- Joined
- Dec 7, 2012
- Messages
- 3,566
The past week and a half, I have done a fair amount of work on the 2005 GMT800 Suburban 1500 in our fleet, daily driven by my wife. Your typical flex-fuel 5.3 L59 with 230k on the clock.
Last Wednesday, I pulled the front driveshaft, removed the encoder motor and took it apart. My goal was to install a new encoder motor position sensor ring. The truck had been going into 4HI or Auto 4WD by itself every other run cycle. Replacing this ring fixed that.
While the front drive shaft was out, I inspected the U-Joints. Both of which are still the original sealed, OE Spicer U-Joints. Both were in excellent shape and went back into service. Also changed the oil while under there. Out went some Rotella Gas Truck 5W-30 and a WIX 51042. In went some Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 and a WIX 51522.
So the noise... I had been hearing a noise from the truck that sounded like U-Joints. I figured it'd probably need one by now, and also figured that inspecting them while doing the transfer case work would be a good time. Front ones were fine, so I took a look at the rear shaft. Put a bar in each joint and they were both great. I then pulled the shaft out and inspected both. The rear U-Joints -- 1 is OE original the other had been replaced. Both of which looked great.
So this noise would sound like a "tink tink tink" and I'd only hear it when my wife is backing out of coming home. So my mind went to drivetrain, or items that spin when moving.
Pulled the front wheels off, peeled the brakes off and inspected the wheel bearings. I knew the passenger front was starting to make some noise. The driver front had a smidge of play. So I replaced both front wheel bearings surely figuring that was my noise. Button the whole truck up, take it for a shakedown -- still hear the noise. This time I hear the noise while the truck is accelerating in a straight line, like a screeching almost RPM dependent noise.
So I pull both serpentine belts off and check all pulleys. Nada, all is good. I focus again on the front end and look at the axles. I find one axle has a tear in the boot. No problem, throw an axle at it. Go for another shakedown, same noise. Same screech. Although I didn't really think this is axle related. We get home from the shakedown, I have my wife pull in, then slowly backup. While firmly on the brakes and completely stopped, I hear the noise "tink tink tink tink tink" for about 10 seconds. Now I'm thinking, flex plate is cracked or loose torque converter bolts.
I order on Amazon a new GM flex plate, a new Bosch starter for a 6.0 LSx (starter for a 6.0 Escalade) and wait for it to show up. I figured either the torque converter bolts are loose or the flex plate is cracked. Wanted to have parts on hand. Also figured if I'm pulling the trans. to put this in, I might as well put a new and better starter in. 6.0 starters interchange on 5.3 and 4.8s and sound a million times healthier.
I pull the inspection cover, starter and dust shield from the motor. I can't see anything at all, all looks good. I put my wife at the crank with a big ratchet and a socket and have her spin the motor over. Keep looking -- all looks great. Double check every torque converter bolt, all looks good.
THEN I FOUND IT.
The starter, look at this video. The bendix comes out whenever it wants.
I put the new Bosch 6.0 starter in, we go for a drive and alas, the noise is gone. This has been my noise. When accelerating, I'd bet the gear came out and was spinning with the flex plate and being that it's just a metal gear on a metal shaft, that was the screeching. When I heard the "tink tink tink" in my drive way, it was touching teeth on the flex plate enough to make noise.
The new Bosch 6.0 starter sounds 100% more confident. We went for a long drive, stopped by a local tavern, and celebrated mechanical victory with some fine beef on weck, wings and a few beers.
My wife is happy to have her truck back and I am happy to have figured out what was going on.
Good evening all.
Last Wednesday, I pulled the front driveshaft, removed the encoder motor and took it apart. My goal was to install a new encoder motor position sensor ring. The truck had been going into 4HI or Auto 4WD by itself every other run cycle. Replacing this ring fixed that.
While the front drive shaft was out, I inspected the U-Joints. Both of which are still the original sealed, OE Spicer U-Joints. Both were in excellent shape and went back into service. Also changed the oil while under there. Out went some Rotella Gas Truck 5W-30 and a WIX 51042. In went some Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 and a WIX 51522.
So the noise... I had been hearing a noise from the truck that sounded like U-Joints. I figured it'd probably need one by now, and also figured that inspecting them while doing the transfer case work would be a good time. Front ones were fine, so I took a look at the rear shaft. Put a bar in each joint and they were both great. I then pulled the shaft out and inspected both. The rear U-Joints -- 1 is OE original the other had been replaced. Both of which looked great.
So this noise would sound like a "tink tink tink" and I'd only hear it when my wife is backing out of coming home. So my mind went to drivetrain, or items that spin when moving.
Pulled the front wheels off, peeled the brakes off and inspected the wheel bearings. I knew the passenger front was starting to make some noise. The driver front had a smidge of play. So I replaced both front wheel bearings surely figuring that was my noise. Button the whole truck up, take it for a shakedown -- still hear the noise. This time I hear the noise while the truck is accelerating in a straight line, like a screeching almost RPM dependent noise.
So I pull both serpentine belts off and check all pulleys. Nada, all is good. I focus again on the front end and look at the axles. I find one axle has a tear in the boot. No problem, throw an axle at it. Go for another shakedown, same noise. Same screech. Although I didn't really think this is axle related. We get home from the shakedown, I have my wife pull in, then slowly backup. While firmly on the brakes and completely stopped, I hear the noise "tink tink tink tink tink" for about 10 seconds. Now I'm thinking, flex plate is cracked or loose torque converter bolts.
I order on Amazon a new GM flex plate, a new Bosch starter for a 6.0 LSx (starter for a 6.0 Escalade) and wait for it to show up. I figured either the torque converter bolts are loose or the flex plate is cracked. Wanted to have parts on hand. Also figured if I'm pulling the trans. to put this in, I might as well put a new and better starter in. 6.0 starters interchange on 5.3 and 4.8s and sound a million times healthier.
I pull the inspection cover, starter and dust shield from the motor. I can't see anything at all, all looks good. I put my wife at the crank with a big ratchet and a socket and have her spin the motor over. Keep looking -- all looks great. Double check every torque converter bolt, all looks good.
THEN I FOUND IT.
The starter, look at this video. The bendix comes out whenever it wants.
I put the new Bosch 6.0 starter in, we go for a drive and alas, the noise is gone. This has been my noise. When accelerating, I'd bet the gear came out and was spinning with the flex plate and being that it's just a metal gear on a metal shaft, that was the screeching. When I heard the "tink tink tink" in my drive way, it was touching teeth on the flex plate enough to make noise.
The new Bosch 6.0 starter sounds 100% more confident. We went for a long drive, stopped by a local tavern, and celebrated mechanical victory with some fine beef on weck, wings and a few beers.
My wife is happy to have her truck back and I am happy to have figured out what was going on.
Good evening all.
