driveline slop

althepa · 05-14-2004, 12:06 PM

I have noticed my KC XE 2WD with 9k miles has been demonstrating a minor but annoying trait. At starting off from a standstill, there appears to be a bit of slop in the driveline somewhere. When first getting on the gas, there is a sensation you can feel more than necesarily hear of a clunk or catch. It's as though some component of the drivetrain has to take up a tiny bit of slack to engage itself before moving. In other words, one cannot start from a standstill with a completely smooth sensation of going from no drive to moving - it feels much like when you are towing a trailer, and feel the trailer "catch" when you start moving. At stopping, I sometimes notice the opposite effect; I cannot use brake action to stop smoothly, without a feeling of something disengaging. One time, there was a very noticeable clunk when starting off; this has not happened since. Once moving, the tranny shifts very smoothly. Anyone else notice this?

BTW, I just changed my differential fluid. It looked ok, level was fine, but there was a noticeable amount of spall on the magnet. Replaced it with Valvoline Durablend.

GB Titan · 05-14-2004, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by althepa

I have noticed my KC XE 2WD with 9k miles has been demonstrating a minor but annoying trait. At starting off from a standstill, there appears to be a bit of slop in the driveline somewhere. When first getting on the gas, there is a sensation you can feel more than necesarily hear of a clunk or catch. It's as though some component of the drivetrain has to take up a tiny bit of slack to engage itself before moving. In other words, one cannot start from a standstill with a completely smooth sensation of going from no drive to moving - it feels much like when you are towing a trailer, and feel the trailer "catch" when you start moving. At stopping, I sometimes notice the opposite effect; I cannot use brake action to stop smoothly, without a feeling of something disengaging. One time, there was a very noticeable clunk when starting off; this has not happened since. Once moving, the tranny shifts very smoothly. Anyone else notice this?

BTW, I just changed my differential fluid. It looked ok, level was fine, but there was a noticeable amount of spall on the magnet. Replaced it with Valvoline Durablend.

I think I've noticed the same thing on my truck too. I diffently "feel" something when starting off and stopping, but have no idea what it could be. I've been meaning to post it but have had a difficult time trying to word it, so thanks for doing so.

**CaliforniaTitan** · 05-14-2004, 12:21 PM

Al,

I sort of have the same issue but I personally think it might have to do with the brakes. They don't feel like they 'fully' release until you start out. When I stop, I get a 'double drop' feeling in the rear end...I know..hard to explain. After the post yesterday about the bad lubrication in the calipers and with my sensation now coming on of warping in the front end...This is where I think the problem may lay.

CHris

Bayou Titan · 05-14-2004, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by althepa

I have noticed my KC XE 2WD with 9k miles has been demonstrating a minor but annoying trait. At starting off from a standstill, there appears to be a bit of slop in the driveline somewhere. When first getting on the gas, there is a sensation you can feel more than necesarily hear of a clunk or catch. It's as though some component of the drive train has to take up a tiny bit of slack to engage itself before moving. In other words, one cannot start from a standstill with a completely smooth sensation of going from no drive to moving - it feels much like when you are towing a trailer, and feel the trailer "catch" when you start moving. At stopping, I sometimes notice the opposite effect; I cannot use brake action to stop smoothly, without a feeling of something disengaging. One time, there was a very noticeable clunk when starting off; this has not happened since. Once moving, the tranny shifts very smoothly. Anyone else notice this?

BTW, I just changed my differential fluid. It looked ok, level was fine, but there was a noticeable amount of spall on the magnet. Replaced it with Valvoline Durablend.

There have been previous posts about this problem that I and others have experienced. Do you have the Utilitrac system? A person on this forum has discovered that the covers on the Utiltracks on the bed floor slide back and forth upon acceleration and braking and collide against the cab and tailgate. I removed the covers on mine and the problem has been eliminated. I could have sworn it was a drive train problem until I removed the track covers. You may want to remove the covers and see if that is the problem.

**CaliforniaTitan** · 05-14-2004, 12:35 PM

Bayou,

I read that as well but this is not just a noise...its a definate 'drop' in the rear end.

Chris

stevemis · 05-14-2004, 12:39 PM

I've got a 1971 Corvette, which is loaded with universal joints. I seem to recall some particularly worn ones in the driveline causing some slop.. Just a thought.

-Steve

Bayou Titan · 05-14-2004, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaTitan

Bayou,

I read that as well but this is not just a noise...its a definate 'drop' in the rear end.

Chris

That's what fooled me. The covers hitting the cab caused noise but also a clunk that would cause vibration that I could feel though the brake pedal and elsewhere. it was more of a sensation of a clunk than a noise. It felt very much like drivetrain stuff.

wolfox2004 · 05-14-2004, 07:07 PM

I have this same problem, i have removed the utilitrack stuff and emptied the side toolbox and still have the same problem, it is not the brakes as if you shift to neutral before you stop the problem goes away. so it is definetly in the drivetrain or rear suspension. 4x4 crew cab big tow LE

let me know if same for you guys

EricM · 05-14-2004, 07:19 PM

First time poster to this site... potential Titan buyer this fall.

Anyway, this problem sounds alot like the transmission slip yoke binding. It's a very common problem on GM full size trucks. It's fairly common on 4th generation Toyota 4Runners as well. You can either grease the inside of the slip yoke (if it bothers you) or simply ignore it and it will probably go away on its own as the yoke and splined shaft wear in.

althepa · 05-14-2004, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricM

First time poster to this site... potential Titan buyer this fall.

Anyway, this problem sounds alot like the transmission slip yoke binding. It's a very common problem on GM full size trucks. It's fairly common on 4th generation Toyota 4Runners as well. You can either grease the inside of the slip yoke (if it bothers you) or simply ignore it and it will probably go away on its own as the yoke and splined shaft wear in.

OK - so how do you grease that part? Where exactly is it?

Definitely not a Utilitrack issue (I don't have it). I think the clunk on stopping is the brakes binding. But the startup clunk occurs without using the brakes - definitely coming from the drivetrain. Hmm, I wonder how the shop manager will evade trying to diagnose/fix this issue - gotta strategize....

Titan4UGA · 05-14-2004, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by althepa

OK - so how do you grease that part? Where exactly is it?

Definitely not a Utilitrack issue (I don't have it). I think the clunk on stopping is the brakes binding. But the startup clunk occurs without using the brakes - definitely coming from the drivetrain. Hmm, I wonder how the shop manager will evade trying to diagnose/fix this issue - gotta strategize....

I have this too and it is very annoying, I never really notice it when driving normally around town, but when I tow my boat it becomes almost unbearable, she will be in for service monday to take care or the 15 items that I feel need attention.

EricM · 05-15-2004, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by althepa

OK - so how do you grease that part? Where exactly is it?

Definitely not a Utilitrack issue (I don't have it). I think the clunk on stopping is the brakes binding. But the startup clunk occurs without using the brakes - definitely coming from the drivetrain. Hmm, I wonder how the shop manager will evade trying to diagnose/fix this issue - gotta strategize....

The slip yoke on most vehicles is at the front of the driveshaft and slides into the back of the transmission/t-case (the picture of the chassis in the Titan brochure isn't that good). As the rear axle moves up and down (suspension travel), the distance between the front of the rear diff and the back of the transmission varies slightly; the slip yoke is intended to slide in and out when this occurs. When the slip yoke binds, it is prevented from sliding back into the transmission... when the binding is released (typically by stepping on the gas or releasing the brake so the truck starts moving), you'll feel a clunk and perhaps feel the back of the truck drop slightly (depending on how severe the binding is). The severity of the condition will vary with how much weight is on the rear axle, how hard you stop, etc.

I haven't been under a Titan, but Toyota has a grease fitting on their slip yoke (at least on my 4Runner there's one) for it. On GM trucks, you remove the bolts holding the driveshaft to the rear diff, slide the driveshaft and yoke out of the transmission (being careful not to nick the outside of the yoke by dropping it), apply chassis grease to the inside, splined surfaces, then reinstall. There's plenty written on the topic on some of the GM truck forums (do a search on "driveline clunk"). Hope that helps.

-Eric

bestatchess · 05-15-2004, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by althepa

OK - so how do you grease that part? Where exactly is it?

Before you get carried away with the Chevrolet service procedure, I would suggest that you download the service manual and take a look at pages PR 8 and PR 9.

althepa · 05-15-2004, 04:54 PM

Anyone reading this thread - plesae post to the "drivetrain clunk" survery posted above by another user. It would be nice to have a body of info in hand to approach the dealer with. Thanks Al

z3axv · 05-17-2004, 01:19 PM

Just purchased my Titan and I have the problem after 100 miles. I had the problem on my Toyota Landcruiser after only 1000 miles and I remedied it by squirting some grease into the slip yoke grease fittings. After 10000 miles the problem has not returned. However I cannot find any fittings on the Titan. It's a little annoying but I am not concerned since I've experienced it on the Toyota. I;d feel better if I could get it fixed.