2005 Tahoe 4WD - Help! Bad Shake from 0-45 mph

[Jzona]

I’ve been having a really shaky ride from 0–45 mph, but it goes away around 50 mph. I took it to a sketchy shop after doing a full front-end suspension refresh (control arms, tie rods, etc.), and I think I got a bad alignment.

• The toe looks pointed out on both sides.
• Caster looks tilted inward (top of the wheel angled in).

It just snowed here, so I put it in 4x4, and that’s when I noticed more issues:

• When coasting to a stop in 4WD, I hear a loud groan/moan noise.
• While turning slightly at about 30 mph, there’s binding and grinding—almost like bad CV axles.
• I pulled both CVs and they look fine visually.

The front diff is leaking on the driver side axle seal. I refilled the diff fluid a few weeks ago and saw a decent amount of metal shavings.
(Could I possibly be a bad bearing by the outer seal?)



I can’t attach videos here, but I grabbed a screenshot of the front driveshaft. There’s no play at the transfer case, but I do feel a clunk if I push the driveshaft up/down or twist it.



Any tips would really help — this is my daily winter vehicle, and I’m trying to avoid dumping more money

 

[Jzona]

Here’s a video :

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

It looks to me like you need to replace the front differential. Used ones are common and fairly cheap.

 

[6speedblazer]

Carrier bearings in the front diff are known to go bad. really, it's the adjuster lock tabs letting the adjusters walk and then bearing preload changes.

I've rebuilt a bunch of these front diffs that had WAY worse metal on the magnets only to find rollers on the carrier bearings pitted.

these trucks are also known for transferase chain stretch that can rub thru the case. I would do a drain and fill on the t-case and check the status of the case.