Differential Clunk
Question
Ummm… this was about a limited slip diff. making noise, not the GM clunk rear-end. I think you posted a response to my message instead of the original person who asked about the clunk. Snowman
The GM fix is covered by a TSB which includes both a nickel plated yoke, and a new universal joint. Go round the service writer to the SM in order to get this performed, if he won’t do it. I refuse to pull the driveshaft every service to grease the splines. One dealer nearly bought back a $34, 000 pickup when I presented him with the complaint the third time. Have a great one!~ Bush I don’t exactly know what makes some fail and some not fail. I had a friend that bought a ‘97 F250 light duty. It mades noise from the first week he had it. I told him what it was and he went back to the dealer and told him to MAKE them put in the additive. They changed the oil and he got the same thing, so he took it back again and they did the same thing (no additive). After a few weeks, it did it again. Now, keep in mind this “noise” is bad enough that when I walked beside his truck while he was turning in his barnyard that I could SEE the rear wheel shaking. The next time (3rd) he took it back, they had to put in a new rear-end because the old one was trash. This time, though, they put in the additive like he had told them the other two times. He drove the truck another 50, 000 miles and didn’t have a lick of trouble. I made the short story long, but just wanted to say that I really have seen failures first hand (although it WAS a Ford). To answer your question, though, I would drain the rear-end oil immediately and replace with one of the three options I mentioned earlier. Look for shavings on your magnet inside and signs of abnormal wear. If nothing, then count your blessings and keep on driving when it’s all back together. If you don’t see anything abnormal, then I doubt it would be too late. Regards, Snowman This is interesting news. My truck has been making this noise since I drove it home from the dealer 5 years ago. It had 8 miles on it then and now it has 110, 000. Do you think it is too late to do something about it?Forest, No, it is NOT normal to hear a limited slip when you round a corner if it isfunctioning properly. If this keeps up, you will be putting a new rearendin your truck. You can do one of two things to correct this1) use Mobil 1 or Schaeffer’s gear oil because they don’t require anyadditives for limited slip diff.2) use other gear oils and get the limited slip additive to put in yourdiff., also Regards, Snowman I would suggest taking a look at the rear brakes. I had a similar problem with my 98 K1500 and thought it might be the differential … what itturned out to be was that the drums were “threaded” … I think that is the term for when there is a lip built up inside the drum and it makes the shoes stick. My differential does make clunking sounds but only when I go around corners. I have to be going slow with the windows down to hear it. I think this is normal for the limited slip differential that I have to do that. Forest I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that Istop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
Yup, this happened to my ‘95 Yukon and the grease around the splines was the fix. My ‘99 Suburban is doing it and will get greased in another few weeks when I have the time and I just had the ‘02 2500HD in the shop yesterday for warranty work on a leaking rear axle seal and mentioned the clunk and it’s the same thing only not as loud. I thought they got rid of that issue, but the service rep said it’s still an issue and still uses the same old “fix”! Didn’t hear it the remainder of yesterday or at all today, but the 2500HD was milder and not that frequent. Get out your grease and slip the drive shaft out and lube it up. Save yerself some money! It’s not the rear end, it’s the front slip yoke on your driveshaft binding on the splines of the transmission output shaft. This has been discusses a MILLION times on this ng and is a very common problem. Drop the driveshaft, slop some MOBIL 1 grease INSIDE the yoke and apply a thin layer to the outside of the yoke. Reassemble. Tah dah, the noise is gone. Doc I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
I don’t exactly know what makes some fail and some not fail. I had a friend that bought a ‘97 F250 light duty. It mades noise from the first week he had it. I told him what it was and he went back to the dealer and told him to MAKE them put in the additive. They changed the oil and he got the same thing, so he took it back again and they did the same thing (no additive). After a few weeks, it did it again. Now, keep in mind this “noise” is bad enough that when I walked beside his truck while he was turning in his barnyard that I could SEE the rear wheel shaking. The next time (3rd) he took it back, they had to put in a new rear-end because the old one was trash. This time, though, they put in the additive like he had told them the other two times. He drove the truck another 50, 000 miles and didn’t have a lick of trouble. I made the short story long, but just wanted to say that I really have seen failures first hand (although it WAS a Ford). To answer your question, though, I would drain the rear-end oil immediately and replace with one of the three options I mentioned earlier. Look for shavings on your magnet inside and signs of abnormal wear. If nothing, then count your blessings and keep on driving when it’s all back together. If you don’t see anything abnormal, then I doubt it would be too late. Regards, Snowman
This is interesting news. My truck has been making this noise since I drove it home from the dealer 5 years ago. It had 8 miles on it then and now it has 110, 000. Do you think it is too late to do something about it? Forest, No, it is NOT normal to hear a limited slip when you round a corner if it is functioning properly. If this keeps up, you will be putting a new rearend in your truck. You can do one of two things to correct this 1) use Mobil 1 or Schaeffer’s gear oil because they don’t require any additives for limited slip diff. 2) use other gear oils and get the limited slip additive to put in your diff., also Regards, SnowmanI would suggest taking a look at the rear brakes. I had a similar problemwith my 98 K1500 and thought it might be the differential … what it turnedout to be was that the drums were “threaded” … I think that is the termfor when there is a lip built up inside the drum and it makes the shoesstick.My differential does make clunking sounds but only when I go around corners.I have to be going slow with the windows down to hear it. I think this isnormal for the limited slip differential that I have to do that.ForestI have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stopor take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end.I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normallash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal.Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
The GM fix is covered by a TSB which includes both a nickel plated yoke, and a new universal joint. Go round the service writer to the SM in order to get this performed, if he won’t do it. I refuse to pull the driveshaft every service to grease the splines. One dealer nearly bought back a $34, 000 pickup when I presented him with the complaint the third time. Have a great one!~ Bush I don’t exactly know what makes some fail and some not fail. I had a friend that bought a ‘97 F250 light duty. It mades noise from the first week he had it. I told him what it was and he went back to the dealer and told him to MAKE them put in the additive. They changed the oil and he got the same thing, so he took it back again and they did the same thing (no additive). After a few weeks, it did it again. Now, keep in mind this “noise” is bad enough that when I walked beside his truck while he was turning in his barnyard that I could SEE the rear wheel shaking. The next time (3rd) he took it back, they had to put in a new rear-end because the old one was trash. This time, though, they put in the additive like he had told them the other two times. He drove the truck another 50, 000 miles and didn’t have a lick of trouble. I made the short story long, but just wanted to say that I really have seen failures first hand (although it WAS a Ford). To answer your question, though, I would drain the rear-end oil immediately and replace with one of the three options I mentioned earlier. Look for shavings on your magnet inside and signs of abnormal wear. If nothing, then count your blessings and keep on driving when it’s all back together. If you don’t see anything abnormal, then I doubt it would be too late. Regards, Snowman This is interesting news. My truck has been making this noise since I drove it home from the dealer 5 years ago. It had 8 miles on it then and now it has 110, 000. Do you think it is too late to do something about it?Forest, No, it is NOT normal to hear a limited slip when you round a corner if it isfunctioning properly. If this keeps up, you will be putting a new rearendin your truck. You can do one of two things to correct this1) use Mobil 1 or Schaeffer’s gear oil because they don’t require anyadditives for limited slip diff.2) use other gear oils and get the limited slip additive to put in yourdiff., alsoRegards, Snowman I would suggest taking a look at the rear brakes. I had a similar problem with my 98 K1500 and thought it might be the differential … what itturned out to be was that the drums were “threaded” … I think that is the term for when there is a lip built up inside the drum and it makes the shoes stick. My differential does make clunking sounds but only when I go around corners. I have to be going slow with the windows down to hear it. I think this is normal for the limited slip differential that I have to do that. Forest I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that Istop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
This is interesting news. My truck has been making this noise since I drove it home from the dealer 5 years ago. It had 8 miles on it then and now it has 110, 000. Do you think it is too late to do something about it?
Forest, No, it is NOT normal to hear a limited slip when you round a corner if it is functioning properly. If this keeps up, you will be putting a new rearend in your truck. You can do one of two things to correct this 1) use Mobil 1 or Schaeffer’s gear oil because they don’t require any additives for limited slip diff. 2) use other gear oils and get the limited slip additive to put in your diff., also Regards, Snowman I would suggest taking a look at the rear brakes. I had a similar problem with my 98 K1500 and thought it might be the differential … what it turned out to be was that the drums were “threaded” … I think that is the term for when there is a lip built up inside the drum and it makes the shoes stick. My differential does make clunking sounds but only when I go around corners. I have to be going slow with the windows down to hear it. I think this is normal for the limited slip differential that I have to do that. Forest I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
It’s not the rear end, it’s the front slip yoke on your driveshaft binding on the splines of the transmission output shaft. This has been discusses a MILLION times on this ng and is a very common problem. Drop the driveshaft, slop some MOBIL 1 grease INSIDE the yoke and apply a thin layer to the outside of the yoke. Reassemble. Tah dah, the noise is gone. Doc I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
Forest, No, it is NOT normal to hear a limited slip when you round a corner if it is functioning properly. If this keeps up, you will be putting a new rearend in your truck. You can do one of two things to correct this 1) use Mobil 1 or Schaeffer’s gear oil because they don’t require any additives for limited slip diff. 2) use other gear oils and get the limited slip additive to put in your diff., also Regards, Snowman
I would suggest taking a look at the rear brakes. I had a similar problem with my 98 K1500 and thought it might be the differential … what it turned out to be was that the drums were “threaded” … I think that is the term for when there is a lip built up inside the drum and it makes the shoes stick. My differential does make clunking sounds but only when I go around corners. I have to be going slow with the windows down to hear it. I think this is normal for the limited slip differential that I have to do that. Forest I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated U-Joints maybe? Adair
Response
I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated U-Joints maybe?
My 99 burb had a ticking noise for months and then one day it started a deep humming sound that was its worst around 65. I drove on the Interstate for about 70 miles after the humming started and it got way worse. Sears told me it was the rear U-joint but they couldn’t fix it cause they needed a torch to get the old one out or something like that. Pep boys did both u joints for $100. The humming and ticking are gone now. It is quieter over all now as well. I am 40 years old and this is the first u-joint I have ever had go bad, and this is the nicest most expensive vehicle I have ever owned. Bob Muse – Adair
Response
I would suggest taking a look at the rear brakes. I had a similar problem with my 98 K1500 and thought it might be the differential … what it turned out to be was that the drums were “threaded” … I think that is the term for when there is a lip built up inside the drum and it makes the shoes stick. My differential does make clunking sounds but only when I go around corners. I have to be going slow with the windows down to hear it. I think this is normal for the limited slip differential that I have to do that. Forest
I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
I have a 96 Chevy Silverado 4×4. I have noticed that every time that I stop or take off from a dead stop, I hear a clunk sound coming from the rear-end. I was wondering if anybody else has this problem, or is this just normal lash. I have read a few bulletins on this and they said this was normal. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Response
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