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drive shaft grease on 2015 silverado

scottl1346
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scottl1346 Enthusiast

scottl1346

Posted
Posted

so my dealer greased my drive shaft because i complained about clunking when turning left and right foreword andreverse not sure how it would be related but they did it now after doing some reading iv found that they should not have greased my drive shaft that the grease could get into the T-case? is this an issue still and what should i do? Thanks

LaserBlueZ71 Enthusiast

LaserBlueZ71

Posted
Posted

Technically I don't see how that is possible.

 

There are seals on all output shafts of anything like a transmission or transfer case. Also, they are connected via a u-joint, not directly mated.

scottl1346 Enthusiast

scottl1346

Posted
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im not 100% sure on this that's why im asking but they greased the splines on the yoke im assuming now the TSB iv found only says 2008 or older and at the bottom it states not to use on newer 4x4 cause theres no grease retainer or something like that just didnt know if im going to have issues with contamination with the atf and issues possibly with my t-case. this truck has been nothing but issues and im getting tired of it

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)

2007 and up trucks you can NOT grease the slip splines on 4x4 trucks:

Note: Do not use grease for lubrication of the 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. Grease is not compatible with the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) used in the transfer case and can cause damage if mixed.

 

 

As for your issues with clunking...

 

#PIT5161D: Normal Characteristic - Bump Feel Or Clunk Noise After A Stop - (Apr 21, 2016)

 

 

Subject: Normal Characteristic - Bump Feel Or Clunk Noise After A Stop

 

2007-2016 Chevrolet Silverado

2007-2016 GMC Sierra

 

Condition/Concern

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 feels as if the vehicle was bumped from behind. This concern may be more noticeable on trucks with larger fuel tanks (34 or 36 gallons tanks).

Recommendation/Instructions

The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank. If the noise is eliminated or reduced when the fuel tank is either completely filled or very low on fuel, the noise is isolated to fuel movement in the tank. Please make no repair attempts, as this is considered a normal characteristic.

Customer Information

Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. It will not impact the designed performance or reliability of the vehicle. Please share this information with the customer, including a copy of this message.

 

 

As for the left to right clunk...do you feel it in the seat?

Edited by 15HDriver
glcbn Enthusiast

glcbn

Posted
Posted

im not 100% sure on this that's why im asking but they greased the splines on the yoke im assuming now the TSB iv found only says 2008 or older and at the bottom it states not to use on newer 4x4 cause theres no grease retainer or something like that just didnt know if im going to have issues with contamination with the atf and issues possibly with my t-case. this truck has been nothing but issues and im getting tired of it

 

If they in fact did that, and with what 15HDriver posted, I'd be getting something in writing pronto from the dealer/tech involved that did the work so you have something to fall back on if you encounter issues later because of that brain fart.

scottl1346 Enthusiast

scottl1346

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

If they in fact did that, and with what 15HDriver posted, I'd be getting something in writing pronto from the dealer/tech involved that did the work so you have something to fall back on if you encounter issues later because of that brain fart.

i have the printout of all the work that was done it states c/s clunk when turning left and right foreword and reverse gease dive shaft. thats what is says on the printout of work completed

scottl1346 Enthusiast

scottl1346

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i pulled my drive shaft there was grease on it and i took pics. . .

2007 and up trucks you can NOT grease the slip splines on 4x4 trucks:

 

As for your issues with clunking...

 

 

 

As for the left to right clunk...do you feel it in the seat?

 

 

for the clunk its the rear end my seat pan has no movement just the back rest part when stopping moves but the clunk is def all rear end i believe there toooo much play in the ring and pinion but they wont look

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

i pulled my drive shaft there was grease on it and i took pics. . .

 

 

for the clunk its the rear end my seat pan has no movement just the back rest part when stopping moves but the clunk is def all rear end i believe there toooo much play in the ring and pinion but they wont look

 

There is known noise caused by total gear/ driveline backlash in the trans and drive axles that can cause odd clunks from time to time. My 2012 did it, my 15 HD does it, most of them do.

 

Some customers of vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise when shifting between Park and Drive, Park and Reverse, or Drive and Reverse. Similarly, customers of vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise while driving when the accelerator is quickly depressed and then released. Tipping into the throttle after deceleration can also result in some level of clunk as the driveline is loaded in one direction (coast) then with throttle reapply the driveline gets loaded in the opposite direction (drive). On manual transmission vehicles depressing the clutch while in a deceleration immediately releases load on the driveline and may produce a clunk noise as the driveline unloads.

 

Note: Compare this complaint vehicle to a like vehicle. If the results are the same, this is a normal condition. For additional diagnostic information, refer to the appropriate Service information.

 

Whenever there are two or more gears interacting with one another, there must be a certain amount of clearance between those gears in order for the gears to operate properly. This clearance or freeplay (also known as lash) can translate into a clunk noise whenever the gear is loaded and unloaded quickly, or whenever the direction of rotation is reversed. The more gears you have in a system, the more freeplay the total system will have.

 

The clunk noise that owners sometimes hear may be the result of a buildup of freeplay (lash) between the components in the driveline.

For example, the potential for a driveline clunk would be greater in a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle than a 2-wheel drive vehicle. This is because in addition to the freeplay from the rear axle gears, the universal joints, and the transmission (common to both vehicles), the 4-wheel drive transfer case gears (and their associated clearances) add additional freeplay to the driveline.

In service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions for the following reasons:

  • Comments of driveline clunk are almost never the result of one individual component with excessive lash, but rather the result of the added affect of freeplay (or lash) present in all of the driveline components.

    Because all of the components in the driveline have a certain amount of lash by design, changing driveline components may not result in a satisfactory lash reduction.

  • While some owners may find the clunk noise objectionable, this will not adversely affect durability or performance.
  • For additional diagnostic information, refer to the appropriate Service Information.

 

  • 6 months later...
scottl1346 Enthusiast

scottl1346

Posted
  • Author
Posted

2007 and up trucks you can NOT grease the slip splines on 4x4 trucks:

 

As for your issues with clunking...

 

 

 

As for the left to right clunk...do you feel it in the seat?

do you by any chance have a link to the tsb where it says not to use grease on newer trucks? my truck is getting worse and worse with the clunking and now vibrating in 4cyl mode but i brought up the fact that they greased my drive shaft and the service writer said they have a TSB that states to grease all nickel plated shafts and they have been doing this for years.

Thomcat Senior Enthusiast

Thomcat

Posted
Posted

do you by any chance have a link to the tsb where it says not to use grease on newer trucks? my truck is getting worse and worse with the clunking and now vibrating in 4cyl mode but i brought up the fact that they greased my drive shaft and the service writer said they have a TSB that states to grease all nickel plated shafts and they have been doing this for years.

Yes, a little grease on the outer surface of the driveshaft will not get past the seal. But this is not the case referenced by the OP for greasing the external of the output shaft and mating internal splines of the driveshaft (yoke) stub.

 

It depends upon where the ATF seals are located on the tranny output shaft within the tailstock ........whether before or after the splined end of the tranny output shaft. On some trannys the output shaft is externally splined and the short input stub (yoke) connected to the front "U" joint connected to the driveshaft is internally splined to mate with and slide along the output shaft. If the AFT seal is located in the tailstock before the splined end, no problem with greasing because it is external to the seal......but if the AFT seal is further along at the end of the tailstock using the outer surface of the stub as the seal, greasing the internal splines of the stub will go past the seal directly and into the tranny and contaminate the ATF. Either way greasing probably wont remedy a clunk for longer than a day or two, if at all.

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)

do you by any chance have a link to the tsb where it says not to use grease on newer trucks? my truck is getting worse and worse with the clunking and now vibrating in 4cyl mode but i brought up the fact that they greased my drive shaft and the service writer said they have a TSB that states to grease all nickel plated shafts and they have been doing this for years.

 

Now...it does say 2007-2009 in here, but, 2007 was when they switched to the MP transfer cases (MP1222/1225/1226, MP3034, MP1625/1626) and they still use those cases to this day. They don't have a grease retainer to prevent grease from transferring into the transfer case. The only thing that the splines can be lubed with is Dexon 6 ATF. This applies to the front shaft as well.

 

Note: Use of grease on splines of 4WD vehicles can negatively affect transfer case performance. Use transfer case lubricant only.

 

 

#09-04-21-003D: Clunk Noise at Stop or from Launch (Clean/Lubricate Rear Propshaft Slip Yoke Splines) - (Jan 14, 2011)

 

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: Do not use grease for lubrication of the 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. Grease is not compatible with the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) used in the transfer case and can cause damage if mixed.

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

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

  1. Remove the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.
  2. Inspect the rear propshaft slip yoke splines.
  3. Clean the rear propshaft slip yoke splines with Brake Clean or equivalent and a shop towel.
  4. Assure that the splines are free of rust or other foreign material.
  5. Lubricate the spline with Automatic Transmission Fluid, P/N 88861003 (in Canada, 19264717).
  6. Reinstall the rear drive shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in SI.
  7. Road test the vehicle and verify that the noise is gone.
  8. 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.

  1. Remove the transfer case assembly. Refer to Transfer Case Assembly Replacement in SI.
  2. Disassemble the transfer case. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble in SI.
  3. Replace the transfer case rear output shaft. Refer to the Parts Information below.
  4. Assemble the transfer case.
  5. Reinstall the transfer case assembly.

 

 

Also...looking at the service procedure for a 2015 Silverado for removing and replacing the front and rear propshaft, they only list a grease/lubricant for 2WD TRUCKS ONLY:

 

Propeller Shaft Splines (All RWD Propeller Shaft w/MYC Automatic Transmission) - Lubricant - 19257121 (Canadian P/N 19257122) or equivalent meeting GM Specification 9985830

 

Edited by 15HDriver
  • Like 1
  • 3 years later...
Christheking145 New Member

Christheking145

Posted
Posted

Hey I have a 2015 Silverado 4x4 and I hear a clunk when I shift to reverse. Doesn’t happen all the time, but usually will happen. Took it to the shop today and they told me they heard the clunk coming from the transfer case. Have no idea what it could be. Any help please. 

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