Clunking Suburban

[gklane8850]

I have a 2001 suburban 1500 that seems to clunk every time it is put in gear. Either in reverse or any of the drive gears. I checked the u joints and they are fine, but I can duplicate the sound by turning the drive shaft while the vehicle is parked and wheel on the ground. The shaft only turns a small amount (maybe 5 to 10 degrees of rotation). Is all of this normal or am I just being too picky? I had a 1998 Silverado Z71 (which I miss dearly) that never did this and I sold it with 122,000 miles on it. My suburban has 104,000 miles. Thanks for any advice!

[chevybulldog6]

It seems to me that if the ujoints are good then it is either play in the transfercase/transmission or the axle. I would disconnect the rear ujoint from the axle and see if it still has the same play in it while the trans is in park. If it does then the play is in your transfercase/transmission. If it does not then the play must be in your axle. Other then that, I dont have any more suggestions. I hope this will help you.

[MrShorty]

Does your driveshaft have a slip yoke in it? Slip yokes often make clunks.

[2COR517]

How did you check your u-joints? It's best to take all load off them by jacking up at least one rear tire, and put the transmission in nuetral. Make sure you chock the front wheels of course. That way you can spin the driveshaft freely. Spin the shaft several times, watching each joint closely. There should be zero play between the spider and the caps. You could also have a cap floating loose in the shaft, so check that.

I have done the quick test by just twisting the shaft with the vehicle in park and failed to find bad u-joints.