Chevrolet Silverado bad u-joint or slip yoke? 

So what is happening is the stock slip yolk (do not know the type of metal it is made of) has worn to the point that there is play when it engages in gear. GM put out on their bulletin that the fix for the issue is to replace the stock slip yolk with a nickle plated slip yolk, which is made of a more durable metal. Edited: Here is the info I found from the bulletin 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 - (Jan 5, 2005)Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke) 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 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). 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. Part Number Description Usage 12477702 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated 4WD/AWD 1500 Series Ext Cab Short Box Pickups (New Style and Old Style) 12477704 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated 4WD/AWD 2500 Series Ext Cab Short Box Pickups (New Style) 12479383 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (without u-joint) , Nickel Plated Must Be Ordered With U-Joint Kit P/N 12479126 4WD/AWD 1500 Series Silverado, Sierra Regular Cab Pickups (New Style) 4WD/AWD 1500 Series Suburban, Avalanche, Yukon XL, Escalade EXT, Escalade ESV with AWD (New Style) K1500 Series Regular Cab Pickup, Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade (Old Style) 12479384 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip, (without u-joint) , Nickel Plated Must Be Ordered With U-Joint Kit P/N 12479126 4WD/AWD 1500 Series Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade w/ 4WD or AWD (New Style) 12479385 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (without u-joint) , Nickel Plated Must Be Ordered With U-Joint Kit P/N 12471510 4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style) 89058876 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated 4WD/AWD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Crew Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74) (New Style) 4WD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab Long Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74) (New Style) 4WD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date before 2/2004) (New Style) 4WD/AWD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date before 2/2004) (New Style) 89058878 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated 4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style) 4WD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Crew Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style) 89058880 Yoke Asm., Prop Shf Slip (with u-joint) , Nickel Plated 4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date after 2/2004) or 6-Speed Manual Transmission (RPO ML6) (New Style) 4WD 2500HD Series Silverado and Sierra Extended Cab, Short Bed Pickups with 5-Speed Allison Transmission (RPO M74 build date after 2/2004) or 6-Speed Manual Transmission (RPO ML6) (New Style) 12479126 U Joint Kit 4WD/AWD 1500 Series Silverado, Sierra Regular Cab Pickups (New Style) 4WD 1500 Series Suburban, Avalanche, Yukon XL) (Escalade EXT, Escalade ESV with AWD (New Style) 4WD 1500 Regular Cab Pickup, Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade (Old Style) Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade w/ 4WD or AWD (New Style) 12471510 U Joint Kit 4WD/AWD 2500HD/3500 Series Silverado and Sierra Regular Cab, Long Bed Pickups with 6.0L (RPO LQ4) Engine (New Style) 88964470 Yoke Asm., Prop Sft Slip (without U joint) Nickel Plated Must be ordered with U joint kit P/N 88964507 HUMMER H2 88964507 U-Joint HUMMER H2

The dealer knows exactly what it is. I bought a 2009 Silverado that developed that problem shortly after I drove it off the lot. It felt like driveline binding in 4WD, but I don't have 4WD. The dealer said dirt gets into the slip yoke and causes it to bind. Easy fix is to grease it, but it doesn't last. They replaced it under warranty and it's smooth as silk--for another few years.

I agree with the other concerns regarding the slip yoke, but in this case, it has nothing to do with the shaft. This only happens when you go from park to reverse or drive.

It's the differential. I was told it would be expensive - like more than $500 bucks. So I'm just living with it...

Slip yoke is common issue on Silverado's sounds like a ticking noise when driving. Yours may have a grease zerk but this one appears to be seized to me. When you pull it remember it's suppose to move in all directions. Needle bearings are falling out if it's bad.

Check for a bad center support bearing. Mine was worn out on my truck and gave the drive shaft enough play to clunk up and down. Try checking near the bearing by wiggling the shaft up and down.

Its the excess lash between the ring and pinion gears, it is set by a crush washer which over time can be crushed further. You should be able to buy a crush washer eliminator kit to fix it once and for all

Its a pinion bearing.. it worn out causing play in your driveshaft. Depending on how bad it is you also might get a lil shacking at a certain mph. Either rebuild your diff. Or replace rear end.

My mom's 2000 suburban would clunk like that when putting it in reverse and drive , it was the universal joints 😉

You're right on the money. Need to try the downshift though.... I don't think so but everything else, yes!

UPDATE: I replaced the slip yoke and it made a WORLD of difference with the clunking sound going from park to drive and from driving away from a complete stop. But the reverse still clunks as it does in the video. The gears in the diff as indicated by some posters were correct. There was shavings and it appears I could use a rebuild. I suspect that was the problem but TOO expensive to fix. Will deal with it until she dies.....

same thing happened to my 44 its bad pinion bearings and axel shims are dust so everything isnt tight just replaced mine today works like a charm. they were humming terribly

@demetro1988 A u-joint is not a spider. A spider is located inside your differential. In this case, the U-joint was replaced and the problem stayed.

My 2000 Silverado does it going into reverse but I noticed in the morning in high idle it won't do it so I'm thinking bad slip yoke on low rpm will cause you a good clunk they all do it

Anyone know what's going on here ? My truck just started doing the same thing and I heard it's the transfer case but I'm not sure can someone tell me what it is

sergio i took off the driveshaft and put grease on the splines and it worked for me ...make sure its fully sinthetic grease

looks like play in the rear end.

@ omarpit187 - Clunks are obviously difficult to diagnose online but in your case, I would take it to a shop and have them check your transmission solenoid. My did the same and. When the solenoid was replaced, it fixed the problem.

Good news guys, CHANGE YOUR TRANSFER CASE CHAIN

I just found out that my 2004 Chevy trailblazer V6 doesn't have a slip yoke. You have to buy the whole driveshaft. Now isn't that nice to know?

I have the same problem EXCEPT, now I have no reverse and minimal forward power. The trans is stuck in limp mode (3rd gear). But what you have is what I started out with (plus limp mode). Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.6 LT. Will post video in April when I'm back home

Gear Head, you obviously know your business. I think you have isolated and diagnosed a few problems for a few people. I experienced the clunk when putting the vehicle in reverse but my driveway is on a incline and there is no problem on level pavement. Chevy service department diagnosed the rear end hopping and related it to the slip yoke and they recommended dropping the shaft and lubricating it for $92.17 so I guess I can bite that bullet. Thanks for your input.

How can you even say it's the u joint the whole thing is moving its like the pinion bearing or tcase output shaft bearing

I changed my transmission in my 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 pick up truck and now it pops loud when first taking off trying to find out what could be the problem

im pretty sure thats the blacklash on your diff man.bad driving habits?

I threw a new driveshaft/u-joints/yoke on my truck (2002 Sierra Denali 6.0) and now it makes an odd thunk intermittently. Buddy of mine said it's drivetrain slop. Sounds like a bass drum under the truck. Seems to coincide with uneven pavement. Also when driving slow in reverse. Any ideas??

@trayyy00cvrurface I drive like a granny. Absolutely no hard wear on the truck. All U-joints replaced. Still clunks. New slip yoke. Still clunks. Either it's IN the trans or like you said the diff....

Just checking the backlash on the pinion and the bearing prob shot pretty easy to do

@daugela you could have collapsed the crush sleeve, or maybe you just need to shim it (rotate adjusters if needed too). but i'd definately put my money on the diff. only because i can't visually inspect it, only have the video to go off of.

@shoey14 - greasing it is a temporary fix - from what I'm told. Do you see that shinning part of the shaftin the video (part rusty). You pull that out and there are splines in it. That's what you grease.

probably most from g80 locker. They have alot of slop nothing bad

yup. as you drive away...

My 2000 Sierra 4x4 150k miles makes this sound going from park to drive or to reverse and when switches doesn't go into 4 low and changed both u-joints in the back differential and still makes the sound

I put heavy duty u joints from the local parts store in mine and it stoped doing I did front and rear of the drive shaft cleared that noise right up this is considering the transmission shop told me I need a new t case

Your motor has a bad tick.

I am experiencing exactly what you described, especially the shifting clunk. If this back lash is normal do I need to do anything about it or just live with the clunk?

Now when u try and drive or go reverse does it make a noise like a POP sound while on the move, mine does this plus the infamous thump

I have an 05 Blazer LS 4x4. My truck makes this exact same noise. But, only when I go from Neutral to Park. It only started doing this recently. I have tried every combination of gear switches. It only does it when I go from Neutral to Park. it has 169Km on it. Does anyone have any ideas of what it may be? It drives flawlessly, and everything works perfectly. That is the only concern with the truck right now.

@anonuhmys I thought when your spider gears are set, they don't go out of adjustment. What would cause them to wear out with regular driving?

@anonuhmys 120K. Other than this issue, it runs like a champ. Always been my onw wrench, but never dealt with spider gears before....Should I expect shavings in there or obvious wear?

man im having exactly what are you saying, its clunk when i shift to reverse and also clunk when shift from 2-1 or from 3-2, so is this normal ? i have 2003 chevy avalnche z71 please reply. thanks

I have a 2015 Silverado 15000 miles on it and mine is doing the same thing. Took it in 3 times now and they keep telling me it's normal. It doesn't sound normal to me. Might have to sell it and get something else!

Fuck it, do a neutral drop at 5000 rpms it'll fix it for sure!!

Mr. Gear Head, Thank you for the info. "Double walled"? that prolly explains my problem. My drive shaft pings, using tire rotation as a base, I count about 9-11 pings. makes sense at 3.73s, I have jacked it up securely with 4 6tons stands and I and brother crawled under and the sound is coming from the middle of shaft, smooth at trans output and axle input; replaced spider gears in Feb. busted inner wall? thnks. cheers then.

my 08 silverado makes a jump feeling like if somebody hit me from behind when im in a coplete stop can this be the problem?

I have the same problem can u told me what it is let off the breaks at a red light?

I don't know if you're still monitoring this site, but the speedo problem might be the speedo gear and rear end ratio don't match.

what does it mean when you get the clunk while it down shifts?

how do you fix the down shift clunk , have a 1995 chevy pickup doing exsactly that, it has a kick when it goes into second gear to , response will be appreciated

My 2002 GMC Sierra makes a clunk when i hit the gas and move a few feet or when drive over a small dip when entering my driveway. I was told to grease the drive shaft but idk what im doing.

thanks , will do

Slip yolk . Still a hole and add a grease fitting

I have a 2003 Z71 silverado and have noticed the same noise. I bought the truck a few months ago and have been living with the sound ever since. I notice the clunking noise in between 1st and 2nd gear the most, when going around 15 mph and speeding up. I'm going to change the u-joints to see if this will help, any other ideas?

@anonuhmys - no clue what the problem is...

ive been threw 3 rear ends. its the spiders everytime and sometimes more.

Did u find out what the problem is my truck started doing the same thing, and how much did it cost

Mine clunks and fells like its bumping when you mash the break and take off. Any suggestions?

My 2007 silveraldo 4x4 has a squeak at the transfer case driveshaft yoke going forward but stops when brake applied

@CSXPapp - Diff End. Never figured out the prob. Spiders?

♥️👍

My 02 avalanche does this after you take off

is it bad if my 09 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L V8 does this? like its a really hard clunk then lurch.

Never figured out. I think it's just worn gears....Even the Chevy dealership trans tech doesn't know. Suspects old worn gears...nothing more.

I have the same problem someone could tell me what is the solution please

Is that your lifters ?

It's ur ujoint

I have the same thing going on, Did you find a fix yet?

my '86 C10 does this...but i know my trans and rear end are bad...

Looks like that u joint needs to be replaced

its the spider bearing aka u joint, mine is out too. my spider dug into my yoke now i have to replace both

What was the problem?

Yeah, it clunks then lurches back. Then if i put it into park and put it into reverse again its less noticeable. IDK man, its making my 09' feel like a old beater.

@Jutt08 Yes. At first, I'm switching from PARK to REVERSE a few times. Then I go from PARK to DRIVE a few times so you can hear the difference... If it was your U-Joints, it would make the noise everytime. Does it also clunk like it's physically moving forward and jarring underneath?

@daugela, are you putting it into reverse then back into park repeatedly or are you going to reverse, neutral THEN DRIVE? Mine makes a sound when going into reverse first time, then when i put it into park then again into reverse it doesnt do it. i think mine is hopefully u joints...

I don't know sounds like a bad lifter tap to me LOL

Is this all it does?

Check your oil! lol!

how much does this cost

U joint!

Differential

The rod knock is worse

Have you found out exactly what it is? Im having the same problem. Also on take off from a stop.

@kody51423 How much did it cost u

Nice lifter tick

Rear end

likely an exhaust bolt broken off, common on these trucks

I have a 2011 chevy silverado and the problem was the slip yoke

My 2012 silverado does the exact thing when I put it in drive or reverse

@CSXPapp Diff

if its not broke dont fix it

Thats gross bro quit doin that