2003 silverado u-joints?

[Button Nubbs]

I have a 2003 silverado 1500 and it has developed a bad single clunk when shifting gears and when I shift from drive to reverse on occasion. There is a little vibration above 55mph. I got under the truck and there is a little play in the driveline underneath the cab where I can "feel" it. You can also hear it move a little. If I get on it and stay on it it won't clunk. Its mostly at low speeds. How much play should there be in the driveline if any at all? Tranny does not slip either. Really hoping the tranny isn't starting to go.

[Woodchuck]

Certainly u-joints if there is play, should be none. If memory serves those have an aluminum drive shaft so any small noise gets amplified. I have seen plenty that will make a metallic ping when engaing in gear and it is actually wear on the diff gears being amplified which would be a huge undertaking.

[grundy53]

I have the same truck. Mine did the same thing. It was the u joint.

[Button Nubbs]

Thanks fellas

[coachcw]

Pull the shaft and check for a tight or loose joint . I've seen a sticky slip yolk at the transfer case case this symtom aswell , some times just lubing the splines will cure it. Gm has had a few differnt drive shaft updates aswell , mainly on the early 2000's duramax's though.

[high country]

U joint, slip yoke, pinion yoke.....check em all.

[swanny]

You might read this thread for ideas and thoughts
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239570

[Button Nubbs]

Thanks swanny, my truck has always had the slip yoke clunk, this one is different. gotta love chevys!!!

[bobcat]

Thanks swanny, my truck has always had the slip yoke clunk, this one is different. gotta love chevys!!!

Do you have the steering wheel clunk too? My 2002 Silverado does. It was fixed for a while, but recently it has begun clunking again. Oh well, 125,000 miles and that's the only problem I've had. Could be worse.

[high country]

Thanks swanny, my truck has always had the slip yoke clunk, this one is different. gotta love chevys!!!

Do you have the steering wheel clunk too? My 2002 Silverado does. It was fixed for a while, but recently it has begun clunking again. Oh well, 125,000 miles and that's the only problem I've had. Could be worse.

One well placed turbo clamp solves the clunk. Add a bit of twist every couple years.

[lokidog]

My 2000 had a similar clunk, replacing the u-joints fixed it.  Luckily a neighbor on the island had some experience and knew some tricks.

[swanny]

I had the steering wheel clunk in my 2002 and had it fixed and it seems to have stuck and that was 75k miles ago! I also have a clunk when it's put in reverse. Transmission shop told me to just let the tranny die some day and then fix it, cost is the same either way.

Kind of figure that any clunk in mine is normal until it quits running.

[Button Nubbs]

Never had the steering wheel clunk, that'll prolly be next

[Button Nubbs]

Well I was just pulling into my place and decided to back in and had to go up a small hill. BAM!!!! No reverse... FML.

[lokidog]

Well I was just pulling into my place and decided to back in and had to go up a small hill. BAM!!!! No reverse... FML.

OUCH!  Sounds like more than u-joints.  My condolences.   

[cougkilr]

I have a 2003 silverado 1500 and it has developed a bad single clunk when shifting gears and when I shift from drive to reverse on occasion. There is a little vibration above 55mph. I got under the truck and there is a little play in the driveline underneath the cab where I can "feel" it. You can also hear it move a little. If I get on it and stay on it it won't clunk. Its mostly at low speeds. How much play should there be in the driveline if any at all? Tranny does not slip either. Really hoping the tranny isn't starting to go.

I have the same issue with my pickup, its a 2006 1500 Silverado, it only has 62,000 miles on it.  I had a buddy of mine who is a mechanic look at it and he said that the issue is Pinion slop.  There is too much play in my driveline as well.  It's covered under warranty so I had Baydos look at a while back because I figured it was the U-joints and they said that they were fine.  It only clunks when shifting gears at slower speeds, high speeds it shifts just fine.  It sounds like it is a fairly common problem....  I'm going to have the problem fixed while I still have the warranty, but not at Baydos.  I've had it in there 3 times for the same issue and they cant figure out the problem, I'm thinking Gilcrest Chev in Tacoma, anyone have any suggestions on Chevy dealers for repairs?