2015 Silverado Rear End Clunking Noise

Eastonsdad · August 20, 2016

Hear a clunking noise on my 15 DC 4wd. When in reverse or going over bump, even at slow takeoff. 9k miles on truck not sure what it could be? Any bullitens out?

royalkangaroo · August 21, 2016

Hear a clunking noise on my 15 DC 4wd. When in reverse or going over bump, even at slow takeoff. 9k miles on truck not sure what it could be? Any bullitens out?

Does this happen when you're going straight or turning? Many posts on here regarding rear end popping/clunking/creaking. Mine seems to pop when turning while reversing into a parking space or traveling down a rough dirt road. Mostly noticeable under 5 mph.

Also clunks when shaking the bed laterally. Brought it to the dealership once and they claimed "normal operating noise." Torqued the leaf spring bolts which didn't fix anything.

I plan on taking it to another dealership soon, just haven't had the time. Mine's a '15 DC Sierra with 8k miles.

I've heard everything from greasing the leaf springs, torquing the U-bolts, and replacing the C-clips in the axles. No cure-all solution that I know of though.

DeePa · August 21, 2016

Push the ass end side to side over the tires...if it goes clunk clunk clunk, your rear end bearings are shot. They rebuilt mine, still out of spec, replaced rear end, no issues in 20k.

Eastonsdad · August 21, 2016

Yes does it in reverse and slow takeoff, wether going straight or in turn, can really hear it when backing out of driveway over curb

DeePa · August 21, 2016

Yep. Exactly. Speed bumps too.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 21, 2016

Torque the u-bolt nuts to 79 ft lbs. Seems like just about everybody with one of these K2 1500 (including me) had the clunking noise. TQed mine a couple years ago or whenever I read about them being loose and haven't had a clunk since TQing them. By the way, everybody says they have to do at least a full turn.

regwalker · October 4, 2016

Did you guys by chance recently get your trucks undercoated? I just did the same with my 2016 gmc and took it into the dealership. The manager came out who was a real old school guy and told me it was the undercoating which causes the leaf springs to slip. They were nice enough to re grease them and re-torqued them and the clunk went away.

Hope this helps.

tobinstetson · October 18, 2016

Did you guys by chance recently get your trucks undercoated? I just did the same with my 2016 gmc and took it into the dealership. The manager came out who was a real old school guy and told me it was the undercoating which causes the leaf springs to slip. They were nice enough to re grease them and re-torqued them and the clunk went away.

Hope this helps.

I just got mine undercoated and it is now clunking. thanks for the tips.

ERICHTHECATT · August 4, 2017

Push the ass end side to side over the tires...if it goes clunk clunk clunk, your rear end bearings are shot. They rebuilt mine, still out of spec, replaced rear end, no issues in 20k.

I'm having this exact problem on my truck. Jacked my truck up by the frame and used a large pry bar under the tire as if I was checking for a bad ball joint. There seems to be a little up and down play in the bearing. Both sides are the same. 32000 miles. Does anyone know if this is definitely bad bearings, or is this normal? Havnt heard the clunking until recently. thanks for any info.

Rob Jones · May 2, 2020

My 2015 Silverado Crew started making this noise at 130k. I took it to a speed shop and was advised it was the rear end. Is it cheaper to replace the bearings and seals or just replace the entire rear end?