Final drive chatter/grind

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Erik Blazer, Sep 28, 2020.

  1. Erik Blazer

    Erik Blazer Light Load Member

    79
    23
    Aug 7, 2015
    Oklahoma City, OK
    0
    Good day everyone, I seem to be having an issue with something in my drive line.

    Truck info: 450,500 miles
    Truck: 10' Mack CH613
    Motor: MP8 (500 ponies)
    Trans: Eaton 13sp (Model: RTLO-16913A)
    Not sure on rear ends other then they are both Mack's
    We bought the truck about 35k miles ago. Not sure on prior history.

    The issue starts in 7H, but once I grab the final hole (8L and 8H) respectfully 11-13 gears.
    It is inconsistent, meaning the noise comes and goes. It's like a rattle/grind/chatter/rumble. (I know that's alot of descriptive words, just trying my best to paint the picture) the sound becomes more prevalent as I accelerate, and will come back if I let off. I have had tires balanced and drive line has been greased every other week to every 3 weeks depending on how hard we run. The noise reminds me of when the drive shaft is out of alignment, however the noise is only in the mentioned gears and at all rpm range. U-joints and carrier bearing are all good. However, when inspecting the driveshaft we found it has about 3/4 to 1" of play rotating from center.

    I hope with the information provided, maybe someone could help me pin down where the issue is. I'd prefer not to run it till it blows but I don't really have much of an option as a shop isn't possible at the current moment.
    Thank you
     
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  3. project359

    project359 Bobtail Member

    31
    9
    Oct 21, 2019
    Spotswood,NJ
    0

    Could be a bearing on the main shaft in the trans . Drain the trans and see if you get any chunks or metal on the plug .
     
  4. Erik Blazer

    Erik Blazer Light Load Member

    79
    23
    Aug 7, 2015
    Oklahoma City, OK
    0
    Will do that when we drag her back home for a service, currently stuck on the job till it's done. Had the mechanic for the contractor listen to it, he made mention of the splitter on 8 could be junk since it sounds like the same noise as when you split and the truck doesn't grab the split and grinds. To me I'm kinda skeptical of the splitter since it does it while in gear.

    Now, the biggest question I have, in the event of a bearing failure, it won't lock up at highway speeds will/could it?
     
  5. Erik Blazer

    Erik Blazer Light Load Member

    79
    23
    Aug 7, 2015
    Oklahoma City, OK
    0
    Finally got the truck to a mechanic, crazy enough. Clutch disc had next to nothing left on it. That was what was chattering. Crazy, never would of thought about the clutch.
     
  6. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,017
    5,395
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    Glad it was the clutch, much cheaper than an internal trans problem. Make sure you get the rear main seal replaced while the trans is out
     
    Erik Blazer Thanks this.
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