transmission hard shift/intermediate steering shaf

olson03 · October 24, 2006

I have a 2003 silverado 4x4, 5.3 xtra cab 89000k I have 2 problems with. First problem is the transmission, once the trans warms up about every third shift i get a real bang on the 1-2 shift. It also has a kind of delayed shift where it will shift into 2nd gear and after about a second there is a lurch like the clutches are engaging. I have a read about some valve replacements that may cure this kind of thing but haven't really seen anything detailed. The other problem I have is that it has developed a clunk in the steering, i've read a lot about the intermediate steering shaft fix with the grease kit or replacement shaft. Which should i do? thanks

Brain · October 25, 2006

Buy the grease kit it works for the clunking noise

lpm51 · October 26, 2006

I have a 2003 silverado 4x4, 5.3 xtra cab 89000k I have 2 problems with. First problem is the transmission, once the trans warms up about every third shift i get a real bang on the 1-2 shift. It also has a kind of delayed shift where it will shift into 2nd gear and after about a second there is a lurch like the clutches are engaging. I have a read about some valve replacements that may cure this kind of thing but haven't really seen anything detailed. The other problem I have is that it has developed a clunk in the steering, i've read a lot about the intermediate steering shaft fix with the grease kit or replacement shaft. Which should i do? thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had the same problem with the 1-2 HARD shift. Had quotes of total rebuild etc. Took to a trans shop(racing). He advised GM has problems with the valve body in the trans. He bored out the valve piston (?) on the new valve body. Instead of over $1,200 repair I had it repaired for $275.00

olson03 · October 26, 2006

I had the same problem with the 1-2 HARD shift. Had quotes of total rebuild etc. Took to a trans shop(racing). He advised GM has problems with the valve body in the trans. He bored out the valve piston (?) on the new valve body. Instead of over $1,200 repair I had it repaired for $275.00

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I found this TSB by doing a search on this forum, I'll check into it on the weekend

and see about pricing for the repair, I'm going to buy the grease kit for the steering and do that on saturday as well, I found a excellent step by step guide with pictures on one of the different forums. I will also check at a few transmission shops to see what they have to say on the valve body problem as I have read a bit about that before also. Thanks for the replies, I'll post on Monday what I find out for those who care.

Subject: Transmission Has a Harsh 1-2 Shift, Slipping 1-2 Shift Followed by a Harsh Engagement (Replace Pressure Control Solenoid and Reprogram PCM on Certain Models) #03-07-30-020D - (05/05/2005)

Models: 2003 Cadillac Escalade

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe

2003 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL

with 4.8L or 5.3L V8 Engine and 4L60-E Automatic Transmission (RPO M30)

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This bulletin is being revised to replace labor code K5364 with labor code J6355. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-07-30-020D (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).

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Condition

Some customers may comment on a harsh 1-2 shift, 1-2 slip shift that has a bump feeling when 2nd gear engages.

Correction

For 2003 model year vehicles produced prior to April 1, 2003, replace the Pressure Control Solenoid (PCS). Refer to the Control and Shift Solenoid Replacement procedure in the Transmission sub-section of the Service Manual (SI Document ID #825149). Also, reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

For 2003 model year vehicles produced on or after April 1, 2003, reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Parts Information

Part Number

Description

24230632

Solenoid, pressure Control

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

FOR 2003 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 2003

olson03 · October 30, 2006

I did the grease kit on saturday and it worked fine, the steering no longer has the knocking. I took the truck to one of the local transmission places and had them do a test drive, the tech definately noticed some issues but said that without a scanner its hard to see whats going on, they had scanned it at the shop to see if any codes were up but nothing came up. Have an appointment this afternoon at gm to take a tech for a ride with the scanner and we'll see if anythings up with that.

carneyman · October 30, 2006

I did the grease kit on saturday and it worked fine, the steering no longer has the knocking. I took the truck to one of the local transmission places and had them do a test drive, the tech definately noticed some issues but said that without a scanner its hard to see whats going on, they had scanned it at the shop to see if any codes were up but nothing came up. Have an appointment this afternoon at gm to take a tech for a ride with the scanner and we'll see if anythings up with that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let us know what you find...mine just started doing it...only thing is, it says its for '03, and mine is an '02...wonder what the difference would be.

olson03 · October 31, 2006

Well, we took it for a drive with the scanner and not much came up, the trans doesn't always do the hard shift so of course when the tech was driving it he had a hard time replicating the problem. We went back to the shop and he pulled out the TSB from above. 75$ cdn for the part, .4 hr to reprogram the trans module, and 1.0 or so to install. So total at that shop would be about $350, I'm not convinced that is the problem so I'm going to go back the the trans shop I was at on the weekend and get them to drive it and see what they say. I'll probably end up doing the job to see if that helps, hopefully the tranny shop is a little cheaper but $350 isn't too bad.

olson03 · October 31, 2006

Well, well, well, after thinking about my transmission problems on the way to work this morning I concluded that the 1-2 shift wasn't all that hard and my real issue is the "clunking" sound on the 2-3 upshift/downshift. Well, after running a search of the posts here I found all the sections relating to the 2-3 clunk. So it looks like the diagnosis is done. After googling the problem I see that there doesn't seem to be a lot that can be done about it. I may try greasing the slip yoke to see if that makes any difference, and I am due up for fluid changes in trans/transfer/diffs. I'll do those and see if there is any appreciable difference. It is a bit of a relief to know that the problem is a common one and according to gm not something that will cause any problems with the truck. Annoying as heck but I guess I'll have to live with it.