Clank when starting and stopping

Hello.

I can hear a clank that seems to be coming from the drive shaft whenever I start and stop moving. I also sometimes hear it when I shift from Park to Reverse.

I can not feel any slack in the drive shaft that would indicate worn U-joints...at least when I try to turn it by hand.

I have heard the slip yoke is a very common cause for this clanking noise for trucks like mine.

When I follow the drive shaft to the tranny, I do not see any grease fittings...all I see is a black rubber boot that has a small hole in it.

How do I lubricate the slip yoke and what kind of grease is recommended?

Do I have to remove the drive shaft?

Thanks.

Mine was making the same noise. The U-joint was shot but the true problem was the rearend which blew up.

To lube the yoke you must pull the shaft and lube it manually. The yoke noise is more of a "honk", not a clank. I'd bet you have a u-joint problem. If so, it's best to check with the driveshaft out anyway.

You'll only feel play in the driveshaft if a U-joint is reallllly bad, yours probably isn't that bad yet, pull the shaft out and try moving the joints around, one (or both) is probably seized.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GasGuzzler

To lube the yoke you must pull the shaft and lube it manually.

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:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

I once worked on a customer's truck that made a pretty typical u-joint clank. I felt a tiny bit of play in them so I replaced them and the noise was still there. Turned out to be the diff itself. with the park brake set it seemed like you could turn that yoke a good 45 degrees lol. There shouldn't be much play in a diff so try wiggling the pinion yoke to see how much play there is.

So Sat. I pulled the drive shaft, closely inspected all U-joints, and felt for slack in the diff. All checked out OK, but I did notice the yoke could use some grease.

I went ahead and let the dealership bend me over for the $45/pound can of GM "Special Lubricant". Whether or not it is worth it, I guess I'll find out down the road, but it solved my driveshaft noise problem for now.

Guess I need to get my sound effects right...must have been more of a "honk" than a "clank".

Has anyone ever used any other lubricant for this particular slip yoke noise and had any success?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2Kchevy

So Sat. I pulled the drive shaft, closely inspected all U-joints, and felt for slack in the diff. All checked out OK, but I did notice the yoke could use some grease.

I went ahead and let the dealership bend me over for the $45/pound can of GM "Special Lubricant". Whether or not it is worth it, I guess I'll find out down the road, but it solved my driveshaft noise problem for now.

Guess I need to get my sound effects right...must have been more of a "honk" than a "clank".

Has anyone ever used any other lubricant for this particular slip yoke noise and had any success?

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I use whatever is on hand.... It isnt a huge deal.... there is very little fluid transfer in/out of the Yoke area....... I use wheel bearing or chassis grease..

I used TransGel. The thick green stuff that goes in CV axles works good too. I figured it was a honk.