in each of the good examples the front working angle (FWA) is ½ degree or less and is treated as a separate joint. The middle working angle (MWA) and the rear working angle (RWA) are subtracted. The difference (DIFF) is ½ degree or less. The middle and the rear joints may cancel each other.

Correcting Working Angles

In order to change the working angles, shim the components up or down. Look closely at the existing angles. Use the existing angles and the shims in order to achieve the correct working angles.

Compared to horizontal or true level, the components located at the rear of the vehicle are usually lower than the components located at the front of the vehicle. This condition is called down in the rear. If a component with a down in the rear angle is shimmed up at the rear, the shim will bring the component closer to the horizontal (zero). Alternately, if a component with a down in the rear angle is shimmed down, the component will move farther from the horizontal (zero).

Rear Axle Wind-Up

Rear axle wind-up may cause launch shudder even when all of the working angles are within specifications. Rear axle wind-up occurs when heavy torque during acceleration causes the pinion nose to point upward. In order to compensate for axle wind-up, tip the pinion nose downward. Install the axle shims incrementally, performing a road test after each shim. Add shims until the road test indicates that the shudder is eliminated.

Rear Axle Shims

Wedge shims of different sizes are available through the parts' system and independent suppliers for the purpose of shimming the rear axle angle. Wedge shims are available in 2, 3, and 4 degrees.


(1)	Axle Tube
(2)	Upper Plate
(3)	Spring
(4)	Lower Plate
(5)	Shim
(6)	Button

Caution: Never attempt to shim a rear axle using anything except shims that are designed for this purpose. Failure to do so will result in the shims falling out and a loss of vehicle control and that could cause personal injury.

Install the shims in order to increase or decrease the angle of the rear axle pinion. Install the shims between the leaf spring and the spring seat. Depending on the design of the suspension (leaf spring on top or underneath the axle), and the direction of the desired change, install the shims with either the thick side toward the front of the vehicle or toward the rear of the vehicle.

Important: After installing the shims, ensure that the U-bolt has 2 or 3 threads above the nut. Ensure also that the center bolt, located in the spring seat, is long enough to seat in the locator hole. If these 2 conditions do not exist, use longer U-bolts and center bolts. Longer U-bolts and center bolts are available through local spring shops.

Transmission Shims

If a transmission requires shims, order the shims through the parts distribution system.

Installing most shims will change the transmission angle approximately ½ degree.

When shimming transmissions, use a shim made from steel stock at the necessary thickness. Ensure that the shim contacts the full width of the area to be shimmed. Do not use washers.