I Bought a Truck! And it Broke... 

"shpuker" (shpuker) 07/12/2016 at 23:35 • Filed to: None

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I went and bought a 2WD 2015 GMC Sierra with 9,000 miles on it to replace the shitfest that was my Buick. But I immediately proceeded to put3,200 miles on the truck in the first two weeks I had it and it tackled them beautifully! UNTIL I went to drive into work this morning...

And this happened...

About now you’re probably thinking, “OMG lolz you try and do a truck pull or some stupid shit?!?”

No... No I fucking didn’t. I went to accelerate (probably 3/4 throttle) from maybe 10 mph on a GOD DAMN WET ROAD...

That’s right ladies and gents, only I could manage to snap a driveshaft at parking lot speeds, on a wet road... What I want to know though, is what kind of dogshit is this driveshaft? I didn’t measure it yet but best I can tell that’s a fucking 5" OD and maybe a 1/16th sidewall on a V8 pickup.... What the fuck? (for the record, the cardboard is a vibration damper, though I agree it makes it look even more insane.

Idk wtf the black plastic piece is. (This picture was taken like 10 hours later at the dealership)

My first thought though when I saw it was (well after the initial, “You’ve got to be kidding me”) someone has to have swapped on an aftermarket driveshaft. There’s no way GM would produce this dogshit (lol jk they totally would), I mean it doesn’t even have a part number on it. So I went and looked at a 2016 Chevy worktruck they had on the lot (2wd, regular cab, but a V6) and that looked a a bit better...

Yup looks like a driveshaft. You can’t see it here, but it also has the part number on an ID plate/sticker at about its midpoint. Seems legit. So my GMC must have an aftermarket one on it.

Then I remembered something. U-Haul stocks 2015/2016 GMC Sierra ‘s in regular cab, 2WD, work truck trim. So I took a trip down, and yea....

What the fuck. Unless U-Haul is swapping these dogshit axles onto their trucks, that’s 110% GMC fuckery right there.

Moving on though, I’m going to keep the name of the dealership to myself for the time being (They’ve only had my truck for a day, no need to get all up in their grill) but will say that they were nice enough to put me in one of their used trucks to get me by in the meantime... The only downside is that it happens to be a 2004 or some BS with 247,000 miles on it, and still has the giant “$4,650" stickers on the windshield for that extra, “This is what we think your business is worth” factor.

Anyways, if any other opponauts have a 2015/2016 Sierra sitting around go take a quick look and snap a pic of what yours has, I’m curious (and rather fucking pissed) whether this is actually what GMC decided to put on these or if I’m being absolutely shafted (pun intended).

UPDATE: Looks like all the 5.3L Chevy’s and GMC’s might use this driveshaft, Have yet to find a 2015/2016 withthe 5.3L and any other type of driveshaft. I’m also not the first one to bust one in spectacular fashion, courtesy of Ilovecars:

UPDATE 2: It’s entirely possible that this is related to the GMC/Chevy vibration issue that’ve been pretty well documented over the last year or so. This video shows a pretty clear view of possible driveshaft runout or the imperfection in its rotation essentially.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:07

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Wow.....wtf....that’s ridiculous. And with the insane prices even basic full-size pickups cost these days...? 0_o

shpuker > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/12/2016 at 23:08

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Used Truck: $22,000

Driveshaft on said truck: $0.15

XJDano > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:09

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Was yours a previous uhaul truck?

CRider > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:09

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I guess not.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:10

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Even still, that’s a lot of do ray me for something like this to happen on a truck with 9K miles.....

Your boy, BJR > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:11

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The uhall model having a shittier driveshaft isn't anything new or exciting, pretty much any automaker does that to keep fleet costs down.

CRider > XJDano 07/12/2016 at 23:12

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I think the V6 truck has a steel (black) driveshaft and the V8s have an aluminum one. Uhaul wouldn’t change the shaft.

Die-Trying > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:14

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you hadnt run over anything that could of put a dent in it??

whoarder is tellurium > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:15

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Just too much Murican torque.

Edit: I seem to recall the last gen Ford Mustang V6 driveshaft exploding above its limited top speed of 112mph.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:16

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I mean... you could have been on the freeway full speed when that happened. That driveshaft looks like it was made out of cardboard wrapped with dryer duct tape.

Die-Trying > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:17

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the next 5 or 6 over have the same shaft you do........

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:22

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My old man has an 08 Silverado, and it’s already eaten 3 drive shafts. Not to mention U joints...

Urambo Tauro > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:22

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Your picture with the V6's steel shaft... I see aluminum shafts in the background. What kind of trucks were those?

shpuker > Die-Trying 07/12/2016 at 23:23

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Nope

shop-teacher > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:23

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That is completely insane!

I will say though, who knows what the previous owner did to it?

Still though, that’s just completely screwed.

Urambo Tauro > CRider 07/12/2016 at 23:23

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THE PLOT THICKENS

shpuker > Urambo Tauro 07/12/2016 at 23:23

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Ohhh good eye. I completely missed that. I’ll go take a look tomorrow

shpuker > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/12/2016 at 23:25

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You’re not wrong at all. If I’d been actually moving at a decent rate I’d be in far worse ware.

shpuker > Die-Trying 07/12/2016 at 23:26

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Yea I hadn’t seen that until now. I’ll have to go back tomorrow to double check but it looks like it.

shpuker > shop-teacher 07/12/2016 at 23:27

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Well I know it was a fleet truck and then got cycled through two different auction houses so who knows.

Urambo Tauro > Your boy, BJR 07/12/2016 at 23:32

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That’s very interesting. Sure seems like an odd choice to use a weak driveshaft in a truck that’s likely to see more abuse than normal...

E92M3 > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:39

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This is what happens when you sell Delphi to the Chinese.

Die-Trying > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:40

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the ONE you were under seems to be the only one on the row with an iron shaft. you might check to see what is different, that they put the iron in that one......... manual, or engine package, bed length......

your driveshaft seems to have a bright spot around it, an inch in front of, and behind, where it looks like something rubbed on it for a bit.........something to look at.

Toby F., Manager > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:41

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OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > shpuker 07/12/2016 at 23:47

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My father (the Toyota/Lexus Master Tech and shop owner) said it had to have been unnoticed external damage that let to the catastrophic failure. Didnt take much though because the quality of driveshaft.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CRider 07/12/2016 at 23:53

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New Commercial:

“As a strength test for aluminum, we placed aluminum foil driveshafts in all of our V8 trucks. These are the results: They BREAK

THIS IS WHY WE USE HIGH STRENGTH....”

shpuker > Toby F., Manager 07/13/2016 at 00:12

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Literally the same driveshaft and the same engine... You’ve got to be kidding me.

Flavien Vidal > Toby F., Manager 07/13/2016 at 00:20

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I guess this is what happens when you slam on the accelerator with your handbrake still on lol....

shpuker > whoarder is tellurium 07/13/2016 at 00:21

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I thought that was the transmission?

Your boy, BJR > Urambo Tauro 07/13/2016 at 00:22

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Yeah, but, y’know, keeps repair and buying costs down. Rental trucks have smaller driveshafts, Rental Impalas don’t have sway bars.

Urambo Tauro > Your boy, BJR 07/13/2016 at 00:28

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Unbelievable. (And I almost mean that literally.)

Where can I find more information about such drastic cost-cutting?

DipodomysDeserti > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 07/13/2016 at 00:29

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What specs on his truck? I’m looking at 08-13 silverados right now. Either 4wd or 2wd with the 5.3L

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 00:44

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So GM Spent lots of time dissing Ford’s aluminum beds, talking sit about how much better steel is. But then they turn aroundvand make their drive shafts out of aluminum.

shpuker > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/13/2016 at 00:50

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#GMlogic

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > DipodomysDeserti 07/13/2016 at 00:51

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We have a ‘08 5.3 at work. Other than it’s transmission js going at 190k miles, its been fairly solid. Now that the reliability part is over, it’s a fucking miserable place to be. Our Dodges are better places to spend time.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 00:54

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Was there any wheelspin?

shpuker > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/13/2016 at 00:55

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None at all

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 01:03

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I could maybe see the driveshaft breaking if there was suddenly much more stress than previous, or some massive wheel hop or axle wrap. But if it breaks under that, well..... That’s pathetic.

DipodomysDeserti > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/13/2016 at 01:06

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Used Dodhes are much cheaper too. I like the Hemis, but am much more comfortable around SBCs

96Formula6spd > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 01:07

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Yeah looks like what they have been using for years. The 98-02 F Body driveshafts are the same even down to the cardboard. Granted this looks like maybe a recall. I know I have one of those aluminum ones in my 96 LT1 car. Usually work unless you go crazy at the drag strip. However this looks like a weird fail. Usually they twist. Maybe a bad weld but they are usually one whole piece. Could just be a bad one. Replace under warranty and continue on.

Mitch Moen > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 01:09

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This is just nuts..smh

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > DipodomysDeserti 07/13/2016 at 01:10

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The 5.3 is all it has going for it. Even then, I find it dull and boring.

DipodomysDeserti > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/13/2016 at 02:20

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I agree, but it's really easy to open up a can of whoop ass on an LS engine. They're also pretty dead nuts reliable, and resale is much better if you ever need to dump it. But yeah awful interior and styling.

Chasaboo > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 03:00

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It’s funny for all the advertising you see on television about how tough pickup trucks are, they’re pretty wimpy. Sorry that happened to you. Damn shame.

samssun > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/13/2016 at 03:22

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Yep first thing I was thinking was some kind of weird wheel hop + resonance scenario.

yitznewton > shop-teacher 07/13/2016 at 06:08

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Yeah, you got completely shafted by the PO.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > DipodomysDeserti 07/13/2016 at 06:26

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Also, active fuel management is not reliable.

Sweet Trav > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 06:48

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First blame American Axle for the Sylent Shaft (yep that's what they call it) and no, this is not the vibration issue. The vibration issue is inherently structure borne, if you complain long enough and hard enough to your dealer they will fix it.

Wurrwulf > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 08:09

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My company buys fleet GM work trucks. We only have 2 that are ‘15/’16s right now. One is a turbodiesel 2500 and the other is a V6. We have one 5.3, but it is either a ‘13 or ‘14. I’ll check when I get to the shop. We’ve had probably 15-20 trucks in the 7 years I’ve been here, and we’ve never had that issue. Out trucks get beat to shit, too.

shop-teacher > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/13/2016 at 08:24

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Those commercials actually disgust me. My ‘06 Sierra has an aluminum driveshaft as well, but at least mine is original.

Dru > yitznewton 07/13/2016 at 08:36

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They definitely torqued his nerves on this one.

BigBlock440 > Urambo Tauro 07/13/2016 at 09:01

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For the first couple years of the Chargers, the only way you could get a 2.7 was in a rental. Not that you’d want one, but it’s another example.

Rico > Sweet Trav 07/13/2016 at 09:45

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Don’t you work in the industry? Any idea why they chose this?

Sweet Trav > Rico 07/13/2016 at 09:48

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Aluminum shafts are done for Weight and fuel economy.

My guess is there was a defect, or damage in the areas around the failure. for example take an empty aluminum soda can with now dents, and apply a torsional force to it, then put a dent or cut in the side and see how it crumples? Same concept.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 09:52

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I broke a drive shaft on my 68 Buick 225, revved it up, and dumped it into drive, shattered the middle universal joint. It had the 430ci V8, a bit more torque than the 5.3 L.

Rico > Sweet Trav 07/13/2016 at 09:55

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Definitely understand, hopefully it was just a bad batch.

Wurrwulf > Wurrwulf 07/13/2016 at 09:59

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2014 single cab, long bed, 5.3 V8: same driveshaft as yours

I’ve put a lot of miles towing a 10,000+ lb trailer with that truck, too. Strange.

Sweet Trav > shop-teacher 07/13/2016 at 10:21

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The PO didn’t do anything, that’s how it came from the factory.

Sweet Trav > Urambo Tauro 07/13/2016 at 10:21

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See every OEM ever.

shop-teacher > Sweet Trav 07/13/2016 at 11:06

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I know the driveshaft is factory, what I meant was who knows what kind of abuse the PO may have subjected it to.

WiscoProud > shpuker 07/13/2016 at 11:27

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I obviously don't know anything about driveshaft design, but ideally I would imagine a driveshaft should be able to handle a multiple of the torque available. Unless they have made it a "safety feature" to preserve the transmission or diff, since its easier and cheaper to replace. However, my gut says its a cost cutting thing.

Sweet Trav > shop-teacher 07/13/2016 at 11:59

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Gotcha, my guess is a chunk of pavement or a rock.