The GM Driveline Clunk (Pickup) 

So, I have a 2006 Silverado with the 6.6 duramax and a loud clunk, so I watched these videos and agree with most.. that packing your transfer case full of grease is NOT a fix. I have seen videos of guys shoving raquet ball pieces inside the slip yoke. What I did was, I took a valve spring and measured the distance that the shaft goes in to the slip yoke. I cut the spring and welded a flat washer to each side just to add a little spring tension when it shifts. I AM NOT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC!! though this method has worked for me for the last 2 years and I use my truck everyday in my excavation company hauling gooseneck trailers and our 5th wheel camper with no problems and it fixed my issue. my truck has 280k miles on it now and still going strong with no clunk!

I’m always open to new information. I have a lot of experience and knowledge in the category of mechanical reasoning. And the problem this man is solving is not easy to find/diagnose. I am glad I did watch this video because it solved the problem I had with my truck.

Hey, I commented on this 8 months ago. Just to it to the shop 2 weeks ago and had the same thing done as what you did. So far no clunking, they also changed the differential fluid with a full synthetic and slip additive.

Synthetic Grease, great tip. and marking the shaft is a good tip too. I've always forgot to do this then have to spin the tires to get things lined up. Good video, Cheers

Thanks for the info, Bruce! I have a K5 Blazer which I'm having the "clunk" in and I will be doing this to fix mine as well!

Had a 2007 1500 single cab 2WD Silverado with a clunk, then a 2009 1500 Silverado Z71 extended with a clunk, now for the last 3 years a 2012 Extended LS with a clunk, gave up on trying to fix it because it never became a problem except for the annoying clunk when I slow down then accelerate slowly/regularly/quickly.

Hey I have the same truck, same color even! Thanks for the helpful video. She's an old lady now for sure.

Use a grease gun to get it all the way in to the yoke you can get them cheap at Harbor freight

Looks like a part 2 coming up. I chuckle every time I see the marking of the orientation of the prop shaft LOL. I worked on the line out in Ontario put thousands of them in as they went down the line and we just fired them in any way we could, their pre assembled and balanced prior to assembly. I have heard some say it's to prevent an imbalance that was not their before , may well be. People are still putting stored battery's on a board to prevent discharge on a concrete surface Ha . Oh well you sure don't have to worry about that clunk again with all that grease :). Not sure the year of your truck but look at your exhaust manifolds and see how many bolt heads are missing. You always do it right 👍

Glad this worked out for you. 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.

Thats exactly what mine doea. When i have any weight in the back. No noise at all. Even when someone on the passenger side. No noise. I had a mechanic riding with me..He said what noise. I'll surely get this done.

Great video Bruce! Just had the same problem on my explorer. Grease worked like a charm.

I think I would have invested in a new tail seal for that driveshaft while it was out. But that grease trick does work. I've done that to an older model Chevy years ago and it definitely helps to cut the clunk.

You used enough grease to fully frost a 12" diameter cake! Good video though-- thank you sir!

HY guys, same issue here. 2012 Silverado 4.3v6 wt. when I apply gas after coasting I hear a clunk coming from under the truck. Mechanic said it’s typical of Chevy. Thanks all.

Only guy I've seen that marked the driveline first. I watched other videos and forgot to do it and ended up having to pull it back out.

you mentioned transmission fluid falling out when you removed the spline / yoke. so if transmission fluid is coming in contact with the spline what will stop that grease from possibly getting into the transmission?

Just did this. Fixed my clunking when engaging 4x4. 1989 k2500. Thanks!

Great video! I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 clunks when I brake and also when I let go of the brake to accelerate. Gonna lube my splines up and change my ujoints while I’m down there already.

You got lucky Bruce with the bearing cap

Just watched a video. If transmission fluid comes out back the seal in the front of the xfer case is bad and needs replacing. Just watched before this video. 5 basic problems with gm xfer cases. Hope that helps

I've been researching this for awhile as I have same clunking on my 03 silverado. From what I've seen and read the only thing you are supposed to grease the yolk with is transfer case fluid. Mine has the auto 4 wheel drive and it takes a blue transfer case fluid. The grease will make its way into the transfer case and contaminate the transfer case. Alot of people say to replace the yolk with the nickle plated one as recommended per the service bulletin. I'm thinking my noise is coming from the differential

Was looking for rear end noise and came across a colonoscopy video!

Hey Bruce how about a series on restoring a small John Deere, say an old 110 or a 111. Cant help but notice your John Deere in the back ground, looks great!!!

Just have to put the grease in front, the the spline shaft will push it to the back

I got 2 questions. 1 is there any risk of blowing out a seal, the slop is there intentionally since the driveshaft distance changes as the rear suspension moves up and down. If you fill it with non compressible grease could it damage something? 2. I hear about this nickel plated yolk solving the problem. How would a coating fix a slip issue? Does it just not slide as easily??

Great work Bruce. How was the test Drive?

GM had and has a problem with excessive ring n pinion clunking.

I've got the famous Dodge clunk up at the front yoke.

I tried this fix on my 98 Sierra 1500 4x4 too but when I tried to push the spleen end back in so as to hook the rear universal joint clamps back up it would not go into the yoke enough to get the rear universal in place. Tomorrow I will have to try hooking up some rigging and use a come along to pull it in if nobody else has any better suggestions? I already had to take a bunch of grease out.

The clunk sound can be a combination of this and worn out differential gears .

Just wondering...would it be possible that that grease be supplied in those grease gun tubes? Would've been so much easier.

My output shaft teeth are worn down how do you replace these

Nice video! Quick and to the point,I love it. I have an 06 that's real clunky when I go in gear and this seems like the way to go.thanks

I notice that others have asked for follow up on problem solved or not but no answer. Is there a part 2? Did this work? An Honest post would be appreciated .

Sorry to ask on such an old video but I have question. Was the clunking noise when you put the truck in drive or was at other times?

I went over a bump , my lever was on 2h and it just started clunking real bad. The lever was also jumping as it was clunking. I could only drive my truck on 4WD then it just went away. Now the lever kinda clicks. What do you think it is?

At what point while you were driving did you get the clunk? I have a 99 Yukon that clunks or feels like a jerk at cruising speed of around 50mph. It happens when the rpms drop down after shifting through all the gears. Could my problem be the same as yours?

Man violates shaft hole with broomstick

I had to cover the kids eyes when you pulled the pole out to pack the grease.

Thank you for making a video about this.

Yeah when you do this make sure you don't feel the back come up with grease there's a air pocket for a reason that allows it not to lock up just Grease the spines do not put grease in the back not unless you want to buy a transmission

aren't ratcheting wrenches great? Thanks for the vid...98 K1500 Suburban owner here...(with a clunk)

Great video bruce. I have an 01 sierra with an aluminum spicer driveshaft. I marked the slip yoke and put on a new yoke side u joint......I wasn't able to get the parts until this morning and my truck sat out in the rain......now that I have re-installed my driveshaft it will not turn over.......my idea is 1 of 2 things...........water got into transmission overnight or.....there is one spindle on the yoke that appears wider than the rest like it is worn down......at first I thought that it was normal and there should be a spindle on the receiving end, but all spindles on receiving end seem identical......possibly I need a new yoke.......any thoughts or comments appreciated

Thank you !!Owe you a cold beer

Is this yoke supposed to be lubricated by T-case oil? Meaning, this grease you put on the drive shaft isn't going to get into the trasfercase is it?

a small round brush would work for spreading the grease inside the fitting

Hey Bruce did the clunk stop after this. Thanks

6:48 😅😅😅😅 thanks for sharing my man ... I have that same problem

Cool...My buddy has a later model Silverado that is making a big clunking/banging occasionally while driving, would be nice if something this simple was the cause....

Did this fix the clunk and if so for how long? I would have changed out the u joints while I was at it, but that's just me.

This was like the 2005 steering wheel "clunk" which was also a grease issue. But my 2013 2500HD pounds when shifting since hitting a pot hole.

At with miles would you do this. I’ve got a 2018 Chevy 1500 Z71 4x4? Miles 46,300

I'm going through the process of getting to the bottom of this.

Would this cause vibration while driving ?

hope this fix, when i put truck in gear have a big clunk its so bad

I like the video great info...I also like that pristine John Deere 180. I have a 185 hydro from 1985.....2 owners...My Sister and Me...Flawless. Everybody wants to buy it

When does it clunk? When u drive? Or when u put into gear? Mine is clunking when I go to reverse. Just want to see if it could be the same issue.

Would this sound resonate thru the shaft and cause me to hear it from the rear? Seems to be the noise I'm hearing but I'm not sure..

I have a 4x4 2004 gmc duramax 2500hd it makes some knocking noise when I put it in 4 wheel drive, any suggestions?

Mine has a zert.shot it full of fresh grease problem solved.There is a stationary shaft off the trans and then the slip yoke.extended cab Z71.

Can I do this to the front drive shaft as well going into the transfer case

What is the clunking? Just decided to get 06 sierra and i feel a thump coming from the back from 1st to 2nd. What could that be?

I have an 07 Silverado that clunks when backing up but doesn't do it every time. I'm not mechanically inclined, I live in Tennessee, how much would I be looking at to have a mechanic fix this?

Hey Bruce, I've had this awful clunk since I bought my truck (2001 Silverado 1500 Z71) , and I think this just might be the remedy, now that it's done and over for you how much grease would you say to use? 'Bout a half of a can of that AC Delco grease?

Great video!

thanks bruce...

Is this the way to fix a thump noise coming from a 2018 gmc sierra denali when coming to a stop?

I pulled mine the other day to replace and a sleeve came out around the slip yoke from inside the t case? Any ideas?

I thought the grease could get into the transfer case and ruin the fluid but if you said GM mechanics recommended it I guess it should be fine.

Good video but ahhh don't use a screw driver to put grease in you don't wanna chance it scraping the metal and make flakes

Thank you!

I change the u joints with the greasable ones since its off

You did just about everything wrong. For anyone else doing this job: don’t let any penetrant or oil get on the u-joint bolts, if it does clean the holes with solvent. Use NEW, NEW, NEW BOLTS for the u-joint and the torque is only 13-17 ftlbs. Don’t pack grease like it’s a ball joint because the extra will work it’s way into the tranny or transfer case. Always replace the tail stock seal at the same time and never remove the cap from a u-joint. If you do and they are as rusty as the ones in the video replace them.

Is this the maintenance for Rear Axle spline lube job.

Hi Bruce ,! nice video , Where did you get the ac delco syntetic grease? Thanks

Did it work? No more clunk?

When i slow down to a stop like around 10mph my silverado clunks or like a small push forward could this fix it?

So what was the verdict. Did the clunk get fixed??

Would this be effective on the clunk I get when the trans upshifts under light/no load?

Uh did it fix it

I love my 2000 Silverado but I started just fixing stuff that falls off lol . Scared the hell out of me when my spare tire fell off

We never know if it works or not ?

Did this actually fix the problem?

Also if you have 4 wheel drive the yoke is in the transfer case not the transmission.

Mine makes a clank like a chain is hanging down, when im going down a bumpy road sounds like chain swinging against the frame i checked the spare tire holder thats not it any one else heard this?

Im going to tell my wife my nickname is no longer babe its tubes now!

you didn't do an after to show us ofnit worked......didn't work?

Ping pong balls will work perfect and last longer.

Why did you mark the driveshaft it doesn’t matter Nd do you reply to the comments

Where is the rest of the story?

Will this work on a 2014 f150 fx4? Since am getting a clunk noise to

Did this fix your problem ?

Very well put video! Grate job keep it up!

Going to pull my shaft from down there 😂😂😂😂

Awesome video

This will work for awhile but another way to kill the clunk is to change the trans fluid and add a stop sticking automatic trans valves additive. if your transfer case uses automatic trans fluid add the free sticking trans additive to the transfer case.

When i replaced my spider gears in rear differential my clunk disappeared

Crazy that splines arent greased from factory

What kind of grease is this?