[dingbat]

I have just returned from the dealer and I think we have solved the "tink" problem. They figured this out on on of the Trailblazers and so far it got rid of the tink on mine!!!
On the rear of the driveshaft when it gets shipped there is a strap of metal that is put in to keep the u-joint cups from falling apart. This strap was left on when the new driveshaft was installed. When it is in place it hits on the center of the u-joint when there is movement. Removal of the strap has stopped the problem, at least for now. Hopefully it will be a permanent fix.
This would also be the reason why some of the replacements would tink and some wouldn't.
I'm attaching pics. The first is a shot of the u-joint with the strap still in. The second is the strap. The third is of the u-joint with the strap removed, The bolts still have to be tightened.

 

[REBEL]

wow

How can this be over looked by trained pros! ... (whats the torque setting on the bolts in picture 3 ) I do hope thats all it will take to fix your prob for gooood.

 

[comley]

hurrah

I have just returned from the dealer and I think we have solved the "tink" problem. They figured this out on on of the Trailblazers and so far it got rid of the tink on mine!!!
On the rear of the driveshaft when it gets shipped there is a strap of metal that is put in to keep the u-joint cups from falling apart. This strap was left on when the new driveshaft was installed. When it is in place it hits on the center of the u-joint when there is movement. Removal of the strap has stopped the problem, at least for now. Hopefully it will be a permanent fix.
This would also be the reason why some of the replacements would tink and some wouldn't.
I'm attaching pics. The first is a shot of the u-joint with the strap still in. The second is the strap. The third is of the u-joint with the strap removed, The bolts still have to be tightened.

I'll have to check mine when I get home from work today. I've had the tink all along but haven't worried about it too much as long as it's still under warranty. Thanks for the info. :flag :thumbs

 

[SA13355]

Torque

What Rebel said......torque setting for reinstall? Please :seeya

 

[dingbat]

I figured Rebel was kidding around because they weren't tightened in the pic. I do not know the torque specs for those bolts. I've always used the feel of the fingers for tightening. The mechanic at the dealer did the work. Its a simple job just about anyone could do. Take off the two clamps holding the u-joint. You don't have to drop the shaft. Pry out the strap. Replace the clamps. 5 min job.

I have been studying the pics I took and personally I have no idea how that little strap of metal would cause the problem. One of the mechanics actually was laying on the ground as another backed up a Trailblazer over him so he could track down the sound. They have tried it on several Trailblazers so far and none have come back.

I would be curious. Those of you that had the shaft replaced. Do the ones with a tink still have that strap???? Did the ones without the tink have it removed????

 

[ricardo]

Man first the solving of Deep Throat and now this. I'm gonna run out and buy a lotto ticket.

You may have saved alot of people grief! :angel

 

[beer100]

I'm Strapped

This is on a replaced driveshaft. I checked here is the proof.
Bolt Torque should be 20N-m or 15 lb-ft.
Note: there is absolutly no mention of this strap in the service manual. Not in the text or the diagrams.

 

[beer100]

As I mentioned in the photo post, there is absolutly no mention of this strap in the Service manual. Not in the text, or the images.

dingbat, Were the strap tabs under the clamps? If so it would cause the clamp to seat improperly. With less than full contact. There would be room for the U-joint's caps to wobble in the grip of the clamps. The joint would be tight and only give with a sharp crack. That would be amplified by the drive line.

Also: The bolts would not seat correctly causing abnormal stress on the bolt head.

 

[dingbat]

beer-
Is yours tinking???
If it is see if the tink stops when you remove the strap.
The clamps had to be removed to remove the strap. They were holding it in place. The mechanic just pried it out with a screwdriver.

 

[dingbat]

OK heres another question....
Anyone who has the original driveshaft that is Tinking and has not had it replaced???????? Can you check if the original factory shaft still has the strap on it???????

thanks

mike

 

[beer100]

I didn't say did I? Yes my drive shaft tinks. After it was replaced the noise disappeared for a short time. Little by little it returned. That's consistant with the improper seating.

I really think you've found the solution! :thumbs

I'm wondering if JimG's truck still has the strap.

 

[perinati]

2005 auto. Just checked I'm straped. Yea and it looks like u-bolts don't really fit that good with strap on there.




Paul Perinati
Placerville, California

 

[beer100]

I have just returned from the dealer and I think we have solved the "tink" problem. They figured this out on on of the Trailblazers and so far it got rid of the tink on mine!!!
On the rear of the driveshaft when it gets shipped there is a strap of metal that is put in to keep the u-joint cups from falling apart. This strap was left on when the new driveshaft was installed. When it is in place it hits on the center of the u-joint when there is movement. Removal of the strap has stopped the problem, at least for now. Hopefully it will be a permanent fix.
This would also be the reason why some of the replacements would tink and some wouldn't.
I'm attaching pics. The first is a shot of the u-joint with the strap still in. The second is the strap. The third is of the u-joint with the strap removed, The bolts still have to be tightened.

This may be premature but,
Folks, Is there any way to nominate this particular Mr Goodwrench for a bonus from GM.

 

[wingrider]

I have in the past replaced u-joints on aluminum driveshaft for the tink noise on trailblazers,silverodos and ssr's and the niose was still there, so the strap has no bearing on the noise. the strap is there to keep the caps in place and it doesn't need to be removed. I have the third design driveshaft in mine and the noise hasn't returned. If your truck is still under warranty just have another shaft installed. If your dealer doesn't know anything about a new design drivesahft here is the bulletin # PIP3420 or they can use the document # 1656173.I wish I could help more of you with dealer problems but unless you want to come to Michigan, and I guess that won't work, even though I do have some customers that travel a little over 100 miles for me to work on there vehicles. :seeya

 

[crazyrtr53]

What A Shame!!

Whats up GM it sounds like you only have 1 in 20 dealerships that have well trained techs that know how to work on our trucks :confused Thats pretty sad :skep

 

[topjimmy]

Wingrider is correct. I just crawled out from under my 05 6 speed no strap. damn thing tinks like crazy. 6 speed seems real bad, has anyone driven both to give opinion on which is worse. I would think 6 speed becouse of clutch and on off gas.

 

[wingrider]

While I do know of dealers that are afraid to work on the ssr I just don't understand because other than the top, the ssr is really nothing more than a two wheel drive trailblazer, and as for the top it really isn't that hard to work on. I think it just scares techs because it is new and it is easier to work on what they know. As with anything new there is a learnig curve and most tech don't want to take the time to learn as we lose money but only at first, once you get trained you can make money. This is why I have a small but loyal ssr customers come to me for service, I call it job security.

 

[wingrider]

Topjimmy That bulletin I listed is also applies to the 6sp trans

 

[mikepowell]

it's time to give tinkerbell the boot!

back to the dealer :flag

 

[hpdjv]

Driveshaft tinking - remove strap

OK heres another question....
Anyone who has the original driveshaft that is Tinking and has not had it replaced???????? Can you check if the original factory shaft still has the strap on it???????

thanks

mike

My SSR is an 04 and like most was tink free for the first 500 miles or so and it's been getting progressivly worse. Currently has 2,300 miles. My original driveshaft has/had the strap which I just removed and the tink(s) are still there. Apparently it's not the fix for all of the SSR's. I was really excited and hopeful but it didn't work for mine. :cry