What's up guys, newbie here and so far I am glad I came across your site. Here's my problem. I have a 99 Silverado ext cab 2WD with the 5.3L. I have had the truck for about 9 years now. I just started driving it again after it sitting in my garage for about 4 years. The problem I am having is I am getting some vibration when driving. It feels like its coming from the rear end or somewhere underneath. It tends to happen more when I am taking off from a stop and sometimes the trans seems to want to hesitate when I gradually step on the gas. I also sometimes here like a pinging noise when driving. Almost like two peices of metal slightly hitting each other. Not sure what it could be. Also I went to Home depot the other day to pick up some bags of topsoil. I had about 10 bags at 40lbs a piece back there. When I started driving the vibraton got really bad. It felt like the whole truck was shaking. Whatever the problem is it seems to get worse when there is weight in the bed. I would greatly appreciate any feedback and thanks for the help!

 

vibration probably is a bad ujoint.
pinging noise could be piston slap.

 

If the pinging is coming from under the hood it could be piston slap, but it sounds unrelated to the motor. It sounds like you whole problem is in the rear axle and/or the rear driveline.

The vibration could also be the tires having a flat spot on them from sitting for 4 years. So check them out really good.

Did you do a tune up on it when you pulled it out of storage? Did you change the gas when you pulled it out? Has it ran out of the old gas and have you put in new yet? Did you check all of the fluids under the hood?

Check your rear end fluid, make sure it is full and it doesn't smell burned. Then jack up the rear end and put it in neutral, then with the motor off turn the rear tires by hand and listen for any noises. Then turn the rear end by hand using the drive line, and check the U-joints while under there.

If your rear end is not making the noise and the drive line is all good with the current U-joints, then you can move up to the trans and transfer case.

Let us know what you find.

 

U joints.................................for both problems to start with

 

Thanks for the help guys. I agree with your feedback. I did do a tuneup on it when I pulled it out od storage. Changed plugs, wires, oil, fuel filter. I will check the rear end fluid. The gas in the tank is almost enpty so I will put some fresh gas in there soon. I too believe the majority of my issues are in the rear end. Hopefully it's not more than the u joints. Once I find out i"ll let you know. Thanks again!

 

After you run that full tank of fresh gas, change out that fule filter again. I can guarantee there is lot of trash that is gonna run through the pump.

 

Yeppers!