How To Grease The Slip Yoke

KIILew · November 30, 2009

I have enjoyed reading these posts...and I intend to watch this thread to see what other experiences people have with solving this problem.

My 2004 GMC Sierra extended cab 4wd (with Quadrasteer and 59,000 miles to date) does this. Actually, I had the dealer replace the original slip yoke with the updated nickel plated part about 22 months and 17,000 miles ago. That completely eliminated the "bump" and associated "moan/clunk" at take-off...for a while. The resulting "buttoned-downed" feel was wonderful, while it lasted. But ultimately, the bump/clunk returned!

I also have a 1979 Chevy Big 10 pickup and a 1988 Chevy K3500, and they both have had the same annoying bump/clunk for almost as long as I can remember. And they are represent two totally different earlier evolutions of GM trucks (compared to my 2004 rig).

I have resigned myself to the reality that leaf spring-equipped GM trucks, are going to do this unless one repeatedly attends to the problem with slip yoke/driveshaft disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, and so on. It is one of the reasons that I appreciate the coil spring rear suspension design on my '02 Tahoe and '00 Suburban which prevents the rear axle from wrapping (and therefore minimizes the tendency of the driveshaft to telescope) on acceleration and deceleration. I have driven my Tahoe over 200,000 miles and only very, very rarely experienced a similar sensation (when the rear suspension compresses or unloads on acceleration/deceleration more than usual).

So, I am learning to live with the noise on my pickup(s). Now, since I know what the problem is (i.e. things aren't coming apart), I find the noise and feeling to be a little less disconcerting!

Wingnut · December 1, 2009

Is this the same clunk that a guy might hear when making a few consecutive shifts between reverse and drive, usually when making a 2 or 3 point turn? The clunk happens as soon as the transmission shifts, even with my foot still on the brake. Sounds like it's coming from the middle to rear part of the truck, like slack somewhere in the drivetrain...

I have the same noise / question. Is what 'mobiusdog' is describing what you guys are out to cure or some other scenario with a 'clunk'. Thanks for any additional insight.

You guys sound a bit more like you're having u-joint problems.

And if you take it out and it looks like this...You need new ones

csheatz · December 1, 2009

Is this the same clunk that a guy might hear when making a few consecutive shifts between reverse and drive, usually when making a 2 or 3 point turn? The clunk happens as soon as the transmission shifts, even with my foot still on the brake. Sounds like it's coming from the middle to rear part of the truck, like slack somewhere in the drivetrain...

I have the same noise / question. Is what 'mobiusdog' is describing what you guys are out to cure or some other scenario with a 'clunk'. Thanks for any additional insight.

You guys sound a bit more like you're having u-joint problems.

And if you take it out and it looks like this...You need new ones

If it looks like this you probably have more then one problem!

I have the clunk when shifting between rev, and drive also notice at times between 1st and 2nd. My U-Joints are or aprear to be in good shape. I have come to the conclusion that the noise is the play in the drive shaft yoke when it is having a load applied to it (assuming that the gears in the rearend are not the chattering). This would be caused by over size ID on the yoke, or under sized OD on the spline. I can see where the grease would help this issue but the machining seems to be the cause! This is not saying much bc I work for a company that makes a lot of the spline shafts for GM..... this happens to be one of the ones we dont make!

bragsd81 · January 24, 2010

The real fix here is installing the new upgraded nickel plated slip yoke. Has GM started installing nickel plated yokes on new truck starting with a certain year? Do '06 trucks have the usual troublesome yoke too? So far I have not had any problem with mine. How much is the nickle plated yoke for an '06 GMT800 and what is the part number?

Can somebody answer my questions?

I have a 07 and have the same problem. I keep hearing about the nickel plated slip yoke. Either my 07 doesn't have one or it is not working. Same problem I had in my 89. You would think that in 20 years. Oh well.

Smcinc-Ryan · January 24, 2010

Remove the Drive shaft and the front of the drive shaft you will see the front yoke, either spray of put some grease on your finger and i would put 1/4 inch in there and that should help tremendously. Hope that helps

brims · January 25, 2010

They didn't install the nickel plated on the new trucks, that costs them to much money.

sc4808 · January 25, 2010

I added the Nickel plated one on my 03 after it destroyed my Transfer Case, it worked great for a couple of years, now the "Clunk" has returned.

On a positive note, my 08 or my sons 06 and my other sons 09 have not shown any signs of the clunk.

RaddHazzard · January 25, 2010

Now Im waiting patiently for my clunk to arrive.........

J-man67 · January 25, 2010

Now the slider section is a different story.
It had grease but was kinda dry.

I cleaned the male section very good.

Too much effort to clean the female section so I skipped it.

Put some good dollops of the GM Special Grease into the female section.

Lubbed up the male section real good.

As I inserted the male section into the female section I worked it in and out to get the Special Grease all the way into the female section.

I relubbed the male section and worked it some more to ensure the parts slide in and out real smooth.

Sounds like fun!

Desert Lake · January 26, 2010

I just came over from the Jeep community, and what you really need is to get rid of that slip yoke all together. I can't believe GM is still doing this, they've only had this "problem" for thirty years. Look up slip yoke eliminator kits, and have a new drive shaft fabbed up. Otherwise accept it for what it is

crewdawg1981 · March 11, 2010

Okay... so i've been reading here and wonder if I've got the same problem. Though admittedly it sounds different. Here's a video of it cuz I cant explain the sound well enough:

You'll hear what I'm talking about around 32-33 seconds in (I apologize for the jerk that honks at me about 20 secs in). Its a loud bang thats happening just under the front passenger seat... maaaaybe the center console.

The guys at Chevy referrenced the slip yoke problem, but mine does this when i'm slowing down to a stop (as you'll see). Its not constant and only does it every so often, but usually when I've driven for a stretch and come to a stop... or slow down. It will do it while driving sometimes.

HELP!

BTW I have a 2004 Z71 Tahoe.

pm26 · March 11, 2010

Gentlemen,

Can't you just grease the zerk fitting?

Ken

There are no zerk fittings on the slip yoke. The only fittings I know of are on some after market u joints. And thats at the other end of the drive shaft. Kinda hard to have a zerk fitting in the transmission. would be nice though.

My 1969 deuce and half army truck has these grease fittings. On every slip yoke, and there are three of them on the truck.

The only sensible way to go. No disassembly required for greasing the splines.

Also, every U joint has a grease fitting.

08BlackSierra · March 12, 2010

I get a clunk when hitting bumps when its cold out (under 35*) Wonder if greasing it would stop the clunk

crewdawg1981 · March 12, 2010

Soooo... anyone have a thought on the "bang" that I'm hearing in the video above. Its driving me nuts. The dealer is tellin me that its the slip yoke, but I have my doubts. It doesnt feel like i'm getting rear ended... just a loud bang or pop.

gsfr659 · April 24, 2010

Just a follow up on the slip yoke problem...i purchased my 07 sierra CC with 24,000 miles on it and within a couple thousand miles had noticed the bump. My first thought was HOLY SH*T i bought a lemon! After taking it to the dealer, they told me about the slip yoke problem and lubed it for me, under warranty of course. Now 10,000 miles later the bump is back. I took it to the dealer again and they said there was TSB that stated they had to replace the slip yoke with a new one of a different material (I'm assuming nickel plated based on what I've read here) if it came back a second time. The paperwork read as follows:

"Customer reports a loud "klunk" noise in the driveline after sitting at a stop and then accelerating away / see history. Found "klunk" on decel/takeoff. Found slack in slip yoke previously lubed on Ro#******. Replace slip yoke per bulletin 09-04-17-002 and lubricate. Test drove to verify repair."

Truck is back to smooth for now....so we'll see how long it lasts. Just thought this might help some people who said they have had this problem multiple times. Don't let the dealer push you around!