Clank when starting and stopping

[2Kchevy]

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.

[Show&Go]

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

[GasGuzzler]

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.

[00shortbox]

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.

[banker099]

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

[T_Raven]

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.

[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?

[casey23]

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?

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..

[GasGuzzler]

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