2007 Chevrolet Silverado Clunk Noise Fix 

Good observation. While that does work to make the noise go away, it may be temporary. That shield may have been bent at some point, I don't believe it should contact the housing at all. Another way to fix it may be to add some washers to the aft bolts placing them between the crossmember and the plate. That would force the rear of the plate to move downward away from the housing. Thanks for the video.

All you have to do is to install a 1/4 spacer on the rear bolts, when you tighten up the front bolts it will drop the skid plate down in the rear. If you think it drops to much go to 1/8"

Thanks for the video. I had this clunk noise under my truck for over a year. I found it was 2 loose bolts on the transfer case. Fixed after I tightened them. I am like Ren and Stimpy Happy now.

My former truck had the same issue - 2007 Silverado 1500. Yes, the problem has been around for a while. TSBs (tech service bulletin) were finally issued, but I don't know about a recall. The stealership tried the grease approach at first and it helped a little. The next step was to replace the yoke. Luckily, my vehicle was still under warranty and this was covered. Problem solved. The plating was incomplete or inadequate from the manufacturer on the splines and a binding/sticking occurs when the shaft finally slips with a thump. From what I can see by the forums and comments online from people looking for an answer, a TON of Ford and GM trucks experienced the problem.

Found same problem. Tranny mount worn giving off to much flex. Took some vice grips and bent down the area and good to go. Good Vid my friend, this will help a lot of people.

This is a great video and a great find by Cobra. this is a really hard problem to find and repair since you cant create the noise too easily. The noise that cobra complains of if there is no noise whatsoever then you will be good for a while. The problem is actually a tad simpler than that. As others have mentioned the tape is a bandaid and a couple washers between the plate and the crossmember and the plate will lower the plate. The actiual cause is the crossmember is not totally secured in place The crossmember is moving up and down and that is causing this plate to tap the transfer case. The fix is to remove the crossmember, Clean off all the under coating in the mating surfaces such that tightening the bolt will compress only metal and replace the bolts using HARDENED 9/16 or 14mm ID washers on both sides of the bolt so the bolts have a larger girth of compression and sock all four of them back up to 89 foot pounds. that is the actual issue. then you are done. if you have this clunking and cannot find it. it is the cross member as the #1 and the #2 is the tosion bar cross,member supports mounted to the frame with rivets which are slotted. the issue with them is thet the rivets while affixed to the outside, the bracket comes loose on teh inside and also they take a lot of stress. Again, nice job on this video and find. When this comes back next time, just take off the crossmember and do as above and that will be the end of it..... hope this helps...

You do realize that the reason why the transfer case is sitting that low is because the transmission motor mount is messed up. The transfer case is supposed to be about an inch away from that plate, not sitting on it. BTW, if that motor mount is messed up you should check the driver engine mount as well.

Just a thought : why not place and stack 3/4" washers on the underside of those 15 MM bolts. Maybe 2, 3 or 4 (depending on length of bolts and clearance necessary) .on the threaded bolt holes to the frame . Place sufficient washers on each bolt between the frame and the underside of the guard. To increase the clearance distance. Tighten down the bolts. Maybe the washers with the guard will now give you more clearance and make it a more rigid fix with less flexing at the rear of the shield. You can even get a piece of 1/8" or 1/2" high temp rubber fluid hose. Slit it down the middle then use as edging guard and place along edge at end of Guard. Where it may make contact. If it does hit, the rubber hose will act as an absorber. The tape you installed will eventually give over time, you will be revisiting this problem . Just a suggestion. I hope that helps . Semper fi.

replace the transmission mount with an Energy Suspension mount, the 1/8 to 1/4 inch more height will clear the skid plate.

As long as my trucks make their noises I know everything is all good

That tape will wear through and the sound will be back. I agree with the other posts, either bend it down so it does not contact the T case or use some washers for spacers where it bolts to the frame. The tape is a temp fix for sure.

At least you found the problem,thanks, will try on my truck. You have some good ideas and extra help from others can cause us all to learn more from your experience.

Just a warning. There is a mention of greasing the drive shaft yoke. Don't do this if you own a 4x4. Grease can leach into the transfer case and ruin it. 4x4 should only use ATF (automatic transmission fluid) to lube the yoke going into the case. See GM service bulletin online. Just my 2 cents.

The "stoplight bump" is actually a misaligned drive shaft angle into the transfer case. People complain of a "bump" sound after coming to a complete stop at a light or stop sign. Or after releasing the brake to move forward from a stop. The slip splines bind during breaking and cause the noise. A 2 piece drive shaft and carrier bearing is the fix.

Pry bar , bend it down. done.

That's the driver side motor mount that's bad. It's common since 2004 models.

Im praying this is the problem. Thanks msn!

Wow, I've got an 06 Z and it's done the exact same thing for years; I just went and crawled up under it to confirm the same noise and setup; tomorrow, I'm going to take the shield off and try to bend it about 1/4" or so, to get it away from the trans housing- hoping that'll take care of my noise to as it drives me nuts!

Ya could also put about 1/8 to 1/4" spacer under the bolts to keep it further away from tcase. I don’t think my Yukon has the plate...but I'm going to check now.

Also for others, 2011 believe, its also a bushing on a bar that travels down next to frame. 2 of them. Torque bars ? Sits about rear of cab, bushing. Plus another, 2008 clunk found. 4 door mine. Lift the rear seat up & press on the center floor hump. Yup weak spot, it pops in & out loudly ! Still pending on finding more.

if you're gonna drive a 4x4 you must know the difference between a transfer case and a transmission.

Thanks for video, but you either have a concern with a bad transmission mount or the transfer case shield is bent.

.. Continued...Consider bending this skid plate down at an angle great enough to prevent contact between the two surfaces in any situation ranging from torque or rough terrain. This skid plate may actually act as a flat-head shovel in off-road situations while the vehicle is navigating in reverse out of an obstacle/obstruction. This may lead to greater issues. Thus, I would recommend keeping it nice and snug to the t-case. Also, there is a groove in the TC that the plate is designed to rest in.

One of those things you go to fix and make a bigger problem thinking back...I should have just dealt with that little clank noise

Yeah man, nice!!! Always great to find/fix this shit yourself. Great job!

Thanx so much man. Ive just bought this 2006 Silverado and it was making this noise only when I powered up I was worried it was something serious. I almost pulled the drive shaft and I thought ill check youtube b4 I start. Good video Great info . Thank you.

This sounds very similar to my clunking noise. Took to the dealer several times and had a very dedicated technician and he eventually discovered a transmission mount that needed to be reset. Solved the problem for me.

i responded before watching the whole video. hopefully you got lucky and you didn't damage your transfer case by using grease on the splines for a (hopefully) bent rock shield. otherwise, if the shield didn't get bent, there's a reason the case is resting on it. broken trans mount?

Good video. What's your experience with this? 2005 Yukon, 5.3L 4x4, 223,000 miles, all stock, daily driver. I can just hear a clicking sound that varies with wheel speed (not rpms) when all else is quiet in cab and windows are down, driving next to a wall or barrier, at 10/15 mph or faster. But ONLY under load with accelerator pressed. Does not click when coasting, or not moving. Comes from under vehicle. I figure either driveshaft u-joint or rear wheel bearing, or maybe parking brake hardware (park brake is out of adjustment), but what do you think? U-joints look ok. A smidgen of play that I can feel but not really see, by hand, same on both ends. Not tight or blown out. Sealed type. Many thanks!

Thanks for the video is a great way to get a fix that problem with the noise

I've got an old 1998 Silverado 4X4 that clunks. I will check this out before I spend $2000 in noise checks. Thanks Bruce Pender

Glad you found it!

This particular skid plate has four bolts that secure the front, but nothing to secure the rear to the transfer case. The rear rests in a groove milled in the transfer case. When front bolts are tight everything seems fine until there is torque applied to the drive-line. Poor Design that could benefit from at least two fasteners to secure the rear of the plate to the transfer case. It has been 15 months with no clunk. But, I do plan to remove the double sided tape and go with a high temp gasket material to dampen the contact between the two metal surfaces. I will update this video to include the clunk noise with nothing between the plate and case. Also, show how it appears to be a tight secure fit, and not a bent plate. Thanks for the complements and input, I posted this because I would have liked to have found something like this before i drove the truck for a year clunking all over town before finally figuring out the cause.

instead of 2 sided tape.... maybe a piece of old rubber tube. Either way, am glad you got if fixed

yeah, bend it down an inch or stick a couple washers onto the two rearmost bolts between the plate and the engine block so it will cause a slight larger separation and do away with the noise.

That skid plate is not actually supposed to be against the transfer case like that. I am a mechanic and I worked a GM dealer for a long time, people would come in for warranty for that same noise, actually had some that it end up being more than noise, that skid plate actually wore a groove in the bottom of the housing under the drain plug, and it was leaking through. Best idea there is to bend that skid plate down.

Transmission mount has collapsed or skid plate has bent up.

Hey bud, you can put some extra washers on those four bolts on the other side it will lower the skid shild just enough. or shock absober bushing with longer bolts if needed.

You sir are a savior

Put a rubber cushion in between it. They sell rubber gasket maker at the hardware store. It's about a 4"x4" square and a 1/4 inch thick.

@Todd- I agree, only ATF on yoke. The Grease was a reach to figure out the clunk.

Maybe the transmission mount is going bad causing the trans to flex.

dude that's funny, I had the same issue/concern, fixed thanks.

My suggestion : bend the plate down about an inch : Done. Eventually ,anything you put between that and the casing it's gonna wiggle out or fall out

you should replace your transmission mount it is most likely wore out

Terible and dumb hack patch of the problem. The plate doesn't look scraped or visibly bent, so the more likely source of your problem is a slumping or failure of your rubber transmission mount, lettign things droop enough to where your transfer case contacts the plate. Fix it PROPERLY, instead of that bullshit tape.

Shoot! I thought you had my problem with my 07 figured out but it's a 2wd. I like you,I have done all the web has to offer and no change.but I have no skid plate.But it's worth looking in to on my 06 tho,it is 4wd and A bit clunky as well lol.

It's a nice truck, I got one too. It also makes noises when I put it in drive but I don't accelerate. It makes like little rattling noise. It could be the cover that protects the transmission and engine

Clearly, that sound is not a "clunk" sound, but rather a "clank," or a "tank" sound...

Nice vid. Thanks. I'd just knuckle onto the heat shield and bend it down a bit. But whatever works.

Engine mounts or transmission mounts seem like might be the problem I had same problem when I takeoff from stop position end up being a bad motor mount

cool vid, I would agree with it being an engine mount or trans mount, is why case is getting excessive movement, think of that plate as a warrning system to a worse to come problem if you don't fix the real cause

Could just bend it down an inch or so for clearance

That'd be the transfer case, and that's a skid plate. Not heat shield. Lol. Annnnnddddd they aren't screws. They are bolts. :)

I'm sure you've already dealt with this issue however my two cents to counter everyone saying "Just Bend it down and be done with it" can also consider the opposite. Take the shield off and bend it UP. That way when you install it it will be SNUG up against the metal of the T-Case. If that doesn't fix it then look into what could be allowing all the movement causing it to "clunk" It doesn't do that from factory and is an indicator that something else could be causing abnormal movement in your drive line. As others have said it seems engine mounts wear out and transmission/ t-case mounting bolts loosen or stretch over time.

1:15 Should one really be making instructional videos if they can't tell the difference in a transfer case and transmission?

I have a similar jiggling knock problem but associated with bumps and not engine RPM. I don't think this is it, but I would just bend that thing a bit or add a lock washer on each bolt to create space. You probably bumped it on something and bent it.

I would just bend the plate away from the t-case. Or you could of put in some spacers on the bolts to bring that shield away. Red Green would approve of your method though, as he says if you can't fix it Duck it!

Agree my 07 LS came with bushings for spacers. Think they fixed the problem in some idk

So tape seemed like a better fix than washers/spacers, bending the plate, or actually just fixing the mount?

Loosen and install hammer handle. Tighten till torqued. Loosen and remove hammer. Just a "been there done that" thing. Edit.: remove it. You prob not going into the woods anyway?

I'm pretty sure that bash plate shouldn't be touching the transfer case. you might wanna bend it down a little before that tape wears out and your clunks back.

Just install few washers on the front bolts between the shield and the car , and do the bolts up !

Good call, I'm gonna have to take a look at those on my 05.

Check the transfer case mount its most likely worn out.

I know this video is almost 5 years old. Transfer Case Skid Plate is Bent upwards a little, or transmission mount is bad.

That's a band-aid fix. whatever jolt causes the "clank or click" is STILL THERE! something is jolting the Trans and that is still there. Doesnt seem like an issue but an annoyance but I would still want to know the real issue.

torsion bar mount bushings will let it make a chunk when you drive slow also . my 04 1500 chevy does it . fyi

After I replaced the seized U joint and greased the Stine all the clunk was gone.

It's a heat shield to protect from heat. That same heat will fry the tape, possibly starting a fire. I don't think I'd do that.

Your transmission mount is worn out macking your transfer case hang lower then before

Put some washers in between the skid plate & crossmember..I wouldnt use a bar for the risk of cracking or breaking any thing on my new truck..

Its just going to eat through that in no time. Listen to the other comments.

well, either put some rubber washers von it, or turn the radio up, preferably to some Hank Jr ., a country boy can survive, or some other suitable music.

Good work my friend I have same problem..thank u sir...

With the screws tight can you pull it away from the transfer case, yes I mean bend it away so there is like a 1/2" space, then problem gone but it's still there for safety reasons!

When dose the noise appears. My tahoe clunks at startup only i donow sounds like the the torque converter.

Handsome truck you got there.

Maybe check your rear transmission mount, could be deteriorated and cracked.

it is contacting because it got bent up. heat it and bend it down. it already saved the transfer case once obviously or it wouldnt be touching it..should be about an inch down..

A pair of fat washers on the front two bolts will angle the plate off the transfer case. The plate is not supposed to be in contact and any repair like this with the word "tape" should be rethought.

It your transmission mount

Sweet truck dude! I have the same yoke issue on my GMC.

I have a 2009 4.8 liter V8 it's making a similar nose thanks for the video hopefully it'll be very

Right, that pan is bent. I bet if you think back a year ago last time you were off road you heard something hit the bottom of the truck. Now you know what it was. grab that pan and pull down real hard, get it off the transfer case.

I would have used a couple washers to bring it away from the transfer case so it doesn’t make contact anymore

Broken Motor Mount and weak transmission mount. Mine had them. I put my GoPro underneath and saw the problem

You know you can always say what you would have done in this situation and I'll say I would have just got some washers and put on the other side of the skid plate to let it hang lower

A couple washer or a spacer on bolts between frame and plate would've dropped it lower.

I just bought a 07 z71 2wd I hear the same noise drives me nuts I'm gonna try this

Of all the comments a girl has the best and most obvious answer on here. No offense with the "girl" comment, but yea, just bend it down it got knock to close. easy peasy!

My is a 2wd and does have a clunk, the transmission mount is bad so hopefully after changing it could end with tha clunk

I would have bent it down a bit or even used some aluminum spacers. Thats is supposed to be there for protection. Its not a heat shield SMH...

Mine is the torsion bar. Rubber grommets missing where it connects to the frame section.

My noise sounds more like a bucket of marbles that goes away when I hit the brakes. Thoughts?

sounds like the noise i hear under my chevy uplander. the plate may have bent after a couple snow and ice storms... will check it out and get back to yas... thanks for posting a video of your observation...

I'm having a similar noise on my 02, uses same plate.If it's that POS little plate, IT AIN'T GOING BACK ON THERE

Add two more washers to the rear bolts would have been better..to keep the shield is away from the case..

2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Power Train Service Bulletin 301250 NHTSA: Action Number: 10037544 Service Bulletin Number: 301250 Report Date: Jan 01, 2011Component: Power Train Summary: Gm: when stopping or accelerating there may be a clunk noise and its as if the vehicle is bumped from behind. This can be caused by a slip in the rear propshaft. *rm

You should have just put washers in between the shield and the frame where it bolts down.