05 Sierra 1500 5.3

[ProSport Tim]

First off the truck has 1050 miles on her. Changed to Mobil 1 filter and oil at 650 miles. Sometimes when I go from neutral to drive or to reverse the tranny clunks. Almost a "Doonngggg" into gear, if that makes sense. Then when it downshifts coming to a stop, fast, I can really feel it downshifting and the rpm's increase with each shift. Is this the infamous GM clunking I'm reading about? I had my dad hop in and listen and he told me all trucks do it? (this is my first). Secondly my doors shut like crap. I have to put some effort into closing them. My bud has an 01 silverado and his doors shut nice and smooth. I can hear air flowing out the vent from the back of the cab when I shut mine. Dealer says it's due to it being so new and not broken in yet. I call BS, what you guys think? Lastly, I have the pro sport kit with the corsa exhaust. Why does every single GM car, truck whatever have the left muffler hanging down lower than the right? Whether it be a grand prix, grand am, cavalier, sunfire, silverado or my rig? They all seem to have this issue. It's annoying when you're looking at it from the back. Anyhow that's all for now. So am I being a paranoid newbie truck owner or do I have some decent concerns after spending 30k?

 

TIA

Tim

[biochemist]

First off the truck has 1050 miles on her.  Changed to Mobil 1 filter and oil at 650 miles.  Sometimes when I go from neutral to drive or to reverse the tranny clunks.  Almost a "Doonngggg" into gear, if that makes sense.  Then when it downshifts coming to a stop, fast, I can really feel it downshifting and the rpm's increase with each shift.  Is this the infamous GM clunking I'm reading about?  I had my dad hop in and listen and he told me all trucks do it?  (this is my first).  Secondly my doors shut like crap.  I have to put some effort into closing them.  My bud has an 01 silverado and his doors shut nice and smooth.  I can hear air flowing out the vent from the back of the cab when I shut mine.  Dealer says it's due to it being so new and not broken in yet.  I call BS, what you guys think?  Lastly, I have the pro sport kit with the corsa exhaust.  Why does every single GM car, truck whatever have the left muffler hanging down lower than the right?  Whether it be a grand prix, grand am, cavalier, sunfire, silverado or my rig?  They all seem to have this issue.  It's annoying when you're looking at it from the back.  Anyhow that's all for now.  So am I being a paranoid newbie truck owner or do I have some decent concerns after spending 30k?

 

TIA

Tim

 

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Hey there, my 'rado makes the same noises...most do I think, I have tested because I was concerned also as you are (also, remember some people do not care what noises are made as long as they get to where they are going...most of us are observant, maybe too much so ). This is my first 4x4 and I had questions about shifting etc. as you do..I have had her checked out, normal, and I pay attention to everything, just ask my service dept... My dad also drove around for a bit, he was a mechanic (heavy equipment as well as auto/truck) for 40+years...same response as your dad, all trucks do it, he has driven many too. My service guy at my dealership says he thinks the transmission shifts too soft on alll the trucks...he prefers as do many others here on the forum, a quick firm/hard shift, down and upshift, you could use Tow/Haul mode I suppose, it adjusts the characteristics more in line with what most people seem to like. My dad also commented on how nice mine shifts, but said he also likes a quick/firm shift, programmer can get this done if that is what you like, or a custom tune of course... Look for Transgo kits on this site...some people say here and elsewhere it snaps your head back when it shifts after installing depending on options you install (not sure of the technical terms but you get the point), maybe even breaks the tires loose (chirp)...To me, that would be a way to firm, but it depends on the person . Downshifting will make the RPM's rise BTW, just the reverse of upshifting, ever driven a manual? The reverse clunck is just driveline lash, built in for longevity. I have heard others do it right from the lot. Think about it, what would the drivetrain do if there were no clearances between the gears?...Anyway, l talked about these issues with many dealers, second, third etc opinions...no issues/problems, some even own 04's and 05's, say it may not sound great sometimes but it is a truck and they have never seen any issues or causing of problems. While I have not driven one, the Allison is really supposed to have some hard shifts...so much so they had to send a video out a few years back about the characteristics and what to expect (my brother works for Allison Transmission) The door issue, when mine was brand new, I had to shut them a bit harder than I do now...just takes time...those seals are thick, on the Extcab anyway...I still have to shut them, they will not close on by themselves, but that is fine with me . I think you are just being observant about your new rig, no problem with that at all, as long as your dealer is patient and willing to explain how your truck operates, you will learn about it...My dealer is great about my questions, let me stop by a test a new one just to educate me and show me that it is normal...some dealers are not this way, it is one thing to say something is normal, but the best way is to hop in a new one and see for yourself, your fine though, enjoy your new truck.....hope this helps, what other mods do you have planned, any specifics, or pics in the garage, how about a signature? I am sure others will chime in too, later,

[Garage Mechanic's Companion]

Regarding the shift firmness, the Transgo HD 2 kit that I installed allows you to tune the shift firmness through shimming of the accumulator. I went with the mildest setting, which is much more crisp than stock. During normal acceleration, you hardly notice the difference over stock, other than the tach needle drops alot quicker. If you are accelerating to the point where the trans is shifting >3500 rpm or upshifting manually, the 1-2 shift is very pronounced. Not a neck snapper, more of a firm boot in the drawers. Feels nice in my opinion.

 

Conversely, this kit also allows you to manually down shift at any speed to any gear. Nice feature when pulling a trailer and make the truck much more predictable to drive while downshifting. With the stock setup, if you demanded a manual 2-1 downshift, the trans would only do it at it's leisure, which I really didn't care for. The kit fixed that.

 

HTH,

 

Derek

[ProSport Tim]

BIO-thanks a million man, you just lowered my Blood Pressure 20 points. The tranny isn't bad when it shifts it's if I'm sitting still with the break on and put it in drive it kinda clunks in "sometimes" and jolts the truck a tad. But I get what you're saying about tolerances. The door thing, you answered that too. Exactly what I thought. The truck already has the pro sport on it which alleviated alot of $$ from my pocket as I got it virtually free with my deal. I plan on putting a Westin chrome bashbar, custom grill(I like Karlitos), chrome tailights guards and the best mod, My 2002 XR650R bike in the bike. First day I got it was February 12th and I strapped my dirtbike in it and just drove around. Best feeling in the world. Thanks again for the input guys.. I'll be updating my sig and garage pics as soon as my puter at home is replaced with a new one. Again Thanks! Great site!!

[biochemist]

BIO-thanks a million man, you just lowered my Blood Pressure 20 points.  The tranny isn't bad when it shifts it's if I'm sitting still with the break on and put it in drive it kinda clunks in "sometimes" and jolts the truck a tad.  But I get what you're saying about tolerances.  The door thing, you answered that too.  Exactly what I thought.  The truck already has the pro sport on it which alleviated alot of $$ from my pocket as I got it virtually free with my deal.  I plan on putting a Westin chrome bashbar, custom grill(I like Karlitos), chrome tailights guards and the best mod, My 2002 XR650R bike in the bike.  First day I got it was February 12th and I strapped my dirtbike in it and just drove around.  Best feeling in the world.  Thanks again for the input guys..    I'll be updating my sig and garage pics as soon as my puter at home is replaced with a new one.  Again Thanks!  Great site!!

 

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No problem , there are a lot of us that have had those exact questions...that have not been around trucks that much...let us see those pics ...what grill does Karlitos have?...I will look around. I ordered a Putco Virtual yesterday...those are cool looking , little bit larger tubes than the shadow and other versions...I think it looks great on the 'Rado's...will post pics...this is a great site, I agree totally...later,