[mhtwotwo]

Sup guys! I have a 1997 S10 2wd with the 1500 series manual trans. Last week my speed sensor on the trans went out. Ok no biggie. Swapped it out and my speedo is back all to normal. NOTE: the end of the sensor was pretty chewed up on the 1st one.

Alright 1 week goes by, sensor goes out again! Same deal, sensor is chewed up. What is causing this? Fluid is full. Drives and shifts great. I’m stumped.

 

[Brawndo]

Tail shaft busing that supports the drive shaft yoke most likely worn out letting the vss tone ring contact the sensor killing it. Check the yoke for play by pushing it up and down and side to side. Can be caused by normal wear or a drive shaft out of balance causing wear on the bushing. Pull the yoke and look of wear in it as well.

 

[mhtwotwo]

Tail shaft busing that supports the drive shaft yoke most likely worn out letting the vss tone ring contact the sensor killing it. Check the yoke for play by pushing it up and down and side to side. Can be caused by normal wear or a drive shaft out of balance causing wear on the bushing. Pull the yoke and look of wear in it as well.

i had the driveshaft out less than a month ago. Yoke looks good. I was replacing the output shaft seal on the trans. The driveshaft is slightly out of balance. The local driveshaft shop wants nearly $1000 to balance it…. HOLYYYY. He does great work I hear but……

 

[Rhotpursuit]

They make washers to space it out from the tone ring.

 

[Brawndo]

They make washers to space it out from the tone ring.

Got a part number or source? For the archives so to speak. My contention is something is well worn to cause the contact. Most likely the tail-shaft support bushing in the tail housing. Basically a big brass bushing that wears at the bottom over time. Question to the OP what makes you think or know the driveshaft is out of balance? Is it bent? Have contact with something? Excessive driveshaft angle? If it is it will accelerate wear.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Got a part number or source? For the archives so to speak. My contention is something is well worn to cause the contact. Most likely the tail-shaft support bushing in the tail housing. Basically a big brass bushing that wears at the bottom over time. Question to the OP what makes you think or know the driveshaft is out of balance? Is it bent? Have contact with something? Excessive driveshaft angle? If it is it will accelerate wear.

It's been awhile. I got them at the dealer. They're very thin and come in a 2 pack.

 

[Brawndo]

It's been awhile. I got them at the dealer. They're very thin and come in a 2 pack.

Cool i will check it out.

 

[mhtwotwo]

Got a part number or source? For the archives so to speak. My contention is something is well worn to cause the contact. Most likely the tail-shaft support bushing in the tail housing. Basically a big brass bushing that wears at the bottom over time. Question to the OP what makes you think or know the driveshaft is out of balance? Is it bent? Have contact with something? Excessive driveshaft angle? If it is it will accelerate wear.

I had a U joint and carrier bearing go a few months ago. While I had it all out, I went ahead and did the other U joints as well. Before I had a vibration at 40mph and I do afterwards (new U joints) also. I do not think the driveshaft is bent but more likely out of balance. But I do not have any way of seeing it’s bent. Just going by the naked eye. Truck is completely stock. No suspension modifications at all. Tires are good. Even had them balanced just to see if that was the culprit. No change.

I checked for play in the driveshaft this AM at the transmission side. Can’t feel any play but it’s got to be the bushing since I’m chewing up speed sensors every week. Here lately on this truck it’s been the rare stuff break. Lol. Having to order stuff and AutoZone either losing it and/or ordering wrong part. O’Reillys or Napa from now on for this guy. Sad to see our local AutoZone go down hill like it has. New faces at the counter every time I go.

 

[aitch]

I had a U joint and carrier bearing go a few months ago. While I had it all out, I went ahead and did the other U joints as well. Before I had a vibration at 40mph and I do afterwards (new U joints) also. I do not think the driveshaft is bent but more likely out of balance. But I do not have any way of seeing it’s bent. Just going by the naked eye. Truck is completely stock. No suspension modifications at all. Tires are good. Even had them balanced just to see if that was the culprit. No change.

I checked for play in the driveshaft this AM at the transmission side. Can’t feel any play but it’s got to be the bushing since I’m chewing up speed sensors every week. Here lately on this truck it’s been the rare stuff break. Lol. Having to order stuff and AutoZone either losing it and/or ordering wrong part. O’Reillys or Napa from now on for this guy. Sad to see our local AutoZone go down hill like it has. New faces at the counter every time I go.

Have you tried Rock Auto and/ or GM Parts Giant for ordering parts? I'm not plugging for either, but have used them both and had good results, and are competitive or cheaper than other sources. I regularly research the part I need prior to ordering, so I don't usually have to depend on a parts counter guy for assistance. I gave up on the nO' Reilleys and Auto Zone in my locale, and will usually hit Advance Auto (when really necessary) for an immediate necessity.

 

[mhtwotwo]

Have you tried Rock Auto and/ or GM Parts Giant for ordering parts? I'm not plugging for either, but have used them both and had good results, and are competitive or cheaper than other sources. I regularly research the part I need prior to ordering, so I don't usually have to depend on a parts counter guy for assistance. I gave up on the nO' Reilleys and Auto Zone in my locale, and will usually hit Advance Auto (when really necessary) for an immediate necessity.

Yes I order from RockAuto quite often. Only go to parts stores when I need it going that day. I have a package coming today from RockAuto actually. Redoing all the brakes once this cold front leaves lol.

 

[Brawndo]

maybe @Tranzman can weigh in on what it might take to change the bushing. I had one done on my 700r4 a few years ago exact same problem. Took off the tail shaft housing dropped it at a trans shop and they did bushing and seal for under $30. Not sure what it takes on manual.

 

[mhtwotwo]

Can someone verify if these trucks were meant to have a spacer on the VSS? The original one did not have one but I was told it was supposed to be there?

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Can someone verify if these trucks were meant to have a spacer on the VSS? The original one did not have one but I was told it was supposed to be there?

It's not a matter if they are supposed to have one, rather it's to account for manufacturing tolerances that may be different from one trans to another. If the face of the VSS is being chewed up, you need the spacer. If you put a new VSS on it, I'd use the spacers and see if it works. You can always remove one if it's too far away.

 

[aitch]

Out of curiosity, what is the brand of the VSS that you installed? If it was a Dorman product, that might be the culprit (maybe the 'tail' is a bit too long). Their QC sux.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Out of curiosity, what is the brand of the VSS that you installed? If it was a Dorman product, that might be the culprit. Their QC sux.

It was an AC/Delco unit. It doesn't matter who makes them. Even if the VSS was dead on in dimensions, the mounting surface of the trans may be off, or the tone ring could be off.

 

[aitch]

It was an AC/Delco unit. It doesn't matter who makes them. Even if the VSS was dead on in dimensions, the mounting surface of the trans may be off, or the tone ring could be off.

Somehow I missed the brand ID in the discussions. And certainly, there is the variable of the mounting surface machining, which could/ would necessitate the shims/ spacers.

 

[mhtwotwo]

Out of curiosity, what is the brand of the VSS that you installed? If it was a Dorman product, that might be the culprit (maybe the 'tail' is a bit too long). Their QC sux.

It was a Duralast. The original one that went down…? No clue the brand. It’s been in there for the 2 years I’ve had it. But yes I agree, I HATE dorman products.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

It was a Duralast. The original one that went down…? No clue the brand. It’s been in there for the 2 years I’ve had it. But yes I agree, I HATE dorman products.

As bad as Dorman products are, something that is stationary and gets the end chewed up is not the fault of the part. Do yourself a faveor and get the AC/Delco part. If you can't find a spacer, let me know. I was just out cleaning up the tool box and found one. I can stick it in the mail.

 

[mhtwotwo]

As bad as Dorman products are, something that is stationary and gets the end chewed up is not the fault of the part. Do yourself a faveor and get the AC/Delco part. If you can't find a spacer, let me know. I was just out cleaning up the tool box and found one. I can stick it in the mail.

Can you send me a photo of the spacer? Thickness of it? It’s odd to me that this truck has been fine for the 20k I’ve had it and it’s not had a spacer. Been fine until now. So it’s got to be the bushing issue I am assuming. BUT I do greatly appreciate your offer and will most likely take you up on it.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Can you send me a photo of the spacer? Thickness of it? It’s odd to me that this truck has been fine for the 20k I’ve had it and it’s not had a spacer. Been fine until now. So it’s got to be the bushing issue I am assuming. BUT I do greatly appreciate your offer and will most likely take you up on it.

Before you fire up the new VSS, I'd put a thin coat white grease on the face of it and bolt it in. Turn the trans over by hand and check for ant witness make on it.
Here's a couple of pics for all the good they are. They are very very thin which should give you an idea of how close they should be.