Lubricating Yoke Splines

[MS3DALE]

I know this has been discussed many times on here,but I just wanted to post this bulletin and a subsequent notice after it that GM just released to us dealers..

 

 

#09-04-17-002C: Bump Feel/Clunk Noise at Stop or from Launch (Clean/Lubricate Propeller Shaft Slip Yoke Splines) - (Jun 15, 2010)

 

 

Subject: Bump Feel/Clunk Noise at Stop or from Launch (Clean/Lubricate Propeller Shaft Slip Yoke Splines)

 

 

Models: 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban

 

2007-2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

 

2007-2010 Chevrolet Silverado (New Body Style) with Single-Piece Propshafts

 

2007-2008 GMC Yukon XL

 

2007-2009 GMC Yukon

 

2007-2010 GMC Sierra (New Body Style) with Single-Piece Propshafts

 

All Equipped with 4L60 Automatic Transmission (RPO M30) and 2WD

 

 

 

Attention: This bulletin contains a procedure to clean/lubricate the slip yoke splines and replace the slip yoke, if necessary. Check the history on this vehicle. If the lubrication procedure has been performed previously, then continue on and replace the slip yoke.

 

Condition:

Some customers may comment that the vehicle has a bump feel or a clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Customers may also comment that the bump feel or clunk is noticed after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and that it feels as if the vehicle was bumped from behind.

 

Cause:

This condition may be caused by a slip/stick condition in the interface between the rear propshaft slip yoke and the transmission output shaft splines. Braking to a complete stop can force the propshaft slip yoke forward into the transmission while the vehicle rebounds slightly backward after stopping its momentum and create this condition.

 

Correction:

Note: A bump feel or noise may also be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. If the condition is eliminated after filling the fuel tank, the noise is isolated to the fuel movement in the tank. Please make no repair attempts, as this noise is considered an operating characteristic.

 

Verify the customer's concern.

 

Clean/Lubricate Slip Yoke Splines:

 

Remove the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.

Inspect the rear slip yoke splines on the drive shaft.

Clean the slip yoke splines with brake cleaner or equivalent and a shop towel.

Assure the yoke is free of rust or other foreign material.

Lubricate the slip yoke spline with grease, P/N 19257121 (in Canada, 19257122), using a brush or swab to completely cover the entire spline with a light coating of grease.

Reinstall the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.

Road test the vehicle and verify that the noise is gone.

Note: Do Not replace the slip yoke unless the cleaning and lubrication procedure is ineffective.

 

If the vehicle has a repeat concern after lubricating the slip yoke splines, it may be necessary to replace the propeller shaft slip yoke with a new nickel-plated slip yoke.

Replace the Propeller Shaft Slip Yoke

 

 

Remove the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.

Important: Some U-joints are fastened with nylon injection clips. If so, Do Not reuse the U-joint. Replace with GM P/N 12479126 U-Joint kit.

 

Replace the propeller shaft slip yoke with a new nickel-plated slip yoke. Refer to Propeller Shaft Slip Yoke Replacement in SI.

Install the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.

 

Parts Information:

 

LUBRICANT - Part#19257121 (in Canada, use 19257122)

 

SLIP YOKE - Part#19121437 - 2007 & 2008 - Utilities / Tahoe / Yukon and Avalanche

 

SLIP YOKE - Part#20877209 - 2009 - Tahoe / Yukon & 2007-2010 Pickups

 

JOINT KIT,PROP SHF UNIVERSAL - Part#12479126 (in Canada, use 10952423) Replace only if fastened w/nylon injection

[MS3DALE]

Subject: Do Not use Slip Yoke Grease from Bulletin #09-04-17-002C on 4WD Vehicles

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GM Customer Care and Aftersales

 

 

*URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY*

 

 

DATE: November 4, 2010

SUBJECT: Do Not use Slip Yoke Grease from Bulletin #09-04-17-002C on 4WD Vehicles.

MODELS: 2007 – 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Series

 

2008 – 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe 1500 Series

 

2007 – 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Series

 

2008 – 2009 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL 1500 Series

 

Equipped with 4WD (RPO NQG, NQH)

 

TO: Chevrolet/GMC Dealers

ATTN: Service Manager and Parts Manager

 

A new grease, part # 19257121 (in Canada, 19257122), was recently released for lubrication of slip yoke splines to repair a condition of a bump feel or clunk noise at stop or from launch on the vehicles equipped with 4L60 Automatic Transmission (RPO M30) and 2WD. Please see Bulletin # 09-04-17-002C for details.

 

Do not use the new grease for lubrication of slip yoke splines on 4WD vehicles. The output shaft in a 4WD transfer case does not have a grease retainer to keep the grease from migrating into the transfer case and mixing with the fluid inside. The new grease is not compatible with the Automatic Transmission fluid used in the transfer case and can cause damage if mixed. Lubricate the splines on 4WD vehicles with Automatic Transmission Fluid, P/N 88861003 (in Canada, 88861004). Please refer to Bulletin # 09-04-21-003B for repairing the bump feel or clunk noise condition on 4WD vehicles.

[txab]

This ought to go in the Tech Wiki as well

[Black02Silverado]

One would think after all these years, what is it now 10 that GM would have fixed this issue. I guess the bean counters feel it isn't needed.

 

Thanks for posting it Rich. Good to know about the grease for 4wd vehicles. That could cause an issue with the transfer case for sure.

[MS3DALE]

Heres the one for 4WD's....

 

 

#09-04-21-003B: Clunk Noise at Stop or From Launch (Clean/Lubricate Rear Propshaft Slip Yoke Splines) - (Aug 11, 2009)

 

 

Subject: Clunk Noise at Stop or from Launch (Clean/Lubricate Rear Propshaft Slip Yoke Splines)

 

 

Models: 2007-2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Series

 

2008-2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe 1500 Series

 

2007-2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Series

 

2008-2009 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL 1500 Series

 

Equipped with 4WD (RPO NQG, NQH)

 

Attention: This bulletin contains a procedure to clean/lubricate the rear propshaft slip yoke splines and replace, if necessary. Check the history on this vehicle. If the lubrication procedure has been performed previously, then continue on and replace the transfer case rear output shaft.

 

Condition:

Some customers may comment on a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Customers may also comment that the bump feel or clunk is noticed after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and that it feels as if the vehicle was bumped from behind.

 

Cause:

This condition may be caused by a slip/stick condition between the rear propshaft slip yoke and the transfer case rear output shaft splines. Braking to a complete stop can force the propshaft slip yoke forward into the transfer case while the vehicle rebounds slightly backward after stopping its momentum.

 

Correction:

Note: The clunk noise may also be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. If the condition is eliminated after filling the fuel tank, the noise is isolated to the fuel movement in the tank. Please make no repair attempts, as this noise is considered an operating characteristic.

 

Verify the customer's concern.

 

Clean/Lubricate Rear PropShaft Slip Yoke Splines

Remove the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.

Inspect the rear propshaft slip yoke splines.

Note: Protect the transfer case rear seal from Brake Clean.

 

Clean the rear propshaft slip yoke splines with Brake Clean or equivalent and a shop towel.

Assure that the splines are free of rust or other foreign material.

Lubricate the spline with Automatic Transmission Fluid, P/N 88861003 (in Canada, 88861004).

Reinstall the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.

Road test the vehicle and verify that the noise is gone.

If the vehicle has a repeat concern after lubricating the slip yoke splines, replace the rear output shaft.

Replace Transfer Case Rear Output Shaft

Note: Do Not replace the output shaft unless the cleaning and lubrication procedure is ineffective.

 

Remove the transfer case assembly. Refer to Transfer Case Assembly Replacement in SI.

Disassemble the transfer case. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble in SI.

Replace the transfer case rear output shaft. Refer to the Parts Information below.

Assemble the transfer case.

Reinstall the transfer case assembly.

 

Parts Information:

 

19133059 - SHAFT, TRFER CASE (RPO NQH)

 

19133061 - SHAFT, TRFER CASE (RPO NQG)

 

88861003 (in Canada, 88861004) - Automatic Transmission Fluid

[ffthornton]

This is not good. I just done this today. I hope i do not mess anything up.

[Zembonez]

It won't. They have changed the grease so many times for this. This is just the latest.

[ffthornton]

What do you mean by that? I even used the wright up you did on another site. Truck mod central or something like that.

[MS3DALE]

This is not good. I just done this today. I hope i do not mess anything up.

 

What did you use,the grease or ATF fluid? If you used ATF your alright,If you used the grease I would remove the shaft and clean the grease off the splines and re-lube them with ATF.

[music]

Rich has posted the info on using ATF rather than grease on 4wd in the past, but I think it went largely unnoticed (based on the many posts about using grease).

[ffthornton]

It had trans fluid in the yoke already. Dont think that was working. Unless the ATF is some kind of past like stuff.

[Zembonez]

What do you mean by that? I even used the wright up you did on another site. Truck mod central or something like that.

I mean that you aren't going to have any issues with it. GM has changed recommendations so many times on this that it's becoming comical. The slip yoke splines do not ride in ATF. The grease inside the splines will not contaminate the fluid.

 

Perhaps their latest "improved" slip yoke works best with ATF. Time will tell.

 

Nothing against Rich or GM but I tried using ATF on the slip yoke long ago and it lasted about a week. The grease method has lasted years. It is certainly NOT my intent to mislead anyone in here.

 

Sorry Rich.

[MS3DALE]

What do you mean by that? I even used the wright up you did on another site. Truck mod central or something like that.

I mean that you aren't going to have any issues with it. GM has changed recommendations so many times on this that it's becoming comical. The slip yoke splines do not ride in ATF. The grease inside the splines will not contaminate the fluid.

 

Perhaps their latest "improved" slip yoke works best with ATF. Time will tell.

 

Nothing against Rich or GM but I tried using ATF on the slip yoke long ago and it lasted about a week. The grease method has lasted years. It is certainly NOT my intent to mislead anyone in here.

 

Sorry Rich.

 

 

Oh no problem Jim,I always questioned using ATF because of the thin viscosity of it,compared to the thick viscosity of the grease....I mean common sense would tell you that the ATF is going to have a tendency to "leak out",where the grease would tend to "stay put" because of the thickness of it But what do I know,I'm just a dumb parts guy

[Zembonez]

Oh no problem Jim,I always questioned using ATF because of the thin viscosity of it,compared to the thick viscosity of the grease....I mean common sense would tell you that the ATF is going to have a tendency to "leak out",where the grease would tend to "stay put" because of the thickness of it But what do I know,I'm just a dumb parts guy

 

Well... I call BS on that.

 

We've been friends here for along time. I always have had (and continue to) have respect for you here. You have helped a boatload of members on this site. I just disagree with GM on this a bit. Certainly not aimed at you.

[MS3DALE]

I should add,I've never greased any of the slip yoke splines on any of my newer trucks ('99-'04-'07) I've never had any issues requiring it.

 

The only issue I had was with the '99 I had,It had a slight "bump" feel when taking off from a stop,that was when GM was using the first generation AutoTrak fluid that was Red in color,They came out with a reformulated fluid that was Blue in color.

The issue was in the AutoTrak transfer case with the clutches......the old "Red" fluid allowed the clutches to slip in excess,and then they would "catch" all of a sudden causing a bump feel (because the truck would move forward,stop for a split second,then move forward again)

The reformulated Blue fluid contained friction modifiers to address the clutch slippage issue.

Once I drained the Red fluid out of the transfer case and refilled it with the new Blue fluid I never had any issues after that.

Keep in mind that was on the GMT800 trucks that required,and called for AutoTrak fluid in the transfer cases,the GMT900's require Dexron VI ATF fluid...Do NOT use AutoTrak fluid in the GMT900 transfer cases.