Tranny Question

troutmustard · January 22, 2004

I'm trying this post again... I'm looking for some insight here- should I keep this truck or get rid of it and buy a new one? Thoughts. Opinions. Ideas.

History- I've 2002 Silverado Z71/LT that has less than 30k miles on it. Already my dealer has replaced the U-joints and drive shaft and rebuilt the transfer case. It all started with a loud 'snapping' sound when I'd put the truck in gear and/or when it was shifting, during acceleration. That lead to U-joint and drive shaft replacements. The dealer then rebuilt the transfer case as a result of the continued 'popping' and me wanting that sound located/fixed... The truck's tranny shifts differently since that time. Note: the tranny has never actually failed (yet).

Those warranty issues aside, my biggest gripe is that since they rebuilt transfer case the truck just "feels different." It lags b/w shifts (1st and 2nd) and has a difficult time finding the correct gear during acceleration. I took it in a few weeks ago and they said they couldn't fine anything wrong w/ it.

Since I'm a gluten for punishment and I think GM makes the best truck, I priced a "replacement" 2004 Silverado. It's a wash to trade it in and get a new one. Plus, they'll give me a 6 year/100k warranty atop of a pretty solid deal... I'm sure the dealer is very interested in moving some inventory. What do you all think- did I get a lemon and should I simply trade her in and get a new one?

~troutmustard

jhm · January 23, 2004

How can it be a wash to trade it in and get a new one? They wont give you anything near what the truck is worth. Nobody will buy relatively new used vehicles today because you can buy new and get rebates and low or zero financing. Lots of people are stuck owing more than thier ride is worth on the market.

troutmustard · January 23, 2004

A wash in the sense that I won't be upside down on the existing truck, payment wise. I'll lose the 18 months of payments I've paid to date, but my payment on the new one (with a 6 year/100k comprehensive warranty) is actually less than my current payment... Interests rates are cheaper plus the discounts are steep.

My issue is that I don't really want a new truck. Sure, it would be nice and the new interior is pretty sweet but I want a reliable truck I can own long-term. I want actaully OWN the d**n thing and not have perminent monthly payments! I want to know if I'm overreacting to the "funky tranny" part. Is it normal for a GM truck to shutter a bit when finding a gear? Should that snapping sound be a concern longterm? I'm asking if anyone else has had similar issues with their truck and if so what happened?

jhm · January 23, 2004

What you describe is definately not a normal occurence. If the dealer who did the work claims nothing is wrong now, and you are getting a snapping noise and lagging between gears, I suggest contacting GM at the number in the owners manual. They will probably tell you that you are welcome to take it to another dealer for a second opinion. I know because I went thru it for a noise in my truck. If the next guy say's nothing is wrong, it might be time to use your States Lemon Law. You only got 6K left on the warranty, after that is up, it is a whole new ball game.

scottac · January 23, 2004

I think you are talking about a clunking sound. I have the same problem....

correct me if I am wrong but when you shift to reverse from park it is most prevelant. when you shift from reverse to neutral everything sounds fine. from neutral to drive sounds ok sometimes but you can jus "feel" something is wrong.

The clunk is MUCH more prevalent in 4-HI and even more so in 4-LO.

Here is what I have learned about this clunking noise. A lot of people have had this problem. Some say the problem was completely corrected by replacing the slip yoke with a nickel plated slip yoke. Some say that is replacement made their problem worse. A seemingly temporary fix is to take the yoke off and lube it up really good.

I still have not gotten my clunk fixed and it is very annoying.

The main problem I have while driving is it feels like there is a short pause between gears and then when it finds the gear it feels like there is a clunk (or pop) more than you actually hear the Clunk.

This has been my experience. Hopefully it is a little more comforting knowing others have similar troubles.

do a search on this forum for "clunk". I have posted questions on here and there was some decent advice.

Boudreaux38134 · January 23, 2004

I want to know if I'm overreacting to the "funky tranny" part. Is it normal for a GM truck to shutter a bit when finding a gear? Should that snapping sound be a concern longterm? I'm asking if anyone else has had similar issues with their truck and if so what happened?

I have this same issue, and my truck is in the shop right now. I took it in for:

1. The CSK

2. A severe vibration from the transfer case when in 4WD.

3. The dreaded "Clunk" from the driveline.

I'll let you know what they decide when I get my truck back. Thus far though, they have already certified the paperwork and my 100K engine warranty is in the mail as a result of the CSK. I figure if they are willing to give away warranties to cover the noises they can't fix (CSK) they should be willing to cover the tranny under warranty for 100K too. Which is what I am going to push for!

For what it is worth, my truck is an '01 with 24K, and 6 months left on the warranty. Since I owe considerably less than the book value, I plan to keep it regardless of the outcome. Replacing the transmission is much cheaper in my book than starting all over with the monthly payments.

KirbyLW · January 24, 2004

Could someone please help me determine whether I'm in ya'lls boat?

I'll describe all my symptoms, and then you guys can tell me how this is a five dollar fix and make me feel better. Deal? Please?

I had a bone chilling sound suddenly appear under the truck. It wasn't there one day, and then the next it was.

It is a very hollow metalic, clink-clack, tickety, pop, crack sound that sounds for all the world like you're dragging a tin can on a string. I thought something was stuck in one of the wheels.

It sounds very much like it's in the back wheels somewhere, but once it was on the jack, in neutral, I can rotate the wheel and hear the noise. But its so "tinny" sounding that it's hard to tell exactly where it's coming from. Sometimes it sounds like it's up near the front of the drive shaft, perhaps near the xfer case. From just beside the door it sound more like its towards the rear axle.

It's worse in cold than in warm air.

Going from park to reverse results in a LOT of LOUD cracking noises (for a few seconds) that sounds like brittle cast iron being broken and crushed.

Going from reverse into drive and driving results in the crackling sound for a hundred feet or so before it clears up.

Acceleration results in the crackling noise as you reach 3000 rpm, and clears up somewhat after that.

I checked the rear diff fluid and found it very low. xfer case fluid was also just a bit low. Filling the rear diff with regular gear oil has resulted in a lot less noise, but not entirely. (it was an emergency - I will completely flush and replace all the fluid tomorrow with the manufacturer specified stuff) .

Now, the noise is certainly less, but I feel a definate "vibration/rumbling" at higher rpms at highway speed. Enough to fuzz the mirrors slightly. I know it's not tire wear or a wheel bearing going out because the vibration stops entirely when I let off the gas and just coast. Otherwise, you would swear it sounded and felt like a wheel bearing going out. That's the kind of vibration I'm talking about.

In fact, I noticed this vibration a day BEFORE the noise started...

So am I in the "Tranny Question" boat? Or does this sound like something else?

Thanks for all info!

Kirby

scottac · January 24, 2004

I would have to say you are in a different boat. it sounds like you need to get you rear end looked at. I had a friend with a Jeep Cherokee and he descriped a noise in his rear end that sounded like he was dragging an iron pipe or something like that. He ended up needing new gears in his rear diff.

I am no mechanic, but I can say that the symptoms you are having are in no way similar to the symptoms I am having.

I would get it looked at ASAP. that is the best advice I can give you.

Boudreaux38134 · January 24, 2004

Kirby,

I agree with Scott, you most likely have a rear end problem. Your symptoms don't sound anything like the issues I am having.

A cheap shade tree mechanic's method of locating the sound is to put a broom stick handle up against the part and put your ear to it. It functions as a stethoscope and lets you zero in on the sound.

Good luck!

troutmustard · January 26, 2004

I don't really have the dreaded "clunking" sound as much as a loud snapping sound between gears. It's hard to know if it's still doing it cause' I only noticed it when my windows were down and it's, like, cold as $hit up here in the Tundra of MN! That issue seems to have subsided and the whole tranny/shifting has taken over as my main culprit.

This is my problem: The first and second gears, between shifts, lurch forward, then back and finally hit stride somewhere in between the two... then I accellerate. Sometimes, usually from first to second, there's just a shutter before it find its way.

I hate the fact I've these problems with a truck w/ less than 30k miles!

~mustard