Drive-Line Clunk when stopping

[NothinButBowTies]

Guys

I have always noticed a clunk when stopping. Lately it has become more and more noticeable. Any ideas? My guess is a bad u joint?

[bobcat5544]

Document ID# 1580377

2003 GMC Truck GMC K Sierra - 4WD

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Subject: Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke) #01-04-17-004B - (01/05/2005)

Models:

1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade (Old Style)

2002-2004 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT

2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV

1996-1999 Chevrolet 1500 Series Extended Cab Short Box Pickup (Old Style)

1996-1999 Chevrolet 1500 Series Regular Cab Pickup and Utility Models (Old Style)

1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab Short Box (New Style)

1999-2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Series Regular Cab (New Style)

2000-2004 Chevrolet 1500 Series Avalanche, Suburban and Tahoe

2001-2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 Series Regular Cab with Long Bed or Extended Cab (New Style)

2001-2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Series Crew Cab, Short Box (New Style)

1996-1999 GMC 1500 Series Extended Cab Short Box Pickup (Old Style)

1996-1999 GMC 1500 Series Regular Cab Pickup and Utility Models (Old Style)

1999-2002 GMC Sierra Extended Cab Short Box (New Style)

1999-2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Series Regular Cab (New Style)

2000-2004 GMC 1500 Series Yukon, Yukon XL

2001-2004 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Series Regular Cab with Long Bed or Extended Cab (New Style)

2001-2004 GMC Sierra 2500 Series Crew Cab, Short Box (New Style)

2003-2005 HUMMER H2

with Four Wheel Drive (4WD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD) and One-Piece Propeller Shaft ONLY

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This bulletin is being revised to add Cadillac Escalade (Old Style) and HUMMER H2 to the Models section. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-04-17-004A (Section 04 -- Driveline/Axle).

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Condition

Some customers may comment on a clunk, bump or squawk noise when the vehicle comes to a stop or when accelerating from a complete stop.

 

Cause

A slip/stick condition between the transfer case output shaft and the driveshaft slip yoke may cause this condition.

 

Diagnostic Tips

There are several resources in the electronic Service Information System which can provide the technician with information on diagnosis and repair of clunk conditions, and fix the customer's vehicle right the first time without unnecessary parts replacement. Some of the documents available in SI include:

 

• Symptoms - Propeller Shaft (SI Document ID #697266)

 

• Knock or Clunk Noise (SI Document ID #697290)

 

• Rear Drive Axle Noises (SI Document ID #700580)

 

• Launch Shudder/Vibration on Acceleration (Replace Propeller Shaft and Install a New Pinion Flange/Seal), Bulletin #02-04-17-001

 

• Information on 2-3 Upshift or 3-2 Downshift Clunk Noise, Bulletin #01-07-30-042

 

• Driveline Clunk When Stopping (Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Bulletin #03-07-30-028

 

Correction

Replace the rear drive shaft slip yoke with a new nickel-plated slip yoke.

[4doorluv]

i drive an 02 box truck at work and that thing clunks when ever i put it in gear, i just fig its cuz the d**n thing is huge

[I-H8-4Ds]

I have a small noise like that on my 2005 2wd, and wondered if it is axle wrap??

[dewfpo]

If it is slip yoke binding (very, very common), then the GM teflon grease will definitely help for a while. I just greased up the slip yoke on my other truck (old ford) yesterday for this very reason. When u-joints start to go, they often 'creak' for a while first. BTDT several times.

 

DEWFPO

[svensk]

Whats a cost estimate on the yoke replacement?

[NothinButBowTies]

Thanks you guys for the help.

 

As a side note: My truck is out of warranty, but my service advisor is going to get replaced by GM as a good faith thing.

He told me that GM does not do the plating. They send them several new yokes and a 3rd party plates them.

[ken1mod]

I have been driving trucks with leaf springs for a long time. they all seem to have the clunk on start or stop. I first was paralysed by the thought that it was the slip yoke and spent many hours chasing this demon. In ALL cases it was rear spring wrap up.

 

I installed new rubber interleaf spring buffers made out of old radiator hose pushed over the ends of the bottom two leaves per someones thought right here. problem solved.

 

This problem is why leaf springs are never used on passenger cars but the other advantages of leaf springs on trucks are why they are used here. try the hose thing and I think you will be pleased. besides that the experiment is free. remember, always do the cheap things first.

 

Ken

[bobcat5544]

Whats a cost estimate on the yoke replacement?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

DEPENDING ON YEAR MAKE MODEL

PART COST

$200-$300

LABOR ABOUT 1 HOUR TO INSTALL

[NothinButBowTies]

I have been driving trucks with leaf springs for a long time.  they all seem to have the clunk on start or stop.  I first was paralysed by the thought that it was the slip yoke and spent many hours chasing this demon.  In ALL cases it was rear spring wrap up.

 

I installed new rubber interleaf spring buffers made out of old radiator hose pushed over the ends of the bottom two leaves per someones thought right here.  problem solved.

 

This problem is why leaf springs are never used on passenger cars but the other advantages of leaf springs on trucks are why they are used here.  try the hose thing and I think you will be pleased.  besides that the experiment is free.  remember, always do the cheap things first.

 

Ken

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Ken - can you tak a picture of this for me? I will try that this weekend!