Slipping in rear end of 2500HD

sesheldo · December 6, 2001

Hey, all -- long time lurker, first time poster ...

I have a 2001 Chevy 2500HD, about a year old and just flipped 7,000 miles. Yeah, I don't drive much.

A couple weeks ago, I started to notice a slipping feeling around the rear wheels when accellerating from a dead stop. Sort of feels like the tires are momentarily spinning from low traction. This also only happens when coming off ramps from freeway speeds; I notice it every day on the way home from work. It happens once, then is okay around town (at least until more prolonged freeway driving).

I took it into the dealer and they referenced a slip yoke TSB and ordered a new "chrome lined" one from GM. When I brought it back in for the install, they said that they were mistaken -- the TSB was for the 1500 and there was no fix available for the 2500HD at this time. They greased it and said that it should take care of it for the next few thousand miles, but of course the problem cropped up again on the way home.

FWIW, I don't tow anything but a 1,500 pound bass boat and carry 2,000-2,500 pound loads in the bed rather infrequently. So it's not like I'm beating up on the thing.

Any thoughts? I'm obviously going to call the dealership and ask them to take another look tomorrow, but I was hoping someone here had a similar problem and I could point the dealership in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

Kansas Kid · December 6, 2001

What type of cab does your truck have, is it a long or short box, and is it a 4wd? It sounds like it could be caused by a two piece driveshaft, which there is a TSB out for on certain models.

Stepside Z · December 6, 2001

First welcome to the forum. Second does you truck have a rear locker? If it does, then just maybe the cluches in the rear end are not adjusted correctly or defective from the manufacturer. Just a thought.

Shaners · December 6, 2001

Welcome to the forum. There was some discussion about this in the Light-Duty froum about a month ago... here's the link...

intermittent neutral

hoot · December 6, 2001

Did you change the rear fluid yet?

My '97 acted up after a every so often after a highway run. When turning off a ramp, especially going up hill, I would get a nasty chatter and binding in the rear. I was told it was the clutches sticking in the rear. It only did it once in a while. I ignored it. Sold the truck at 80,000 miles. Never had any trouble with the rear. That was a 14 bolt full floater.

ChevyHDGert · December 6, 2001

My 2500HD is over a year old and I only have 7400 miles on mine and mine is slipping too. But my dad is the truck shop manager at the local Chevy dealership and he said that I just need to change my rear end fluid, since I haven't done that yet. He said that the gears aren't catching inside the pumpkin. Mine does it about once a month. It's like I'm peeling out or slipping on wet roads.

Hoot sounds correct.

sesheldo · December 7, 2001

Thanks for the replies.

The truck is an extended cab short box 4x4, 6.0L towing package. I've recently found the driveshaft TSB and will be taking it to the dealership.

Haven't yet changed the rear fluid (haven't done 500 miles of towing yet). Sounds like it might be something to look into, though. I'm surprised the dealership didn't recommend that step.

Thanks again!

Shaners · December 7, 2001

Thanks for the replies.

The truck is an extended cab short box 4x4, 6.0L towing package. I've recently found the driveshaft TSB and will be taking it to the dealership.

Haven't yet changed the rear fluid (haven't done 500 miles of towing yet). Sounds like it might be something to look into, though. I'm surprised the dealership didn't recommend that step.

Thanks again!

Do you think it is the 2-peice driveshaft?