HELLO, IM NEW TO THIS. I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO EXT. CAB SHORT BED Z71, WITH THE LS TRIM. IT HAD ABOUT 11,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGT IT A MONTH AGO. WELL FIRST I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION CLUNKING BETWEEN 2 AND1 GEAR ON A DOWN SHIFT UPHILL. NOW I NOTICE A STUTTER BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEAR WHEN I TAKE OFF. IT IS NOT ALL THE TIME. ALSO WHEN I HAVE MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. ON THE HIGHWAY, IT LIKES TO JUMP BACK AND FORTH GOING DOWN HILL. BUT WHEN I TAKE IT OUT OF CRUISE AND JUST HOLD STEADY AT SPEED, IT IS FINE. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO ON ANY OF THESE TOPICS PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

I have a 03 avalanche and I have similiar problems. I took it to the Dealer and I have no problems. I taled to a performance shop and they let mu use a Hypertech power programer for a week. Wow what a difference. It really smothed up the transmision.

Supposibly the reason people are haveing problems today is GM found that they get better life out of a transmission if it shifts down, istead of locking up the tourqe converter witch causing heat.

I have been in a few trucks and mine is "was" the worst.

With Hypertech it is like my 98' used to be.......................

Good luck

Learn to live with it or take a loss and buy the new 2004 Ford. You've bought a "Clunker."

I just today took my new 2003 "Clunkrolet" Silverado with 7000 miles on it in to the dealer for the second time for the infamous clunking problem. The first time they used some type of "magical special grease" which lasted about a week before the clunking returned. They told me it was the slip yoke banging and it was a normal noise. The standard response is it's "operating to the manufacturers specs, they all do that and it's normal." Normal my a$$. Fords and Dodges don't go clunking around the roads like my Silverado does. The dealer told me that's because they are designed differently. It's an obvious engineering problem. I read where one fix was a nickel plated slip yoke and I mentioned that to the service guy today and he said the 03's already had those on them. Well, then that wasn't a fix was it? I also read where they were replacing the drive shafts. Anyway, one way or another, I want the problem resolved. They told me they can't fix it because it's normal. I might look into the lemon law. That might be a start. Or maybe a complaint with the Feds. I know for sure I will be calling GM's complaint line.
We have been a GM family for 30 plus years. My wife drives a 2003 Buick and I've always been loyal to GM. But I swear that after paying $32,000 for a vehicle with such a glaring problem and getting an "it's normal" excuse from GM I will sell the "clunker" and go with the 2004 Ford truck ad you won't see another GM car in my driveway.
My advise to someone thinking about a Chevy/GMC truck is to think again.


Here's GM's Service Bulletin:

Driveline - Clunk Explanation
File In Section: 04 - Driveline Axle
Bulletin No.: 99-04-20-002A
Date: September, 2001
INFORMATION
Subject:
Driveline Clunk
Models:
2002 and Prior Light Duty Truck Models
This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-20-002 (Section 04 - Driveline/Axle).
Important: The condition described in this bulletin should not be confused with Driveline Stop Clunk, described in Corporate Bulletin Number 964101R (Chevrolet 92-265-7A, GMC Truck 91-4A-77, Oldsmobile 47-71-20A, GM of Canada 93-4A-100) or Bump/Clunk Upon Acceleration, described in Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-004.
Some owners of light duty trucks equipped with automatic transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise when shifting between Park and Drive, Park and Reverse, or Drive and Reverse. Similarly, owners of vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise while driving when the accelerator is quickly depressed and then released.
Whenever there are two or more gears interacting with one another, there must be a certain amount of clearance between those gears in order for the gears to operate properly. This clearance or freeplay (also known as lash) can translate into a clunk noise whenever the gear is loaded and unloaded quickly, or whenever the direction of rotation is reversed. The more gears you have in a system, the more freeplay the total system will have.
The clunk noise that owners sometimes hear may be the result of a buildup of freeplay (lash) between the components in the driveline.
For example, the potential for a driveline clunk would be greater in a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle than a 2-wheel drive vehicle. This is because in addition to the freeplay from the rear axle gears, the universal joints, and the transmission (common to both vehicles), the 4-wheel drive transfer case gears (and their associated clearances) add additional freeplay to the driveline.
In service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions for the following reasons:
Comments of driveline clunk are almost never the result of one individual component with excessive lash, but rather the result of the added affect of freeplay (or lash) present in all of the driveline components.
Because all of the components in the driveline have a certain amount of lash by design, changing driveline components may not result in a satisfactory lash reduction.
While some owners may find the clunk noise objectionable, this will not adversely affect durability or performance.

I have the same problem here. I just went through my first round at the dealership. They gave me the same run around as noted above. Have any of you gotten anyware since the last reply?

According to the service bulletin this is due to backlash in the drive train. I am not an expert on automatic transmissions, but to me it feels more like the transmission is shifting when the gears are not at a matched RPM, causing a horrific “clunk”.

As far as the cruise control, mine does the same thing. More annoying than anything else. I just tap the brake and use the throttle until I get to the bottom of the hill. I had a 93 chev pickup and didn't have this issue. Very disappointing to see we have step backwards in technology.
.

Well, Ryder, I don't know what we can do. I just got back from a short 350 mile trip and the clunking problem is becoming real loud and frequent. The truck actually shudders. And I'm really ticked off at GM. I was told by a friend who works for Chrysler's to ask to speak to a zone manager and then to his boss and up the ladder until I got some satisfaction. Well, I called the dealer yesterday and talked to a service advisor and asked him about how I go about speaking to a "zone manager" and he said they don't speak to the public. I then asked to speak to the service manager and he told me he was in a meeting and that he's call back. I'm still waiting......hmmmmmmm.

I called the GM complaint number and filed a complaint with them. I asked the person on the phone what happens next and she said "nothing". "We have it on file." I plan on filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau's BBB Auto Line. (800) 955-5100 or online at www.dr.bbb.org/goauto. It probably won't help but I'm not laying down for GM or anybody else that sells me a defective product.

I also am going to write a letter to the President of GM and send a copy to my newspapers automotive section. I don't believe there's a fix for this problem because of GM's shoddy manufacturing or design of the gears that are causing the gear lash and they know it. They've sold thousands of these defective trucks and are now trying to cover their butts.

GM used to have a jingle on that went something like this:
"See the USA in your <Chevrolet> CLUNKROLET"

Dropped mine at the gmc delaer yesterday for the same thing. Sold me some $30 lube & we'll see what happens with it.

Hope it works Dakota. They used the special magical lube/grease on my mine the first time I took it in saying the slip yoke needed greased and was causing the clunking. It didn't work.

BTW, I just talked to the service manager and he told me that they were just a repair facility and had to go by what GM says and GM says there's nothing wrong with my Clunkrolet. He told me he'd drive my truck for a day and if the clunking was no different from any five other new trucks off the lot there would be nothing he could do. Sure he'll drive it because he knows they all clunk. He told me I couldn't talk to the zone manager and to call up the GM complaint line again and make another complaint. I've read on another site where GM is extended the warranties on the transmissions to 100,000 miles if you complain loud enough and contact the BBB Autoline. The service manager denied any knowledge of this. I'll calling the BBB right now.

"See The USA In Your Clunkrolet'

Took mine in with only 200 miles on it with same issue. They had a TSB out there to reprogram the Trans Control Module with new cals. It significantly reduced the clunks and slips but did not eliminate them. I think there's too much pep with this 5.3 to get a smooth shift.

Also, had my VIN fallen within a certain range the Service Manager said it would have needed some mechanical work that was specified on the TSB in addition to the reprogramming. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info GMT. I'll call the dealer tommorow and ask him about reprograming the trans module. Would you happen to know the bulletin number for that service?

Also I talked to a lawyer today and he stated I'd have to take the truck into the dealer's 2 more times for a total of 4 and then he would take my case under our state's lemon law.

ANd they had toprogram the ecm for a new shifting program & cost me 100.00 Woulndt that be covered somewhere if the last one was bad??

I did a bulletin search this morning and found a couple bulletins that MAY apply to the concern on your truck.
My recommendation is to take it back to the dealer and talk to the service manager and ask him to perform a bulletin search on your specific concern while you are standing there with him.
There are 2 bulletins for a 1-2 shudder on those trucks.
I had the 1-2 shudder on my 02 Sierra and I fixed it per the bulletin...Smooth as silk now
If you need more info feel free to PM me.

I have a '01 z71 ext cab with 30,000 miles on it. I just bought it used and I have the clunk in th rear end from park to reverse. Had it in for warantee and of course the same old answer "its normal". I like your info and the service bulletin you posted. Hopefully it is true that no damage or reliability issues will occur. My mechanic said too much play in the rear end so I took it to the dealer. Oh well, I may have my machanic take it apart to see what he thinks. I would rather pay him to fix it than go through the hassel and grief with the dealerships.

Cheers.

Learn to live with it or take a loss and buy the new 2004 Ford. You've bought a "Clunker."

I just today took my new 2003 "Clunkrolet" Silverado with 7000 miles on it in to the dealer for the second time for the infamous clunking problem. The first time they used some type of "magical special grease" which lasted about a week before the clunking returned. They told me it was the slip yoke banging and it was a normal noise. The standard response is it's "operating to the manufacturers specs, they all do that and it's normal." Normal my a$$. Fords and Dodges don't go clunking around the roads like my Silverado does. The dealer told me that's because they are designed differently. It's an obvious engineering problem. I read where one fix was a nickel plated slip yoke and I mentioned that to the service guy today and he said the 03's already had those on them. Well, then that wasn't a fix was it? I also read where they were replacing the drive shafts. Anyway, one way or another, I want the problem resolved. They told me they can't fix it because it's normal. I might look into the lemon law. That might be a start. Or maybe a complaint with the Feds. I know for sure I will be calling GM's complaint line.
We have been a GM family for 30 plus years. My wife drives a 2003 Buick and I've always been loyal to GM. But I swear that after paying $32,000 for a vehicle with such a glaring problem and getting an "it's normal" excuse from GM I will sell the "clunker" and go with the 2004 Ford truck ad you won't see another GM car in my driveway.
My advise to someone thinking about a Chevy/GMC truck is to think again.


Here's GM's Service Bulletin:

Driveline - Clunk Explanation
File In Section: 04 - Driveline Axle
Bulletin No.: 99-04-20-002A
Date: September, 2001
INFORMATION
Subject:
Driveline Clunk
Models:
2002 and Prior Light Duty Truck Models
This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-20-002 (Section 04 - Driveline/Axle).
Important: The condition described in this bulletin should not be confused with Driveline Stop Clunk, described in Corporate Bulletin Number 964101R (Chevrolet 92-265-7A, GMC Truck 91-4A-77, Oldsmobile 47-71-20A, GM of Canada 93-4A-100) or Bump/Clunk Upon Acceleration, described in Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-004.
Some owners of light duty trucks equipped with automatic transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise when shifting between Park and Drive, Park and Reverse, or Drive and Reverse. Similarly, owners of vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise while driving when the accelerator is quickly depressed and then released.
Whenever there are two or more gears interacting with one another, there must be a certain amount of clearance between those gears in order for the gears to operate properly. This clearance or freeplay (also known as lash) can translate into a clunk noise whenever the gear is loaded and unloaded quickly, or whenever the direction of rotation is reversed. The more gears you have in a system, the more freeplay the total system will have.
The clunk noise that owners sometimes hear may be the result of a buildup of freeplay (lash) between the components in the driveline.
For example, the potential for a driveline clunk would be greater in a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle than a 2-wheel drive vehicle. This is because in addition to the freeplay from the rear axle gears, the universal joints, and the transmission (common to both vehicles), the 4-wheel drive transfer case gears (and their associated clearances) add additional freeplay to the driveline.
In service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions for the following reasons:
Comments of driveline clunk are almost never the result of one individual component with excessive lash, but rather the result of the added affect of freeplay (or lash) present in all of the driveline components.
Because all of the components in the driveline have a certain amount of lash by design, changing driveline components may not result in a satisfactory lash reduction.
While some owners may find the clunk noise objectionable, this will not adversely affect durability or performance.

I have the clunk when shifting into reverse. Will there ever be a solution to this problem from GM????

silvered:

i have the exact same truck as you and i have also noticed the "bouncing" thing when going down hill in cruise control. the clunk noise is quite familiar to me now as well...and just as annoying.

naked avalanche:

tell us more about the programmer and how it helped smooth things out.

yeah, just letting yall know that i am having the same problem with my truck. at first i thought it was comming from the rear end but now im not sure. in my truck its the loudest when i am starting off from a dead stop but only if the vehicle has rolled back some, like on a small incline. the dealer told me it was the brakes and not to worry cause it dosent do it all the time. i guess we will just have to wait and see what gm decides to do about it. i hope that it does not affect durability. oh and i have 4500 miles on my truck and it has been doing it noticably since about 1000 miles.

bad bad bad

I'm having the same problems with clunking and a real bad chatter (like shaking the whole truck) especially when the driver side rear wheel broke on some leaves my truck chattered like crazy. Took it to the dealer and they said it was normal. I have read some of the complaints on here and it sounds like most of them are sounds from the tranmission but my sound is definately from the rear. I hear it also when i take off when shifts in between 1st and 2nd. I've taken it twice to the dealer and it only has 3800 miles on it. I also own a 1978 Chevy 1/2 ton that i plow with and it does not even make noises like that. After all these years you think that GM could have perfected something. I'm seriously looking at trading it in for a new Ford. And to think they soaked me for $$$$$ on and extended warranty in which i will fight to get back.

I did a bulletin search this morning and found a couple bulletins that MAY apply to the concern on your truck.
My recommendation is to take it back to the dealer and talk to the service manager and ask him to perform a bulletin search on your specific concern while you are standing there with him.
There are 2 bulletins for a 1-2 shudder on those trucks.
I had the 1-2 shudder on my 02 Sierra and I fixed it per the bulletin...Smooth as silk now
If you need more info feel free to PM me.
If you don't mind me asking, what're the issues regarding the shudder from 1st to 2nd? I ask because I think mine may have the same problem (only happens from 1-2), although it's not always extremely noticeable. I assume it's repaired under warranty, but is it a quick fix? If I'm unable to take my Silverado in soon is it going to be detrimental (I bought it used a couple months ago, it's at 31K miles)? Do you happen to have those service bulletins numbers that may be related to it so I can reference them? Thanks.

Hi guys,
My 2001 Z71 (26000 miles) has clunks in the driveline as well. Park to reverse, 1-2,2-3,2-1. The most annoying clunk I hate is the one when you go around a corner slow and then ease into the gas again. CLUNK!
I am told it is because of the auto-trac system.
I can believe that. I also believe there to be some engineering defect.
If you change your own oil, next time you are under your truck, grab the "small" driveshaft that comes out of the transfer case and turn it. You will hear the noise in the transfer case. GEEZ. I cannot believe the noise that mine is making is not causing damage.
I have taken it in 3 times. The service writer is a good friend of mine. I have a good friend that is an area GM rep for GMSPO. I have seen the bulletins and, apparently, there is nothing that can be done under the existing policies that GM.
Keep calling and writing GM, as the dealer apparently doesnt want anyone to buy another 1500 4x4. The service mgr wouldnt even take the time to talk with me at Young Chevrolet when I called. I even have a friend, who's wedding I was in, that is asst parts mgr there.
PS: They replaced the "yoke" already right after I bought it with 17k, and another dealer (where I used to work) replaced the rear diff later after my 2nd trip to a dealer. The rear diff replacement cleared up the park to drive clunk I had.

Let me know know if anyone hears anything good from GM.

I made the mistake of purchasing a new 2003 Chevy Silverado Ext Cab 4x4 automatic. After 6000 miles the drivetrain started clunking loudly any time I drive backwards (in reverse). The clunk does not occur when I shift to reverse but clunks when I accelarate faster than normal. The clunk also occurs frequently when I accelarate hard and then let off the throttle. It sometimes occurs on 1st to 2nd upshifts or downshifts.
I can feel the clunk in the floor and passengers ask me about it.

This problem takes all of the joy out of owning this new truck.
The dealer did the transmission reprogramming which did not correct the problem and they told me that I have to live with the problem.

DO NOT BUY A SILVERADO UNLESS YOU CAN LIVE WITH TYPE OF PROBLEM AND THE POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM GM.

If anybody finds a soltuion to this problem, please post it here.

Thank you!

I have had my 03 Z71 for about a year now and have had in the shop numerous times for the clunking in the trans. It only does it on the upshift and downshift between 2 & 3. According to Chevrolet it is a characteristic problem. They refuse to fix the issue. They let you know about this little bulletin they have to read to find out what they will be doing. The bulletin reads:

During a 2-3 upshift, the 2-4 band is released and the 3-4 clutch is applied. The timing of this shift can cause a momentary torque reversal of the output shaft that results in a clunk noise. This same torque reversal can also occur on the 3-2 downshift when the 3-4 clutch is released and the 2-4 band applied. This condition may be worse on 4-wheel drive vehicle due to the additionmal tolerances in the transfer case.

This is a normal condition. No repairs should be attempted.

This applies to all light duty trucks 2003 and older.

You have to step up the HD truck to avoid this problem. You would think that they would fix the problem after all of these years, but as long as they are selling them there will be no fix. Chevy refuses to due anything about this problem.

geeez, im sure glad i dont have the newer style trucks. if i may add some of my own experiences though....

i used to own a 1985 chevy pickup, and i had the same exact "problems" you guys are explaining. the problem was backlash, a very excessive amount. it can be corrected by many things, because theres a lot that comes into play. first off, climb under your truck, and yank on the driveshafts. check to see whats turning. shims can be made for your rear diff that will reduce backlash. worn u-joints add to backlash. (my 85' went through a set every 2 years) your transfer case and tranny can also cause it, although i never ended up tearing into mine to see if i could eleiminate it. i drive that truck for 4 years, and never had a part failure due to that problem, other than the u-joints. my suggestion is to look into some of those things. maybe if enough people have the same adjustment that fixes the problem, GM will release a bulletin with that fix. just some thoughts. i hope you all get it figured out, i know how frustating dealers can be.

rob

I have a 2002 1500 HD (same tranny as Silverado 1500) that had similar transmission problems. It started at about 3000 miles but the dealer could not find any codes. The problem seemed to be slipping and not shifting correctly but it was intermittent. At about 26000 miles, it started to not shift into overdrive until about 10-15 minutes of operation. This problem become constant and the dealer agreed there was a problem but could not find it. I left it there and finally they got a code after a week of driving it and they rebuilt the transmission (found broken parts inside). I drove it for a day and then a clicking in first gear started. They rebuilt the tranny a second time (more broken parts inside). I drove it for a week and there seemed to be a lag in shifting. I took it back and said it needed a new transmission. They agreed and replaced it and it works fine now. Other than being without my truck for a month altogether, I am satisfied with the outcome and I will continue to drive GM products. This process definitely cost GM a few dollars.

I also just bought (in June) a 03 Silverado and it's got a wicked clunk. The dealer said that it's a backlash in the drivetrain and there is nothing they can do about it. All they can do is record that I mention it everytime I bring in the vehicle. I suppose that's for when it actually breaks after the warrenty runs out so they'll fix it. I know I'll never buy the cheapy one again (cheapy one=$29,000)!

Cat

Hi guys,
I emailed the Chevrolet Customer Assistance center with a list of the issues and the details of how many times I have had it in for service on the clunk (4). They replied and asked that I call the call center 1-800-222-1020, which I did. After about 10 minutes of talking, the CSR put me on hold and called Young Chevrolet here in Omaha to get the scoop. When she came back on, she went through the usual talk of how the dealer has done everything that they can, and she also wanted to know if my concern was reliability. If you have been handed the bulletin at the dealer that says this "objectionable noise" is normal, you know what she was reading. I told her that was secondary, and that the NOISE is the primary concern. We talked another 10 minutes, as I did not want them to think that I was going to let this go by easily. She offered me a 6yr/75,000 mile extended warranty on the driveline for FREE. I did have to ask her to read what is covered. Their first offer did not include the front and rear differentials, or CV shafts, etc. I asked about those, and she added that in. Essentially, she said everything is covered except the engine. This includes the transmission, transfer case, u-joints, driveshafts, etc. I havent received the letter, yet. But, it's in the mail. When it comes, I will take it over to Young and have them review it to see if it will cover everything as an "extended warranty" or if there is a catch that I wasn't told. The CSR assured me there was no catch. I am a skeptic, for obvious reasons.
C

Also, on this same issue, I just heard a rumor last nite that GM is taking "bids" from outside engineers to solve this clunk issue. I have no details, but let's just say that my neighbor has a brother who is an engineer that is involved...I will share more when I get it. This is key, as I will not buy another GM 1/2 ton truck until the clunk issue is documented by GM as being resolved. I will buy a Dodge with the Hemi, before I will buy another GM 1500 truck.

Guys, I bought a new 2003 1500 silverado 4x4 ext cab in June of 2003. Had the "Clunk" from the beginning. Two dealers said it was "normal' according to GM specs. I fought with GM for 4 months to no avail. I filed a claim through their arbutrator the BBB. That was a Joke. I finally filed a Lemon Law claim through an attorney who specializes in Lemon Law claim and got a nice cash settlement form GM in about a month after getting the attorney. If anyone is interested you can email me and I'll be glad to share my experience and the name of the law firm. dgamage@heart.net

I did a bulletin search this morning and found a couple bulletins that MAY apply to the concern on your truck.
My recommendation is to take it back to the dealer and talk to the service manager and ask him to perform a bulletin search on your specific concern while you are standing there with him.
There are 2 bulletins for a 1-2 shudder on those trucks.
I had the 1-2 shudder on my 02 Sierra and I fixed it per the bulletin...Smooth as silk now
If you need more info feel free to PM me.

Gm Merlin I had a post that sounds ans you describe above, a shudder, or studder between 1st and second on my 2001 silverado, do you know the bulletin #

Man, I'm glad I came across this post! For months I have been bouncing between Dodge and Chev and finally settled on Chev. This info has once again put things up in the air.

Can anyone tell me of experiences with the 04'? I'm looking at the 2500 duramax, crew cab 4x4 automatic. Does this infamous clunk exist on this model?

dont know about that but my dad has a 03 2500HD crew with the 496. that thing is whisper quiet and i hear nothing in it. also drive the dodge. it sucks. the rear doors are almost half the size of the silverado. also my buddy i go to races with pulled a loaded 20 ft boxed in trailer and got 5-6 mpg on a 600 mile trip. the next time we took my dads 300 miles and averaged 12-13 with the same load. it pulled so good you can barely tell it is back there compared to the dodge. be sure to drive the dodge and know wht you are getting in to.

You'll only get the clunk with the 4L60E Transmssion. Just mainly annoying. It will short live vehicles that stop and go more. Like taxis and city cop cars. The allison trannys don't clunk. They just hang valves.

Stay cool

I am having a similar problem with my 03 silverado v6. When I let off of the gas and lightly reapply the gas, my tac will fluctuate wildy back and forth between 2,500 and 3,000, or at lower speeds, 1,000 and 1,500. A tach is not supposed to move up and down unless the truck's speed is fluctuating. I have constant speed, yet my tach is surging, along with my truck. I can feel this "misstep" that the motor, or transmission is taking. I have taken it to the dealer and they said something about a problem that GM released and they supposedly fixed it. I have taken it in 3 times and it is still doing the same thing. Do we have a crop of lemons here guys? I thought chevy was supposed to be the best truck on the market. I am seriously thinking of getting rid of mine. One more trip to the dealer, and if this time they cant fix it, I am getting rid of it. If anyone has had similar problems as mine please let me know.

Theres a bore in the valve body that wears out. G.M. has a campaign to "fix" them. From what the aftermarket people say. "It don't" We bore the valve body and install these TCC regulator valves made from special materials. From what I've seen, It takes a certain type of driving that prematurely wears out these bores. Some have 50,000 miles the next rig has 150,000 miles. 2001 the newest I've been through.

Hey, thanks for the reply. Do you know if your dad's got the allison or is it the 5 speed manual?

I've test driven the Dodge and can say this, you know it's a truck. With the weather the way it's been up here (Edmonton, Alberta Canada), the snow on the residential streets has melted then frozen over night for several days. You can just imagine the ruts and bumps. 60 kph down those streets and I was wishing for a kidney belt!

I too had the same problem. I had plans to buy a Superchips power programmer so I waited to see if that help. It really did, as soon as I reprogrammed the computer it shifted great.

costed about $300 for the prpgrammer but my truck is alot faster now :)

Thanks for your input - you described exactly what my truck (same yr/mod as yours) is doing. It is so loud sometimes that drivers next to me look over at my truck with a startled look on their faces! There's no way this kind of gear-slamming can be "normal". I've brought it to my dealers attention two times, both times they say its not a problem. The first time they upgraded the TCM software, the seceond time they just gave it back to me and said it was OK.

I am going to go back a third time and let them know it's not OK, and that I will be pursuing it upstream until it's fixed. This truck had a $38,000+ sticker on it, and is a fantastic vehicle in every way except the clunking drivetrain. I bought this unit to tow a travel trailer and am very concerned that towing might make it worse. No way am I going to let up on this though... it's clearly their problem to fix.




The bulletin reads:

During a 2-3 upshift, the 2-4 band is released and the 3-4 clutch is applied. The timing of this shift can cause a momentary torque reversal of the output shaft that results in a clunk noise. This same torque reversal can also occur on the 3-2 downshift when the 3-4 clutch is released and the 2-4 band applied. This condition may be worse on 4-wheel drive vehicle due to the additionmal tolerances in the transfer case.

This is a normal condition. No repairs should be attempted.

This applies to all light duty trucks 2003 and older.

You have to step up the HD truck to avoid this problem. You would think that they would fix the problem after all of these years, but as long as they are selling them there will be no fix. Chevy refuses to due anything about this problem.[/QUOTE]

There are LEGAL remedies to this problem and it's the ONLY remedy that GM will listen too, if enough people will do it. I gave some detail in a few post back. I was successful and driving a new 2004, 2500HD with no clunking problem and GM paid for most of it. Only the consumer can stop this kind of manufacturing.

Hi guys,
My 2001 Z71 (26000 miles) has clunks in the driveline as well. Park to reverse, 1-2,2-3,2-1. The most annoying clunk I hate is the one when you go around a corner slow and then ease into the gas again. CLUNK!


Wow, this exactly describes the noise I have had on my 2001 Silverado since I bought it. It is just the 2wd extended cab LS with the 4.8L w/ 44,000 miles. Truck never seemed to have a problem and ran fine, so I ignored it. I have a superchip on order (should arrive today WOOHOOO!!) and will see if that makes a difference.

On a side note, I did have to rebuild the transmission recently because 3rd gear was burned and the torque converter was slipping :mad:

i think some of you might find this interesting, i got it from another forum......

Here is the text from the TSB for the 'clunk':

Drive Axles, Rear - Clunk, Bump, or Squawk Noise

File In Section: 04 - Driveline Axle

Bulletin No.: 01-04-17-004

Date: October, 2001

TECHNICAL

Subject:
Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke)


Models:
1999-2002 Chevrolet and GMC Extended Cab Short Box Pickup Models (Silverado and Sierra)
with 4L60-E (RPO M30) or 4L80-E (RPO MT1) Automatic Transmission and Automatic 4WD (RPO NP8)


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 drive shaft slip yoke may cause this condition.



"IM A CHEVY TRANS TECH AND I PAY MY MORTGAGE OFF OF THE DRIVELINE CLUNK.GM SHOULD MAKE A RECALL BUT THEY WON'T.UNDER WARRANTY I REPLACE THE YOLK FOR 4WD'S WITH A NICKEL PLATED YOLK.BUT OUT OF WARRANTY-I REMOVE AND LUBE D/SHAFT AT TRANS WITH GM "SPECIAL LUBE"-GM PART#12345879 DON'T USE YOUR HANDS USE A FLAT TIP SCREWDRIVER AND PUT SOME IN D/SHAFT YOLK AND TRANSFER CASE HOUSING-SHOULD TAKE 10 MINS TO DO AND LAST UP TO 30K MILES-OR BRING TO ME AND I'LL DO IT FOR ABOUT 75.00"

i think its about time chevrolet does a recall....i cant afford 600 bucks for a new "nickel plated yolk"

I'm new to this forum, so thanks in advance for any help.

I have a 2003 Z71. It now has about 12000 miles on it. The clunking problem started at about 3000 miles and was limited to shifts between 1st and 2nd gear. It has been back to the dealer 7 times for this problem.

The tranny was reporgrammed, a nickle plated slip yoke was installed, controls on the 4x4 were replaced, a jumper wire was added to the alternator to reduce electronic noise and now I have a more pronounced clunk between 1 and 2, and it's starting to clunk between all gears.

I've tried to sell the truck, but to two guys that test drove it both said is sounds like it have a U-joint out and was abused! (It's never been off the road.) It has now gotten to the point where I drive my '95 Buick instead of my new truck. It's driving me nuts.

Short of hiring a lawer, is there any way of actully fixing this problem?

Jim

Junk,2003 Silvarado lt 4x4, x-cab loaded top of the line Junk.I have allways been a ford man,I bought this Junk In new In 2003. It still looks like new, the cost list $39,000 I take pride In everything I own, even this Junk.You see I not only have the Famous G M.Clunk,But I aslo have the Famous Piston Slap boy Is this a treat to drive.People make fun of my truck,they stair at me.It gets so loud you can hear It down the block,even my kids make fun of my truck,The file on this truck Is so thick.I,v been at the dealer least 15 times,bad windows,bad trim,bad computers,bad seats,bad egnestion,bad drivers seat that rocks when start and stop at take offs, they tell me this Is Normal,as with the Clunk,as with the Piston slap.as with everything else.I,v been gone to the service manager,sales manager.the owner of the company,the attorney genreals office, the bbb,many,many many calls to customer service,nothing done yet.customer service Is down right Nasty,and Rude.they have even Yelled at me,called me a Lier,and said you own It, Its Normal they Suck,big time. The bank won,t help and they own the truck.G.M knows knows how to fix this problem and It will cost them in the billons to do so.They would rather dump there junk on us.I will never buy a G M car or truck again.I will also be going to the Portland,Oregonian to tell them my story and anybody else that will listen.I will make this my Mission.I,m not going to eat this.I would love everybody out that that has one of these Junks in there drive way to, email me at 2003silvaradolt@usa.com Lets get together and stop Big businness like G.M.from f -us over they need to be stopped.Maybe we should all have a Big Bon fire in front of the dealers stores that sell this garbage,let me know.And yes I,m sorry but I,m sick of being sick of this lemon,lemon,lemon,pison slap,clunk,clunk, junk, junk,Steve.O. Also go check out www.piston slap.com Built like junk

dgamage: I tried to send you an email to obtain the information you are offer, but the message bounced. Can you provide an updated email or post the name of the law firm? There is a growing number of folks here in the NW that want to pursue this issue in a class action format. Thanks!


Guys, I bought a new 2003 1500 silverado 4x4 ext cab in June of 2003. Had the "Clunk" from the beginning. Two dealers said it was "normal' according to GM specs. I fought with GM for 4 months to no avail. I filed a claim through their arbutrator the BBB. That was a Joke. I finally filed a Lemon Law claim through an attorney who specializes in Lemon Law claim and got a nice cash settlement form GM in about a month after getting the attorney. If anyone is interested you can email me and I'll be glad to share my experience and the name of the law firm. dgamage@heart.net

dgamage: I tried to send you an email to obtain the information you are offer, but the message bounced. Can you provide an updated email or post the name of the law firm? There is a growing number of folks here in the NW that want to pursue this issue in a class action format. Thanks!
Hello I,m not sure how this all works so let me know If this Is working my email address Is 2003silvaradolt@usa.com or stevenblt@yahoo.com.I would loke to get in on a class action suit,can you help Steven

I,m going to our local Portland Orgegonian this Whensday the 19th and try to get them to due a story on this issue.I,m, sure they will as they have in the past.anyone that would like to hook up and tell me there story pleas do at 2003silvaradolt@usa.com or stevenblt@yahoo.com thanks.PS dont, buy gas on the 19th of may,these gas prices are killing all of us,Its like getting away with murder

Hi guys,
My 2001 Z71 (26000 miles) has clunks in the driveline as well. Park to reverse, 1-2,2-3,2-1. The most annoying clunk I hate is the one when you go around a corner slow and then ease into the gas again. CLUNK!
I am told it is because of the auto-trac system.
I can believe that. I also believe there to be some engineering defect.
If you change your own oil, next time you are under your truck, grab the "small" driveshaft that comes out of the transfer case and turn it. You will hear the noise in the transfer case. GEEZ. I cannot believe the noise that mine is making is not causing damage.
I have taken it in 3 times. The service writer is a good friend of mine. I have a good friend that is an area GM rep for GMSPO. I have seen the bulletins and, apparently, there is nothing that can be done under the existing policies that GM.
Keep calling and writing GM, as the dealer apparently doesnt want anyone to buy another 1500 4x4. The service mgr wouldnt even take the time to talk with me at Young Chevrolet when I called. I even have a friend, who's wedding I was in, that is asst parts mgr there.
PS: They replaced the "yoke" already right after I bought it with 17k, and another dealer (where I used to work) replaced the rear diff later after my 2nd trip to a dealer. The rear diff replacement cleared up the park to drive clunk I had.

Let me know know if anyone hears anything good from GM.
hello have you gotten the trans problem fixed yet?Do you have the piston slap? cold or hot starts?Do you have any ideas to help?

[QUOTE=dgamage]Guys, I bought a new 2003 1500 silverado 4x4 ext cab in June of 2003. Had the "Clunk" from the beginning. Two dealers said it was "normal' according to GM specs. I fought with GM for 4 months to no avail. I filed a claim through their arbutrator the BBB. That was a Joke. I finally filed a Lemon Law claim through an attorney who specializes in Lemon Law claim and got a nice cash settlement form GM in about a month after getting the attorney. If anyone is interested you can email me and I'll be glad to share my experience and the name of the law firm. dgamage@heart.net[/QUOTE HELLO i TRIED TO EMAIL YOU AND iT BOUNCED BACK,iD LIKE MORE IMFORMATION ON THE LAW FRIM YOUR YOU USED THANKS STEVEN 2003SILVARADOLT@USA.COM

Do the drive shafts still have the carbonfibre sleeve. The older Chevs did my 98 shop truck had the sleeve until it cracked and wrapped up in pieces. We cut it off, since then the drive shaft clunks. this was used as a vibration damper/ silencer. Maybe the newer style truck no longer has this?

The new 2500 do have the same problems. both the stuttering in cruise control going down hills and the noise between 1st and 2nd gears. The 1st dealership showed me a piece of paperwork that states that the noise should be considered as normal but to try these steps to see if it helps the problem. But the paper doesn't show the steps and he didn't know what they were. My truck has 1700 miles on it. I wish I had known of this before i bought it. Now what? Well off to another dealership to see what they say.

had same problem on 2000 k1500, dealer did grease, yoke, did not fix

decided to try myself and noticed a lot of rear spring wrap and the driveshaft snaping up and down as axle hosing twisted so i installed some torsion springs i got from jcwhitney to the front of the rear springs and i havent heard that dam clunk since, have since put on a supercharger ,lift and 35's and replaced springs with a nice set of stainless torsion bars from rcd and there is no clunk and the rear end hook up awsum, no clunk no shudder no wheeel hope, just squits and goes,

I have a 99' z71 it cluncks when puttingit into gear and going into or out of reverse. The dealer says its normal ? I asked a machanic at work who has about 40 company vechicles 1500 and 2500 2wd he works on. He says "they all do that, drive it till it breaks". I hope that does not come to soon 56k seems to soon for a major repair. Does any one know will this harm the trucks drive train? Should I $hell out some cash now to avoid big buck?

sniff, sniff, i'm going to look at a ford to day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok,, put some lader bars on the rear, Hmm why did'nt i think of that??
oh, lowering the line pressure , throught the computer ,will make it less pain full to put it in rev or drive .


Last winter it was snowing for about 3 months here in seattle ,and the wife drove it to work, I noticed as she was out in the street locking in the 4x4. I had her drive forward then stop and drive back, I noticed the left rear tire turned about 3/4 turn before it took up the lack in the rearend,Hmmm now what ,,,shim the spyder gears some more or what?

Does same problem exist with similarly equipped GMC Sierra, i.e. 2500HD with 6.0 Vortec and towing package?

Does same problem exist with similarly equipped GMC Sierra, i.e. 2500HD with 6.0 Vortec and towing package?

I have the 02, 2WD 2500HD with the tow pkg. and the two piece drive shaft. I never notice the slight clunk when towing my 6800 lb. travel trailer. But, I do have a slight clunk when coming off hwy run, stopping, then starting off again. Seems to only do it when hot. It is still under warranty, so may take it in and see what they say. Tech's on other groups say that grease will be temp. fix.

Thanks for reply, MCR10. I've seen lots of posts complaining about the "clunk". Oddly enough, I took it out today and no clunk whatsoever. Shifts smooth as silk. Dealer had told me the electronics sense driving habits and possible that my letting it sit for 2 weeks caused it to "reset" and in the process the clunking occurred. Sounds like a line to me, but it's O.K. now. Guess I'll wait and see if it recurs.

had same problem on 2000 k1500, dealer did grease, yoke, did not fix

decided to try myself and noticed a lot of rear spring wrap and the driveshaft snaping up and down as axle hosing twisted so i installed some torsion springs i got from jcwhitney to the front of the rear springs and i havent heard that dam clunk since, have since put on a supercharger ,lift and 35's and replaced springs with a nice set of stainless torsion bars from rcd and there is no clunk and the rear end hook up awsum, no clunk no shudder no wheeel hope, just squits and goes,

I have a 2000 K1500 that I bought with 36k miles on it and it didn't clunk. Now it has 41k on it and it clunks all of the time....but...when I pull a goose neck horse trailer or carry any load in the bed it doesn't clunk. In fact it drives and rides soooo much better with weight in the back. I have heard about the springs twisting and will look into that. Also, mjgjr72 what supercharger did you go with? I'm thnking about buying one but I need some advice please.
Sonny

I have a 2000 K1500 that I bought with 36k miles on it and it didn't clunk. Now it has 41k on it and it clunks all of the time....but...when I pull a goose neck horse trailer or carry any load in the bed it doesn't clunk. In fact it drives and rides soooo much better with weight in the back. I have heard about the springs twisting and will look into that. Also, mjgjr72 what supercharger did you go with? I'm thnking about buying one but I need some advice please.
Sonny

Same here with mine. Rides much better with weight in the back or pulling my trailer with approx. 1000 lb. tongue wt. No clunk or lag at all which indicates that it is not the trans. I have read on other groups that the HD's have a much stiffer suspension which, when unloaded in the rear, places the bed higher and the u-joints /drive shafts at a steeper angle which cause them to clunk somewhat. Unusual though, that mine only does it only after driving for sometime and everything is warm. Also, read a lot of info that greasing the spline is a temp fix. So, it sounds like it could be several things on diff. models causing the clunk. I am going to check under there for loose bolts or worn mounts and see if that could be causing some of it.
MR

Well I,m still here yes i still have this junk-clunk silvarado lt.I,ve gone to the knightridder news san franciso bay area, trying to get the freepress, to help,gone to the attorney generals office,gone to the portland oregon,spoke to a couple of attorneys her in portland,they say I have a case,I need others with the same problems to come forward.As a team we can kick there buts,One on one they win,what do you want to do let me Know thanks Steven owens email me at 2003silvaradolt@usa.com or call 1-503-880-3069

Well I,m still here yes i still have this junk-clunk silvarado lt.I,ve gone to the knightridder news san franciso bay area, trying to get the freepress, to help,gone to the attorney generals office,gone to the portland oregon,spoke to a couple of attorneys her in portland,they say I have a case,I need others with the same problems to come forward.As a team we can kick there buts,One on one they win,what do you want to do let me Know thanks Steven owens email me at 2003silvaradolt@usa.com or call 1-503-880-3069

I would guess your clunk is much worse than mine, hence I don't think I need to pursue legal action. That is not to say that mine will not get worse, but it did get better.......read on. I am looking at this problem from an engineering point of view; i.e. u-joint & cv-joint alignment/ misalignment, torque constraints etc. Below is a post I made the other day on alt.trucks.chevy. Check out the bolt tightening I did that relieved some of the clunk and see what you think about inserting some temp. spacers(wood or otherwise) in the space between the bottom springs and the next spring up. It is near impossible to put enough clamping force on the rear axle housing with the u-bolts to keep the axle and rear from rotating under certain acceleration conditions due to the bottom springs having a space between them and the upper springs. This is the only connection of axle housing to frame and why they left a space between the springs is a mystery to me; unless it was for a softer ride and still have the load capacity. It is not a sound design IMHO. If you take any of the steps below, be sure and let us know of your results and I will do the same.
TIA,
MR
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Post from alt.trucks.chevy
I happen to notice when I am towing my 30ft. RV, I don't have any
clunk at all in the rear end. I do have a little hesitation or
wrap-up and clunk or catch when not towing starting off from a stop.
My hitch weight is around 1k lbs. when towing and the truck is level
with the weight dist. hitch. So, I started looking at the spring and
axle configuration and saw that the bottom leaf at both ends only,
where the pads are, has about 1/2"- to 3/4" space between it and the
next leaf up when unloaded and not towing. When hitched up for towing
there is no space between the springs at all. I noticed that there is
no torque arms on the rear axle which mean that all the torque is
taken up in the springs at each end where they attach to the frame.
With the rear not loaded I put a wrench on the u-bolts that clamp the
springs to axle and was able to put approx. 3/4- to one turn on most
of the bolts. On a recent trip of 900 mile or so, I noticed that when
not towing most of the clunk/wrap-up is gone except when accelerating
rapidly. I plan to load the rear up with my trailer again and see if
I can take up on the bolts any more without over torquing them. I
would guess though, that it would be better to not have the space at
the ends of the bottom spring which would not rely on the u-bolts to
keep the axle housing from rotating. This I suspect is what lets the
u-joints get over misaligned so that they are out of spec on the max.
misalignment angles and causing a clunk or snap. I may cut some
blocks of wood to fill the spaces on the springs and see if that
completely eliminates the problem. I would like to hear if anyone
else has tried this.
TIA
MR

I have a 99' z71 it cluncks when puttingit into gear and going into or out of reverse. The dealer says its normal ? I asked a machanic at work who has about 40 company vechicles 1500 and 2500 2wd he works on. He says "they all do that, drive it till it breaks". I hope that does not come to soon 56k seems to soon for a major repair. Does any one know will this harm the trucks drive train? Should I $hell out some cash now to avoid big buck?

Darn. I should have read your post and that would have confirmed my thoughts about the rear end wrapping up and making the u-joints get over-axis and cause the clunking. The web site even has a diagram showing the results of wrap-up. Thanks a bunch. Looks like the RCD Trac-Link would be the answer without spending a bundle.
MR

fix this chevy clunk junk

You guys are making way too big of a deal out of this. I have a 2002 ext. cab Z71, I bought it new and its benn doing it from the beginning. Use some common sence, its nobodys transmission "clunking", its just the play in the driveline between the trans. and rear axle, slightly enhanced by the leafsprings letting the axle wrap. Its nothing to be worried about, if its that much of an annoyance, turn on the radio or something, dont go buy a Ford P.O.S. Some of you people make me sick.

You guys are making way too big of a deal out of this. I have a 2002 ext. cab Z71, I bought it new and its benn doing it from the beginning. Use some common sence, its nobodys transmission "clunking", its just the play in the driveline between the trans. and rear axle, slightly enhanced by the leafsprings letting the axle wrap. Its nothing to be worried about, if its that much of an annoyance, turn on the radio or something, dont go buy a Ford P.O.S. Some of you people make me sick.
Thanks for your advice.Sorry to say that its not in the drive line Its comming from a design flaw In the transmiision.Which causes slack in the rear end,the result Is a loud clunk sound when It shifts from 2nd to third and from third to 2nd.You could be one of the lucky ones If you are I,m happy for you.This is a problem In thousthands of trucks G.M, Is taking the chichen way out,they are screwing ther e customers and getting away with It

Ya know I'm new here.
Just to let you know this is a great board/
Ok I had been looking at a 01/03.
I drove both.
The o1 drove out great.
5.3//Only thing I have heard is the piston slap issue or problem in 01..

Ok I have heard GM changed the type of pistons the were using in 03>?
Thought I would test drive one..

The truck drove like a road wagon had a whine
Once when shifting between gears>?
Automatic..Both were.

A clunking from the front end
Felt as if a shock was not tight or Bushing
in the shock was wore out...

The truck only had 15.300 miles..

Now I was leaning towared the 01
It is on a dealers lot the 03 is
A private sale..

Anything else to look for when buying one..

I think if it was me I would see about a CLASS ACTION LAWSUITE..

I don't know how that works.
But it seems to me GM has really droped the ball HERE BIG TIME..
And getting by with it.
That is what I hate about it..

Hell no you shouild not be having PISTON SLAP
and be told it's noemal.
Hell no a truck with 11.000 miles having
TRANS CLUNCK and to be told it's normal..

Now after reading these comments I'm sure it's prob 99 percent of the trucks.

I was looking at a TOYOTA..
A few folks at work have them they have not had no kind of problems like this..

Now several guys also have the silverados/
1/a 95 with 270.000 miles on it..
Mike has had no problems at all out of his truck.
Just general maintance.
Now I would think it would be normal
Now if he heard a clunck now and again.
Another fellow has a 96 Silverado
Well over a 100k on it No problems//
I think he had the trans rebilt at just over 100 k/
That you can live with.
My bud has a 96 with a tad over a 100k
No problems for as well
These guys love these trucks.
But they are 95 and 96///What GM forget how to build a lasting truck
After 96>??

I will need to think twice before laying my money down..
Sorry to say..

GM replaced the tranny in mine last month (2003 Z71) . . . now it's worse. Not only does it clunk between 2-3, 3-2, but now it slips out of gear when decelerating and then "bangs" back in when you step on the gas. The mechanic says it might be elctrical. GM Tac says its normal, even though it never has done it before.

Since the problem has been going on since last September, we're going to a "hearing" next week, and then off to court.

R the same problems with the 04'S>?

Man I would have hated to Buy one new and have this Crap happening..

R the same problems with the 04'S>?

Man I would have hated to Buy one new and have this Crap happening..

The TSB about the problem has been extended to include the '04s

Just keeps getting better.
My dad Bought 68 c10 new.
It had well over a 100k on it
Without the trans problems we are seeing now
It ran great ..It would bark the tires while changing gears.1>2
Stock Auto Hmmm I want to say it had a 307
Planted in it...
Only thing dad did not like was he said the truck never did get good gas millage.
But gas was a bit cheaper then>?

P.S

AFTER THOUGHT//

IS this problem showing up more in the 4x4s ext cabs.
4X4 Reg cab shortbed>?

2 whell drive ext cab ?

2 whell drive short bed reg cab?

What exactly is the problem>?


I had been looking at a 01/and a 03
So far I have not heard about this problem
In the 01's right?

Just the annoying piston slap issue

Ok ? on the 01 5.3
reg cab short bed,,

I have read they rated the gas millage on this yr
at 11-12 in city 13-14 on the road/
That is why I started looking at the 03's
Now I'm hearing nightmares about them
But it looks like they did improve the gas millage
To 15 15 1/2 city
19 191/2 highway

Hmmm I just don't know

I can get the 01 at a pretty good price it has 40.k on it
runs and drives great..

The 03 I can pick up for 16,500 to 17,000
has 15,400 miles on it..


Thanks

Nave

ok I have been doing some thinking and
looking into pricing right now
Here is a few qs on a 04..

Good and bad...Is the piston slap took care on the o4s

Oh one other thing I have looked at a few
And there is a listing on the window sticker
COMFORT RIDE ADDED>??
Anyone knows what this might.be.

Now the one I'm looking at says it heavy duty suspension
Any know what the DIFF is//

Both info is from
2 whell drives..
short beds.

I'm thinking of going with one>? of the 04's

Ya know I'm new here.
Just to let you know this is a great board/
Ok I had been looking at a 01/03.
I drove both.
The o1 drove out great.
5.3//Only thing I have heard is the piston slap issue or problem in 01..

Ok I have heard GM changed the type of pistons the were using in 03>?
Thought I would test drive one..

The truck drove like a road wagon had a whine
Once when shifting between gears>?
Automatic..Both were.

A clunking from the front end
Felt as if a shock was not tight or Bushing
in the shock was wore out...

The truck only had 15.300 miles..

Now I was leaning towared the 01
It is on a dealers lot the 03 is
A private sale..

Anything else to look for when buying one..

I think if it was me I would see about a CLASS ACTION LAWSUITE..

I don't know how that works.
But it seems to me GM has really droped the ball HERE BIG TIME..
And getting by with it.
That is what I hate about it..

Hell no you shouild not be having PISTON SLAP
and be told it's noemal.
Hell no a truck with 11.000 miles having
TRANS CLUNCK and to be told it's normal..

Now after reading these comments I'm sure it's prob 99 percent of the trucks.

I was looking at a TOYOTA..
A few folks at work have them they have not had no kind of problems like this..

Now several guys also have the silverados/
1/a 95 with 270.000 miles on it..
Mike has had no problems at all out of his truck.
Just general maintance.
Now I would think it would be normal
Now if he heard a clunck now and again.
Another fellow has a 96 Silverado
Well over a 100k on it No problems//
I think he had the trans rebilt at just over 100 k/
That you can live with.
My bud has a 96 with a tad over a 100k
No problems for as well
These guys love these trucks.
But they are 95 and 96///What GM forget how to build a lasting truck
After 96>??

I will need to think twice before laying my money down..
Sorry to say..
Hello Nave,sorry it took so long to get back.I will tell you this i would not buy a g,m product of any kind.G,M does not stand behind there cars and trucks.They still won,t fix my truck.The clunk is still there,and so is the piston slap.They still say its Normal.I,m now dealing with the bbb which Is a meidation between G.M.and myself.I just found out that the dealer that ripped my transmission out at 12,000 miles.Which is town and country chevolet In portland oregon may be the one,s that have caused this problem,as It didn,t do it when i took it to them.There pushing it off on G.M.All I know Is I want this truck fixed.If I was you I would buy a Dodge or a Ford at least they stand behind there care,s and trucks.When ford had this problem they recalled them, all and fixed them, so did dodge.As I said I think the feds should bust them and shut them down.G,M knows how to fix the problem they just won,t Its all about money not there customers.thanks again for you reply.Steven

from 2003silvaradolt@usa.com Yes I,m still here and G.M.Is still jerking me around.I now have about 30,000 miles on this truck, the piston slap Is getting louder, as with the transmission clunk.The only thing G.M has offerd Is free oil changes,and then they said they will x-stend my warranity for 24,000 I said no thanks.I want the truck fixed they said no, Its Normal no repair needed.Now I,m having trouble with my windows,and the computers there are 4, I guess there not speaking to each other, so my truck doesn,t always want to start.They said nothing they can do till It breaks.So I have to deal with it.My seats move when i hit the remote.and i don,t have them programed to do that.They say Its a computer problem again.It just goes on and on It,s always something with this junk-clunk.I will have to get a attorney i guess In the end.I have also gotten another email address Its.chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com please spread the word lets see to it that G.M does the wright thing for all of us.wish me luck steven

GM replaced the tranny in mine last month (2003 Z71) . . . now it's worse. Not only does it clunk between 2-3, 3-2, but now it slips out of gear when decelerating and then "bangs" back in when you step on the gas. The mechanic says it might be elctrical. GM Tac says its normal, even though it never has done it before.

Since the problem has been going on since last September, we're going to a "hearing" next week, and then off to court.
Sounds like the same as mine do you have an attorney you can recomend for me,I,m now dealing with the bbb.My phone # Is 503-880-3069 emil is chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com thanks again Steven

You guys are making way too big of a deal out of this. I have a 2002 ext. cab Z71, I bought it new and its benn doing it from the beginning. Use some common sence, its nobodys transmission "clunking", its just the play in the driveline between the trans. and rear axle, slightly enhanced by the leafsprings letting the axle wrap. Its nothing to be worried about, if its that much of an annoyance, turn on the radio or something, dont go buy a Ford P.O.S. Some of you people make me sick.
You must not have the same problem as I do, cause i can hear this over the radio,Its that loud.Hows your hearing anyway.Or maybe you just don,t care yourself.And by the way, I,v had this truck to three transmission repairs shops, and all three say its a defective gear in the transmission that can be fixed.Its not Normal.If we all stick together we can solve this problem results are about volume thanks steven

Sounds like the same as mine do you have an attorney you can recomend for me,I,m now dealing with the bbb.My phone # Is 503-880-3069 emil is chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com thanks again Steven

I couldn't find an attorney in my area that handled lemon law issues so I did all of the legwork and negotiating myself. I kept logs of all of the problems, took it to an independent transmission shop for analysis and compared it to other similar trucks. GM did finally agreed to offer me a very good trade on my truck for a 2005. I ordered the new truck last week and because I've driven quite a few Chevy pickups that didn't have this problem, I'm relatively confident that the new one will be fine. My advice is to look at you state's lemon law and see if you qualify . . . if you do, you should be able to get some settlement. You're right, this is not normal.

I couldn't find an attorney in my area that handled lemon law issues so I did all of the legwork and negotiating myself. I kept logs of all of the problems, took it to an independent transmission shop for analysis and compared it to other similar trucks. GM did finally agreed to offer me a very good trade on my truck for a 2005. I ordered the new truck last week and because I've driven quite a few Chevy pickups that didn't have this problem, I'm relatively confident that the new one will be fine. My advice is to look at you state's lemon law and see if you qualify . . . if you do, you should be able to get some settlement. You're right, this is not normal.Hello jshanks,i,m so glad things worked out for you ,also i wish you well with your new truck.As to mine I can,t use the lemon law as my truck is over the 12,000 miles and 1 year.so i will just stay on them tell they get off there butts,Its a real shame cause the problem is there,s and now they,ve maid it mine.I have a company In Oregon that is going to rap the truck in green vinyle,with the words Piston Slap,Clunk Junk, and Lemon,then i will drive it that wayto down town Portland Oregon,I,m sure the radio stations and the news papers will pick it up.I also have written the knigtridder In San Francisco,they say they may write a story.thanks again

That should get someone's attention. The squeaky wheel . . .

That should get someone's attention. The squeaky wheel . . .I think so thanks

I am extremely disappointed with this, too. I am getting the same runaround in Eugene, OR. This problem has me pissed and I'm not sure where to go next to get this resolved. The tranny was smooth for a week or so and then started clunking. I asked the dealership about it and they said to wait until about 12,000 miles were on the car. The problem persisted so I went back. That's when they gave me the standard reply. I, too, am going to check into this problem and see if the lemon law applies. I will NEVER buy another GM product and will probably go with a Toyota unless these idiots fix the problem soon.

I thought I was alone, I may have an older unit, I did buy it new(1998 Z71, K1500 with 77,000 miles) but it went from clunk to BOOM! the diff. gernaded, and ring & pinion gears looked like a normal ring & pinion gears...with no teeth! I have a 1979 C20 with over 500,000 miles and it never clunks, breaks, or leaves me walking. Hell I dont even check or change oil in it, same with all the other vital fluids. I did need to repair radiator once, but I found out by the engine quitting from over heat (no water) just let it cool for 20 min and started it right back up and drove it 24 more miles with no water.don't even have a trans dipstick (don't even know if it has a trans. never seen it). Now GMC decided they can't have trucks lasting this long, no profit for the ac delco parts division.

I am extremely disappointed with this, too. I am getting the same runaround in Eugene, OR. This problem has me pissed and I'm not sure where to go next to get this resolved. The tranny was smooth for a week or so and then started clunking. I asked the dealership about it and they said to wait until about 12,000 miles were on the car. The problem persisted so I went back. That's when they gave me the standard reply. I, too, am going to check into this problem and see if the lemon law applies. I will NEVER buy another GM product and will probably go with a Toyota unless these idiots fix the problem soon.Hello.Welcome to the Junk world of G.M. trucks and cars they are sure making some Junk these days,It didn,t use to be this way,but things have changed,They don,t care about there customers any more only about selling metal,what a shame,I,m so pissed with this truck,I,d like to take to the Dealer and set fire to It.But of course I would go to jail.It just might be woth It.I will have to wheigh out my options.I,m supprized there isn,t a lawyer out there that wants to take this on.Its a win, win, all day long...G.M.seems to have all the power against the little people.I sent a very long email today to Lars Larson,here in Portland,Oregon he runs a radio and tv show here in Potland OregonI bet they wouldn,t push him around.I hope he will help us all.He,s station has the power to get this out to millions of people just like us.I,m never going to give up on this.I will find a way.I,m not going away.I want justice for all of us.This is Wrong, sticking us with all there Junk,junk, piston slap crap.I will never buy a G.M again.Lets get the word out.thanks steven 503-880-3069 team work is what It takes

I purchased a 2004 crew cab LT 4x4 fully loaded truck brand spanking new, I noticed this clunking noise when the auto-transmission shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear. I am pissed, this is ridiculous, I am taking it in to the dealer monday to see what they can do about it.

Any info on what I can do legally would be appreciated. Have any of you gotten satisfaction from GM yet?

We have a lemon law in Alaska but, they have to try and correct the problem 3 times first.

I purchased a 2004 crew cab LT 4x4 fully loaded truck brand spanking new, I noticed this clunking noise when the auto-transmission shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear. I am pissed, this is ridiculous, I am taking it in to the dealer monday to see what they can do about it.

Any info on what I can do legally would be appreciated. Have any of you gotten satisfaction from GM yet?

We have a lemon law in Alaska but, they have to try and correct the problem 3 times first.
Hello big blue,Thanks for your resopnes.If your looking for any help from g.m.Don,t hold Your Breath.As you will surely die.I have a hearing this Friday in Portland Oregon,With the bbb.and gm.The best thing would be for as many people as possible to show up.complainning just won,t do it.I wish all the local people hear in oregon would get involved,instead of just sitting on there butt.Call me at 1-503-880-3069 lets get g.m to fix these junks.My email address is chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com lets hear from everyone that has one of these JUNKS.This is the worst truck I have ever bought, and the last chevy or g.m produck i will ever buy, there nothing but clunk junks.,they suck big time.driving a chevey and hateing every minute.

Update: October 25, 04

I took my truck into the dealership, they told me it was normal and gave me a copy of the technical service bulletin. Tried to tell me there is no problem and that the noise is normal.

Now any average person knows that when metal hits metal over and over again, especially if it is loud enough for the driver to hear and feel it, that piece of metal is going to wear out fast. I am trying to decide what my next step is....

Update: October 25, 04

I took my truck into the dealership, they told me it was normal and gave me a copy of the technical service bulletin. Tried to tell me there is no problem and that the noise is normal.

Now any average person knows that when metal hits metal over and over again, especially if it is loud enough for the driver to hear and feel it, that piece of metal is going to wear out fast. I am trying to decide what my next step is....
Hello big blue.Thanks for your respones,Your so right doesn,t matter if you live in La,or New York the answer Is allways the same.You will just have to stay on them hard.This is so criminal of G.M.They know Its a Problem, and they also know how to fix It.But that wood cost them millions.There really not in the cars business there in the banking business, and not very good at that either as far i Ican see.One thing I,m sure of he they know how build "''Junk'''.I,m starting to get lots of emails.""""""Come on everyone out there that has one of junks please email me and let me know.chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com or call me at 503-880-3069 Also sent your complaints to your local Attorney Generals office.and to the bbb in your State.Also any Oregon Attorney that would like to help us give me a call or email stay in touch Steven

Hello to everyone out there that are driving these GM.JUNK CLUNKS, PISTON SLAPPING JUNKS.Lets here from you email me at chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com.Your not going to get help by just complaining to each other. This is war against G.M.There sticking us with there junk and laughing all the way to the bank.Its just down right criminal.So get on your computer and tell me your story now.I will aslo tell you that those of you that have the famous clunk I found a person that has been working on trainsmissions for 22 years, and says he can make it shift right with no clunk.So why can,t GM?Why you ask, HMMMMMMMMM ya think Its about money?Yes.I want to hear from you soon.

Hello this is 2003chevyclunkjunkpistonslap@yahoo.com Just want everyone to know that i have a hearing with GM.and the BBB.In Portland Oregon I,m sure It will be lots of fun.They will say everything is normal.I will say that its not normal.I was woundering, If Its normal why don,t they put it in our manuals?Why don,t they advertize it, and tell us before we spend all our money.HMMMMMMMMM because its not normal.Shame on you GM.

Hi all. I did a search on the net this morning because I am SOOOO freaking frustrated w/ Chevy and my stupid, stupid truck. I have a 2003 2500HD Crew Cab w/ 35k miles. Well, I have brought it in a couple times now, lets see- for the: horrible downshifting going uphill, clunking when taking off and shifting, clunking when the wheel is turned all the way (I guess this is a huge prob w/ them and the drive shaft part to fix it is on a global b/o), 4wd not in service, SURGING WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWNHILL!!, low coolant level light and levels down an inch after filling (supposedly can't find a leak), unreliable brakes, windows rattling, seatbelts locking - the list goes on! I know a lot of this has service bulletins to fix it but I just heard from the dealer yesterday that chevy HAS A BULLETIN OUT STATING THE SURGING IN CRUISE IN NORMAL?!?!?!? That is such BS!!!! Anyhow have an idea of what my options are?!? I am in NH and the lemon law doesn't cover any vehicles over 9000 lbs and of course mine is 9200lbs. Why the heck would there ever be such a stupid law out there that protects a huge company like GM from taking back a pos truck that is a lemon?!?!? Anyhow, any ideas ??? I am freaking out and pissed at GM right now. I've already taken this to BBB and arbitration although that's a freaking joke. I have an 02 Tahoe Z71 before this that had the piston slap and was able to get GM to give me the 100k warranty but traded it for this pos. I'm out of warranty in a couple hundred miles and am desperate to figure out what I can do to make GM responsible for their pos truck they won't take responsibility for. Anyone know of a class action lawsuit out there?? I am willing to do what I need to. If it wasn't lettered w/ my hubby's business all over it- I'd be freaking throwing the same decals as someone else mentioned about it being a POS - don't buy! Please IM or e-mail me.. AOL IM teshiaSHI or e-mail moosecountry@gmail.com . Thank you!

My Truck (2003 Silverado ECSB 1500 Z-71 LT) has these same problems..

1) horrible downshifting going uphill
2) clunking when taking off and shifting,
3) 4wd not in service message
4) SURGING WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWNHILL!!
5) windows /door panels? rattling,
6) seatbelts locking

I also am in NH? where do you take your truck? Portsmouth Chevy rots.. they do not help at all! :( I want to find a good dealer to look into a couple problems that my truck has..

sounds like the 03 chevys are junk then?

Big time junk and I def would not recommend this truck. There should be laws against a big company like GM from bullying their customers like they are. There is no reason they should legally be able to state something (anything they can't fix or is too big of a problem to admit to) is "normal" and get away with it. They are taking advantage of the little people .. yet the little people are the ones making them who they are in the first place. Their customer service sucks big time- they are very narrow minded and tight lipped about everything. As far as I'm concerned- what they are doing is fraud and I will contact a lawyer (who has the 'you know what' to actually stand up to these giants) and see what the consumer's rights are. I will let him know this could very well turn into a class action lawsuit if we make enough noise- who knows- you never know unless you try! If anyone else has contacted a lawyer (I know someone else said they did) maybe you could share that information. Maybe w/ enough lawyers contacting each other - they could form this for us.

Also, I'm trying to get the service bulletin that is out on the surging while in cruise control. Anyone can go to www.alldata.com and sign up to get the service bulletins on the Chevy.

Anyone else from NH - please, e-mail me at moosecountry@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you.

-T

Sorry for the million posts. I found this when I did a google search.. maybe this can help someone out w/ the surging while in cruise. This was from a post on edmunds.com .

************************************************** **

#3853 of 4502 Cruise control oddity... by letsgetmikey Jan 30, 2004 (9:09 am)


Reply
I have an O4 Sierra.


When going downhill at interstate highway speeds with the cruise control engaged, I can feel hesitation/surging, like the cruise control unit can't figure out whether to accelerate or not. Feels like a miss in the engine, but it has to be something related to the cruise unit. Doesn't happen without cruise on.


Any thoughts? Probably going to get blank stares from service dept. when I take it in.


Mikey


#3854 of 4502 Mike by rayt2 Jan 30, 2004 (11:16 am)


Reply
Mine acts the same way since new, 2000 LS 2500 X-Cab and 46k. I mentioned once to dealer and you can guess the answer "normal" ! Basically the cruise is trying to maintain the set speed since gearing and roll resistance play a factor it may very well seem like surging and hesitation when it's not, it's coasting and acceleration taking place.


Ray T.


#3855 of 4502 Cruise Control by noobie1 Jan 31, 2004 (12:26 pm)


Reply
If it's "normal", why don't they all do it? Mine doesn't, so I've never studied this problem. But you can envision what would happen if the feedback information (speed sensor) occurred once per second (e.g., your situation) rather than ten times per second (e.g., normal). In the latter case the adjustments would appear transparent. In the former, hesitation. Why it occurs only down hill? Puzzling. Maybe something to do with free play in the drivetrain. Also, the Throttle Position Sensor may be providing faulty information at a particular position (near closed). Lots of possibilities. Software? It would take a smart, dedicated tech to figure it out. Not something you normally find at a Chevy dealership.


-David

Hello all.
My 2001 Z71 now has 32000 on it. Same problem with the clunkS I described on page 3 or 4 of this thread.
I have no other complaints about the truck...I have heard about the cold start knock, but mine does not do that....Search on this and you may find an inexpensive thing to try is to use an AC Delco oil filter with your next oil change...I read that some oil filters' bypass valve, or lack of, causes the cold start knock...If your knock is faint and very short during start up, this is one thing to try.
BTW, I did get the letter from GM for the free extended warranty (6yr/75k) on the driveline (minus engine).

As far as the *ssholes that say to turn up the radio, they usually are the ones at the service desk at the Chevy dealer that are driving 1982 Celicas... :) I worked in parts at a local GM dealer through college and that's a fact!

is this only on the 2003s?

what is the clunk i have a 2002 chevy z71 looks alot like yours cad but that i know it doesnt have that clunk your talkin about that i know ofs, nor does it have the piston slap

See my post on page 3 or 4...I described in pretty good detail.

oh ok ya i get that from time to time but i had that on my old truck and it was a 1996

Hello everyone out there in Chevy JUNK world.Just a note to say that i went to the hearing and it was a big Joke.I think GM.the pigs that they are must also own the bbb.That was a waste of my 4 hours.They treat you like dirt, and were rudd and no help at all.I guess the only way were going to get justice is to sue GM.The GM rep sat there in the meeting and admited to my concerns of the the piston slap and the clunk from the transmission.And also said that its Nomal offered a limited warranity with a smerk on his face.I walked in there with a stack 3 inhes thick with documention, it did nothing.I had the facts,but not the power.The only way to beet these Jerks is to Sue them, so what are we all waiting for.If you let GM ware you down then we all loose.They need to fix these junks.everyone out there, call your Attorney General Office and file your complaints, then go find a good Attorney.GM is doing the wrong thing lets fix that today.

silveradoltusa u got to check out cartrackers.com forum iam sure that alot of people there re on your side and LOTS of talk about class action sue,alot has to do with pistonslap.com and gm tranny's taking a shit early? oh but that's normal!

silveradoltusa u got to check out cartrackers.com forum iam sure that alot of people there re on your side and LOTS of talk about class action sue,alot has to do with pistonslap.com and gm tranny's taking a shit early? oh but that's normal!
Thank you so much,i will do that, also thanks for adding me to the list thats way cool. Also is if i didn,t mined going to jail, I wood take this truck to GM and burn it right at the factory.I might have a change of heart real soon these GM jerks have really got me pissed off.Stay cool.

Hi all. I did a search on the net this morning because I am SOOOO freaking frustrated w/ Chevy and my stupid, stupid truck. I have a 2003 2500HD Crew Cab w/ 35k miles. Well, I have brought it in a couple times now, lets see- for the: horrible downshifting going uphill, clunking when taking off and shifting, clunking when the wheel is turned all the way (I guess this is a huge prob w/ them and the drive shaft part to fix it is on a global b/o), 4wd not in service, SURGING WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWNHILL!!, low coolant level light and levels down an inch after filling (supposedly can't find a leak), unreliable brakes, windows rattling, seatbelts locking - the list goes on! I know a lot of this has service bulletins to fix it but I just heard from the dealer yesterday that chevy HAS A BULLETIN OUT STATING THE SURGING IN CRUISE IN NORMAL?!?!?!? That is such BS!!!! Anyhow have an idea of what my options are?!? I am in NH and the lemon law doesn't cover any vehicles over 9000 lbs and of course mine is 9200lbs. Why the heck would there ever be such a stupid law out there that protects a huge company like GM from taking back a pos truck that is a lemon?!?!? Anyhow, any ideas ??? I am freaking out and pissed at GM right now. I've already taken this to BBB and arbitration although that's a freaking joke. I have an 02 Tahoe Z71 before this that had the piston slap and was able to get GM to give me the 100k warranty but traded it for this pos. I'm out of warranty in a couple hundred miles and am desperate to figure out what I can do to make GM responsible for their pos truck they won't take responsibility for. Anyone know of a class action lawsuit out there?? I am willing to do what I need to. If it wasn't lettered w/ my hubby's business all over it- I'd be freaking throwing the same decals as someone else mentioned about it being a POS - don't buy! Please IM or e-mail me.. AOL IM teshiaSHI or e-mail moosecountry@gmail.com . Thank you!
Well hello again I did find you,lets see It goes like this.you drive to the chevy store in my case its Carr chevy world in Beverton Oregon.you get there and you want to buy the best you can,so you buy a new 2003 silveradolt 4x4 x cab loaded with everything chevy has to offer.You drive home your so happy with your new truck.Then the one day it hits 12,000 miles and all hell breaks loose.Lets see how it unfolds.they replace all the gears in your trans fer case,then they tear into your transmission,then its a alternator,then its all the rattles from them not putting things back the right way.Then you drive home and all od a suden you have this clunk sound that wasn,t there before,you take it back and they say thats NORMAL,then its both the windows that do want to move,then its the door panel that comes loose,then its the I don,t want to start knight mare they can,t fix,then the computers that don,t want to speak to each other causing all kinds of hell.Then it doesn,t want to go in 4 wheel drive,then when it does it won,t come out,then its the rear frame mount that breaks and makes a raccett,then its the seats and the mirrows that move all over when you hit the remote even when there not programed to do so,then its the wheather stripping around the rear widow,then its lets replace the window,then the radio changes station when open the doors ,Of course the famous piston slap,The fron tire that are out of round,Then It the lastest the tail gate hinges,and while i,m there they they might just as whellreplace the instrument dash panel,and fix the srupine belt,Oh yes and the poopins sound comming from my drivers seat that Normal.I know that i,m missing something else itwill come tome next time i go to drive it,So it looks like we both are driving GM Chevy Clunk Junks piston slap peace of garbage.Now if you go to www.pistonslap.com on that site you can click on attorneys in your State.With any luck you,ll find one.In orgon ther weren,t any,but ther was in cal,give it a try.You could allways drive It to GM and set fire to It.If you own it, Its really no big deal.he good thing Is you,ll hit the stations and the news.They are the ones that can help they have all the power to help us all.

Thank you so much,i will do that, also thanks for adding me to the list thats way cool. Also is if i didn,t mined going to jail, I wood take this truck to GM and burn it right at the factory.I might have a change of heart real soon these GM jerks have really got me pissed off.Stay cool.
Yeah, you gotta get a lawyer. I had to do all that crap for my '99 Lemon VW which is how I bought my '01 Silverado. The piston slap scares me but almost ALL new cars do it now. I install aftermarket items on ALL makes and I'll tell you GM isn't the first. As for the tranny clunk, there's a guy that sells reprogrammed ECMs with a new flash for tranny shifting. It fixes that problem. He's so good that the Gov. bought 25,000 new ECMs for their GM trucks.

What bothers me is all the problems with the older VATS and the newer Passlock I, II, III, and III+ security systems. GM has no idea what causes the problems or how to fix them. They only replace the whole system but that's only a temporary fix. Every person I know that's had a GM vehicle with some miles on it has had this failure. It's not too plesant when you are running late only to get in your new GM vehicle and have the security lock you out so you can't start it :chair:

This is exactly why I am back off from buying a new truck. I have the money, I need a truck (a full size) and There is nothing on the market (all makes) That I am willing to pay 40,000 for. I almost rather getting a 1985 C20 and making it new, but that takes a shitload of time.I know i've done it with a 68 SS El Camino. took 7 years.

This is exactly why I am back off from buying a new truck. I have the money, I need a truck (a full size) and There is nothing on the market (all makes) That I am willing to pay 40,000 for. I almost rather getting a 1985 C20 and making it new, but that takes a shitload of time.I know i've done it with a 68 SS El Camino. took 7 years.
Yeah, I was going to do the same with my '78 Stepside but then some fool wanted it more than me and I sold it. Later bought a '99 VW Jetta because I was planning on driving alot for my job. Well, long story short was it was a major lemon. VW gave me enough money to go ahead and get my Silverado but wouldn't have done so if I couldn't have gotten the GM employee price!

Hi, I've got an '04 Silvy (4.8L 4x4 Ext. Cab) and when it shifts from 1st to 2nd under slow to normal acceleration, it will quite often bump/clunk into 2nd gear. I can feel it slapping in when it happens. I took it to the dealer and they tried replacing a pressure regulator solenoid (not sure of exact name) on the tranny which seemed to fix the problem for a few weeks but now it's back. Visited the dealer again today and the truck is going in next week sometime to get checked out. Anyone else had this problem? I dont think this is the slapping yoke thing that so many people are talking about, but I could be wrong. Any incite would be helpful, thanks.

Cost of Gas to get to my Favorite Trans Shop = $10
TCC Replacement Valve w/ a Flush & Fill Service = $150
NEVER having to listen to my tranny clunk again between 1st and 2nd Gear = PRICELESS

I have a 03 avalanche and I have similiar problems. I took it to the Dealer and I have no problems. I taled to a performance shop and they let mu use a Hypertech power programer for a week. Wow what a difference. It really smothed up the transmision.

Supposibly the reason people are haveing problems today is GM found that they get better life out of a transmission if it shifts down, istead of locking up the tourqe converter witch causing heat.

I have been in a few trucks and mine is "was" the worst.

With Hypertech it is like my 98' used to be.......................

Good luck

Hey, good luck with your 04 ford... My dad has it and the trans has gone twice. Oh, and my cousin has one as well it went at only 30,000 miles. I like them both, but unfortunately your either going to get a good one or your not. My 03 Sierra has 114,000 miles and has run perfectly so far.

I have a 03 avalanche and I have similiar problems. I took it to the Dealer and I have no problems. I taled to a performance shop and they let mu use a Hypertech power programer for a week. Wow what a difference. It really smothed up the transmision.

Supposibly the reason people are haveing problems today is GM found that they get better life out of a transmission if it shifts down, istead of locking up the tourqe converter witch causing heat.

I have been in a few trucks and mine is "was" the worst.

With Hypertech it is like my 98' used to be.......................

Good luck

Hey, good luck with your 04 ford... My dad has it and the trans has gone twice. Oh, and my cousin has one as well it went at only 30,000 miles. I like them both (the F150 and the chevys), but unfortunately your either going to get a good one or your not. My 03 Sierra has 114,000 miles and has run perfectly so far.

Isn't this what the TransGo shift kit will elimiate ? I'm going to installthisshift kit myself coming weekend and let you guys know. My truck has 113,000 miles on it with the transmission clunking being the only problem.

http://tinypic.com/ay7o5c

And GM can't figure out why they are losing market share to Toyota and Nissan. There's a reason why you are seeing a lot of these trucks out there lately. Ever notice that they don't need to have big discounts in order to sell these trucks. Quality sells....Junk doesn't

We had a clunk noise in the drivetrain of our 2001 Silverado and the dealer installed a nickel plated slip yoke, that was 15,000 miles ago and is is still very quiet. Now that we have the drivetrain noise and the steering column noise fixed it is as nice as driving a Ford, just kidding BlenderWizard.

If any of you are still having the clunk noise in the drive train you may want to ask your dealer about the nickel plated slip yoke, it worked for us.