99 Chevy Suburban with a clunk [Expired Topic]

Discussion in 'Chevy Suburban Forum (GMC Yukon XL)' started by Charna, Sep 16, 2005.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Charna

    Charna New Member

    I have a '99 Chevy Suburban that clunks when you accelerate and go over a bump at the same time. I was at a stop light the other day and a similar suburban did the same thing. Is anyone else having this problem? The garage first told me that my transfer case was going, then they told me my rear axels were falling out because the rear differencial was floating???? At this point I don't believe them much. has anyone else expereinced anything similar before I go spend $$$ on a new rear end.
  2. ChevyFan

    ChevyFan The Sheriff Staff Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts

    How many miles are on it? What type of engine/tranny do you have?
  3. Charna

    Charna New Member

    It has 110K miles, 350 chevy engine, tranny??? 4 wheel drive.
  4. 84fiero123

    84fiero123 Epic Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts Platinum Contributor

    could be;
    broken motor mount
    broken trans mount
    broken transfer mount
    ball joint
    u joints, and not the ones you smoke :mrgreen:
    it really could be a lot of things and without looking at it and driveing it we are all guessing without a lot more info
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Wow, nice garage. I can't stand these hack garages. It's really sad when they resort to telling you nonsense to get your vehicle in for repairs it probably doesn't need.
    Sounds like it might be a U-joint. Do you notice the sound when you go from forward to reverse, or vise-versa? If so, then it's very likely your u-joints.
  6. Charna

    Charna New Member

    It only makes a noise when you go forward (accelerate, usually from a stop) and go over a bumpor incline at the same time. It sounds like the the rear end is shifting on the leaf springs. I understand that it cann't or should but that is what it sounds like. Definately in the rear of the vehicle. it seams to me that they were really stretching it to say axels, it does not sound like an internal component moving but something external like the rear end is actually twisting.
    We already have a truck (Chevy 3/4 ton)that spit out it's rear end, almost literally, big whole 5 inches in diameter in the rear cover. I really don't what to have pay to replace another one.
  7. 84fiero123

    84fiero123 Epic Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts Platinum Contributor

    i really dont want to say this, but i'm gonna.
    back in 85 i had an 85 IROC, ya young dumb and more money than brains. but back to what we were talking about. it got recalled for 2 things. head gaskets, and the rear end. they replaced the head gaskets after i blew one. no charge. then the rear end started makeing a wineing,, they replaced the rear end fluid with, this is true now, wale oil. no cost. i'm not saying this is whats wrong but anything is possible. check with a local dealer have them run a recall check on it buy the vin. no.
    also i have and 86 burb right now that when you drive forward it made a clunk on the left rear, we searched for days, u-joints, no. leaf springs, no. finally we put it up on jack stands, put it in drive and heard the clunk, it was the brake drum. somehow i or someone else must have droped the drum. take the drum down and see if it can be turned. its possible, if it is egg shaped just get new ones.
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I actually had the same problem going back about a year ago. when I would come to a stop, and then go again the back end would clunk. I had it check pretty thouroughly, and never found it. Then during the summer when I would take the parking brake off in the morning the rear wheels were still locked. The brakes were sticking to the drums. come to find out the inner wheel seals where leaking, and when the heavy oil, and the brake dust mixed, it made a glue like substance, that would hold the brake shoes hard against the drum.
    Honestly it's a real b*tch to clean the drums completely after something like that, and obviously you'd need new brake shoes.

    Check your drums for out of round, and while you're at it, see if you've got any leaking. (You'd only have that if you had a full floating axle.)

    Let us know what you find
  9. yachtzmon

    yachtzmon New Member


    The clunk is where the drive shaft comes out of the rear of the tranny. It needs to be lubed. It moves ever so slightly, the actual clunk is the rear supension moving back and forth, not up and down. A transmission shop should have the right lubricate. I've got a 93 GMC that I went though all sorts of grief to finally figure it out..
    The dealer might be aware of this problem..The one I went to wasn't..

    Good luck,

  10. Davandy

    Davandy Moderator 5+ Years ROTM Winner 1000 Posts


    The rear seals of my Suburban are leaking too, is it a difficult job to replace them? :roll:

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

Newest Gallery Photos