My 2003 Tahoe has been making this "clunking" noise for about a year now but is getting progressively worse. Whenever I put it into reverse, I hear the clunk. Whenever I am driving and decelerate as coming to a light, then I tromp the gas to get back at it, I hear the clunk. It almost feels there is slack in the driveshaft...I got underneath my Tahoe and the rear driveshaft when in park doesn't move and doesn't rattle. The FRONT driveshaft rotates with little effort even when in park.... When I put the e-brake on and Tahoe in neutral, the rear driveshaft feels stiff as it should, and the front driveshaft is like a dead fish and rotates easy as can be... Hopefully this is a sign my universals on the front driveshaft are bad??....Took it to my transmission guy a few weeks back and he said trans is fine...Baby is coming any day now, and hoping its not my transfer case, because I don't have thousands to spend....Tahoe is a 2003 with 123,000 miles on it, and very well serviced and taken care of by myself.Any opinions? Thanks alot

Sounds normal to me. My truck exhibits similar issues but never a problem with 86,000 miles. The front drive shaft is "loose" when turned compared to the rear. My truck was at the dealership less than a year ago for wheel bearing replacement. They explained the slack in the front shaft is required to avoid binding when turning in 4WD. I don't think it is anything to do with the transfer case. I have replaced one in the past on a 2001. The problem with that one was the chain slipping on the sprocket. It was obvious when accelerating. You could feel and hear it. $1300 to replace after 200,000 miles. Is your Tahoe 4WD or AWD? Both of mine are AWD.

Is the Tahoe all wheel drive or is it part time four wheel? Part time four wheel in 2 wheel drive selected in transfer case, the front drive shaft will turn very easily.I would say the rear differential or transfer could be suspect.Jack up the rear of the rig (both wheels). Turn drive shaft to see how much slack is in the rear differential ring and pinion.

u-joints are going bad,replace with new joint that have grease fittings,they are not very expensive.sometimes the joint will feel tight but the factory grease will be gone and start wearing the cross and that is the clunk you feel,I have had them even make a high pitch whistle sound when the joint goes dry.

hmmm my Tahoe is 4 wheel drive only when I select it on the dash. I never had this "clunking" in the past until about 4,000 miles ago. I am starting to doubt taking it on long trips because of the noise.... Nobody thinks it my front drive shaft universals?

looking closer at the factory front universal it does not have the grease fitting but does look almost like grease has spewed out of it over time... Also, I don't hear the high pitch whine but it louder now when "Decelerating" than it ever was in the past. I feel as if I can hear it gear it runs though...(This could be due to my 17" All terrain tires)

Universal Joints going bad or transfer case? | Good Sam Community

1oldtruck
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
I would try to find a good driveline shop and have them check the U-joints or try it yourself with a large screwdriver. Try to mimic the torque put on the joint by the motor. You might find slack that you can't find by hand. Otherwise I would suspect a differential.

I had the front differential on the 2005 rebuilt last year. A pitted bearing was found inside. It made a growling sound at first and later became a vibration. That took about a year. Finally had them tear into it to find the problem. $1800 at 80,000 miles. Hard to tell until you start pulling it apart.
RoamingGnomes
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
probably talking out of my hat but many years ago had a dodge 150 power wagon pickup. had clunking, everything as fine until I brought it to a local 4x4 speed shop. it turned out the spline on the drive shaft was worn. They pulled the shaft cut off the spline welded on spline with heavier fingers, never had a problem after that.

Just thought I would add my two cents to your problem.

PS, Couldn't detect the problem due when the shaft was in the transfer case, only when it was dropped and the spline was visually checked. Should crazy, can only tell you what happened to me.
jbres
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
1oldtruck---I changed both front, rear, and transfer case all somewhat recently. Problem was there before I did them hoping it would go away but didn't...
1oldtruck
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
When was the last time you had the differential fluid levels checked?
jbres
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
looking closer at the factory front universal it does not have the grease fitting but does look almost like grease has spewed out of it over time... Also, I don't hear the high pitch whine but it louder now when "Decelerating" than it ever was in the past. I feel as if I can hear it gear it runs though...(This could be due to my 17" All terrain tires)
jbres
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
hmmm my Tahoe is 4 wheel drive only when I select it on the dash. I never had this "clunking" in the past until about 4,000 miles ago. I am starting to doubt taking it on long trips because of the noise.... Nobody thinks it my front drive shaft universals?
mnm_2
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
u-joints are going bad,replace with new joint that have grease fittings,they are not very expensive.sometimes the joint will feel tight but the factory grease will be gone and start wearing the cross and that is the clunk you feel,I have had them even make a high pitch whistle sound when the joint goes dry.
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 10, 2014
Is the Tahoe all wheel drive or is it part time four wheel? Part time four wheel in 2 wheel drive selected in transfer case, the front drive shaft will turn very easily.
I would say the rear differential or transfer could be suspect.
Jack up the rear of the rig (both wheels). Turn drive shaft to see how much slack is in the rear differential ring and pinion.
1oldtruck
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
Sounds normal to me. My truck exhibits similar issues but never a problem with 86,000 miles. The front drive shaft is "loose" when turned compared to the rear. My truck was at the dealership less than a year ago for wheel bearing replacement. They explained the slack in the front shaft is required to avoid binding when turning in 4WD.

I don't think it is anything to do with the transfer case. I have replaced one in the past on a 2001. The problem with that one was the chain slipping on the sprocket. It was obvious when accelerating. You could feel and hear it. $1300 to replace after 200,000 miles.

Is your Tahoe 4WD or AWD? Both of mine are AWD.

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Universal Joints going bad or transfer case?

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