Symptom Troubleshooting Chart - Driveline/Axle: Overview

DRIVELINE/AXLE SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Condition	Possible Cause	Action
Excessive Rear/Front Axle Noise	Rear/front axle.	PERFORM the NVH tests to determine whether the noise is an NVH concern caused by a condition in the rear/front axle. See AXLE NOISE ACCEPTABILITY .
	Wheel/axle shaft bearing.	Check or Inspect and, as necessary, Replace the bearings.
Loud Clunk in the Driveline When Shifting from Reverse to Forward	High idle speed.	CHECK for DTCs. See DTC INDEX - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) or FAST IDLE .
	Engine mounts.	Remove, INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary.
	Propeller shaft components.	See PROPELLER SHAFT STRUCTURAL VIEW .
	Rear axle shafts/differential.	See AXLE STRUCTURAL VIEW REAR (STANDARD) . See AXLE STRUCTURAL VIEW REAR (LIMITED SLIP) . INSPECT, REPAIR, or REPLACE as necessary.
	Suspension components.	INSPECT, REPAIR, or REPLACE as necessary.
	Backlash in the axle or the transmission.	See AXLE NOISE ACCEPTABILITY . PERFORM the total backlash check. See TOTAL BACKLASH CHECK . REPAIR or REPLACE as necessary.
	Lubrication.	Add lubricant as necessary.
Driveline Clunk as the Vehicle Starts to Move Following a Stop	Rear spring U-bolts.	Tighten the U-bolt. See LEAF SPRING REAR SUSPENSION REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
	Output propeller shaft and coupling shaft splines.	Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle. Clean the male splines and INSPECT for worn or galled splines. REPLACE if necessary. See PROPELLER SHAFT STRUCTURAL VIEW .
	Propeller shaft slip-yoke splines.	Clean and INSPECT the female splines of the propeller shaft slip-yoke for worn or galled condition. REPLACE if necessary. See PROPELLER SHAFT STRUCTURAL VIEW .
Rear Axle Has a High Pitched Chattering Noise While Turning	Lubricant. Differential.	Road test the vehicle. Drive in tight circles, 5 clockwise and 5 counterclockwise. If the chatter is still evident, Flush and Refill with the specified rear axle lubricant and dosage of friction modifier additive. See DRIVELINE/AXLE SPECIFICATIONS . REPAIR as necessary.
Traction-Lok Does Not Work in Snow, Mud or on Ice	Differential.	PERFORM Bench Torque Test. See LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL BENCH TORQUE TEST . REPAIR as necessary. See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (LIMITED SLIP) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
Clicking, Popping, or Grinding Noises While Turning	Inadequate or contaminated lubrication in the constant velocity (CV) joint. Another component contacting the drive axle shaft. Wheel bearings. Brake components. Suspension components. Steering components.	INSPECT, Clean and Lubricate as necessary. See DRIVESHAFT, FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary.
Vibration at Highway Speeds	Out-of-balance wheels or tires. Out-of-round tires. Improperly seated constant velocity (CV) joint in the front wheel hub.	Balance wheels or tires, REPLACE as necessary. See WHEEL AND TIRE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT . See DRIVE SHAFT, FRONT AXLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
Shudder, Vibration During Acceleration	High constant velocity (CV) joint operating angles caused by improper ride height. Constant velocity (CV) joint.	CHECK the ride height and Verify the proper spring rate. See DRIVELINE/AXLE SPECIFICATIONS . REPAIR as necessary. INSPECT and REPLACE as necessary. See DRIVESHAFT, FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
	Axle assembly mispositioned.	CHECK the axle mounts for damage and wear. REPAIR as necessary.
	Front suspension components.	CHECK for worn suspension bushings and damaged components. REPAIR as necessary. See SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS .
	Driveline angles out of specification.	CHECK the driveline angles. See DRIVELINE ANGLE and DRIVELINE/AXLE SPECIFICATIONS .
	Rear spring U-bolt.	Tighten the U-bolt. See LEAF SPRING REAR SUSPENSION REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
	Binding, damaged, or galled splines on propeller shaft slip-yoke.	CHECK the transmission for proper lubricant. Clean and lap the splines. Lubricate the splines with appropriate long-life grease or equivalent.
	U-joints binding or seized.	See PROPELLER SHAFT STRUCTURAL VIEW .
Driveline Vibration	U-joint.	INSPECT and REPLACE the universal joints as necessary. See PROPELLER SHAFT STRUCTURAL VIEW .
	Rear/front axle companion flange runout. Propeller shaft out of balance. Propeller shaft runout.	See DRIVELINE VIBRATION .
	Lateral and radial tire and wheel runout.	See SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - WHEELS AND TIRES .
	Driveline angles out of specification.	Correct as required. See DRIVELINE/AXLE SPECIFICATIONS .
	Splines on propeller shaft slip-yoke.	CHECK the transmission for proper lubricant. Clean and lap the splines. Lubricate the splines with appropriate long-life grease or equivalent.
	Loose companion flange bolts.	Tighten to specifications. See PROPELLER SHAFT STRUCTURAL VIEW .
Noise Is the Same on Drive or Coast	Road. Tire(s).	Normal condition. Balance or REPLACE the tire(s). See WHEEL AND TIRE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
	Wheel/axle shaft bearing.	CHECK or INSPECT and, as necessary, Adjust (if applicable) or REPLACE the bearings. See WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT -- 4X2 , WHEEL HUB (4X4) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION , DRIVESHAFT, FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
	Improper driveline angles.	Correct as required.
Lubricant Leaking from the Pinion Seal, Axle Shaft Oil Seals or Support Arm to the Housing	Vent. Damage in the seal contact area or dust slinger on the companion flange dust shield.	Clean the axle housing vent. REPLACE the companion flange and the pinion seal if damage is found. See COMPANION FLANGE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION or COMPANION FLANGE REAR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
Noise Tone Lowers as the Vehicle Speed Is Lowered	Tire(s).	Balance or REPLACE the tire(s). See WHEEL AND TIRE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT .
Similar Noise Is Produced with the Vehicle Standing and Driving	Engine. Transmission.	See ON - BOARD DIAGNOSTIC TESTS . See MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH DIAGNOSIS or SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - TRANSMISSION COOLING .
Noise Most Pronounced While Turning	Differential side gears and pinion gears.	REPLACE the gears. See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (STANDARD) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (LIMITED SLIP) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
Drive Noise, Coast Noise or Float Noise	Wheel/axle shaft bearings or differential side bearings.	CHECK or INSPECT and, as necessary, Adjust (if applicable) or REPLACE the bearings. See WHEEL HUB (4X4) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . See DRIVESHAFT, FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (STANDARD) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (LIMITED SLIP) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
		CHECK the ring gear and pinion. Adjust or REPLACE. See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (STANDARD) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (LIMITED SLIP) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
Differential side gears/pinion gears are scored	Insufficient lubrication. Incorrect or contaminated lubricant type.	REPLACE the gears. See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (STANDARD) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (LIMITED SLIP) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DIFFERENTIAL CASE FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
Axle overheating	Lubricant level too low. Incorrect or contaminated lubricant type.	CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification. INSPECT the axle for damage. REPAIR as necessary. CLEAN and REFILL the axle to specification.
	Bearing preload adjusted too tight.	CHECK the ring and pinion for damage. INSPECT the ring and pinion wear pattern. ADJUST the preload as necessary.
	Excessive gear wear.	INSPECT all the axle gears for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Incorrect ring gear backlash.	INSPECT the ring gear for scoring. INSPECT the ring and pinion wear pattern. ADJUST the ring gear backlash as necessary.
Broken gear teeth on the ring gear or pinion	Overloading the vehicle.	INSTALL a new ring and pinion. See AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY or DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (STANDARD) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY or DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR REAR (LIMITED SLIP) DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
Axle shaft broken	Overloaded vehicle. Misaligned axle shaft tube.	INSTALL a new axle shaft. See AXLE SHAFT REAR (STANDARD) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION or AXLE REAR (LIMITED SLIP) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . INSPECT the axle for damage. CHECK axle shaft tube alignment. INSTALL a new axle shaft. See AXLE SHAFT REAR (STANDARD) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
Front Axle Will Not Engage	Switches. Wiring. 4x4 shift motor. Transfer case. 4X4 module.	See TRANSFER CASE ELECTRONIC SHIFT ON - BOARD DIAGNOSIS .
Front Axle Will Not Disengage	Switches. Wiring. 4x4 shift motor. Transfer case. 4X4 module.	See TRANSFER CASE ELECTRONIC SHIFT ON - BOARD DIAGNOSIS .
No communication with the four wheel 4X4 control module	4X4 control module. Smart junction box (SJB). SJB fuse: 21 (5A). 28(15). Circuitry.	See TRANSFER CASE ELECTRONIC SHIFT PINPOINT TEST 2: NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE 4WD CONTROL MODULE .
The Vehicle Does Not Shift Between 2WD and 4X4 modes correctly	Battery junction box (BJB) fuse 13 (20A). 4X4 switch. Contact plate A, B, C, or D. Gearmotor encoder assembly. 4X4 control module. Transfer case mechanism. Circuitry.	See TRANSFER CASE ELECTRONIC SHIFT PINPOINT TEST 3: VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT BETWEEN 2WD AND 4WD MODES CORRECTLY .
The vehicle does not shift between 4X4 HIGH and 4X4 LOW modes correctly	BJB fuse 13 (20 A). 4X4 switch. Neutral safety switch. Brake pedal position (BPP) switch. 4X4 control module. Transfer case. Digital transmission range (TR) sensor. Circuitry.	See TRANSFER CASE ELECTRONIC SHIFT PINPOINT TEST 4: VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT BETWEEN 4WD HIGH AND 4WD LOW MODES CORRECTLY .
The 4X4 HIGH indicator is always on - 4X4 system operates correctly	Circuitry. Instrument cluster. 4X4 control module.	See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PINPOINT TEST 19: 4X4 HIGH AND 4X4 LOW INDICATOR IS NEVER ON .
The 4X4 LOW indicator is always on.	Powertrain control module (PCM). Circuitry. Instrument cluster. 4X4 control module.	See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PINPOINT TEST 19: 4X4 HIGH AND 4X4 LOW INDICATOR IS NEVER ON .