What am I looking at? U joint or diff seal content

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strad

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Investigating because I feel a vibration almost like wheel balance issue intermittently at 70 mph or so. I checked the u joints for axial play and I cannot feel any. There is no grease on the outside of the u joint, and there is no fluid coming from the diff seal. Yet there is grease on the side of the gas tank in line with the u joint or front diff seal. I tried to upload a pic but it's not working. It is a good amount of greasy residue up and down the side of the gas tank. Edit. It is a 99 Tahoe 4x4. Also should mention that I recently had tires rotated and balanced as per my warranty at Costco. I don't think it affected the feel.
 
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strad

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What is the lifespan of those things? I ask because I bought the truck four years ago with 114k miles and it has 175k on it now. I have records since 2004 and I don't remember seeing anything about u joints. I'm very gentle with the drivetrain usually . . . Edit. Records since 2001. No mention of u joints. No clunking going into gear or anything like that. Just the vibes. And those are not consistent. I almost think it might be the road. Almost.
 
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domer94

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i have a similar vibration in the 99 suburban at 60-64mph. feels like a rumble of sorts. does this sound like universal? or could it be a support bearing?
 

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