clunkerado FINALLY GONE.....

Hey, y'all... as they all say...well most, then again only those in Texas and the like..... just wanted to give you guys an update on the dawm clunkiing that has been pissing me off for the last 25,000 kilometres....
FINALLY GONE....NEVER MORE TO BE HEARD OF AGAIN....I HOPE.... you see since I bought the truck, I have had this clunkerolet... and all the service techs, service managers were stunned they didn't know what was making it go clunk.... nor they did not care.... I think I fighted with almost every single one of them.... till I went on the net and found those 2 bulletins about the nickel plated yoke and the new Auto- Trak transfer case fluid..... I did evrything myself, first I changed the transfer case fluid.... and took a test drive and to my amazement there was almost no clunking except for one or two clunks every 5- 10, which was definately an improvement over the 100 or so clunks before.... but it looks like that after all the wear of 25, 000 kilomtetres the yoke was gone.... I went to the dealership were I bought the truck, and DEMANDED (capitalized) a new yoke, I wasn't going down without a fight... After 1 hour of blah-blah.... and several calls to center managers and such I got a new yoke. Sure beats spending $600.00 bucks! I popped it in at home.... and couldn't believe my ears.... NO MORE ****'IN CLUNKING.....This pissed me off so much and finally NO MORE CLUNKING.... I AM THE HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE...... I think I will make a party, just to celebrate NO MORE CLUNKING..... anyone wanna come?

yee haa fucking chevys

I just wish Clunkrolet would grow up a little, I think if they just made a few simple minor improvements that Chevy would have the BEST DAWM TRUCK IN THE WORLD.... screw ford's and dodge's and honda's???????????? who the hell's gonna buy a dawm HONDA TRUCK....I laugh at that loser.... CHEVY ALL THE WAY....just after the clunk, the click, the bam, the bong, the chirp, the bing, the dawm, the squeak, the burp? the meow.....then it would be the best....Oh, well....

One clunck down and 9 to go......... I also am rid of that clunk. Last year I had the dealer put a new yoke in for me, they actually offered the nickel plated one and I gladly accepted. Didn't charge me a cent as they said it was covered under a SB.

Next step was to change the auto-trac fluid. I talked to a tech at Red Line and he assured me their MTL lubricant was just what I was looking for. I was a little skeptical at first, seeing as GM was touting their special "blue lubricant" as the only stuff to use. The only thing blue now is my paint job and the heater/ac control lights I replaced :).

Now it's red all the way!!!!!! I also replaced the power steering fluid with the Red Line stuff. Superb!! Steering seems more "fluid" and quite. Going to change the rear locker fluid as soon as I find the time.

I'd do the tranny fluid too but I don't want to waste it as I'm thinking about a major overall in the transmission. (I am keeping Amsoil in the engine though.)

Just imagine if everybody used synthetics....... probably put a dent in some Middle Easterns' wallet....... yeah right.......as if he'd miss it! Does give me a little peace of mind though. Now all I have to do is get this motor to run on water!!!!! :) :) :)

.... screw ford's and dodge's and honda's???????????? who the hell's gonna buy a dawm HONDA TRUCK....I laugh at that loser....
I would. I bet that Honda wouldn't have all the mystery sounds your precious chevy's make.

NO COMMENT.....HONDA SUCKS....ESPECCIALLY THE RIDGELINE...is that what the they call' em?

I don't care if Honda's lasted 500,000 miles, I would never buy one. Well that's not exactly true...I did buy a Honda CR250. But do I really have a choice when it comes to two stroke dirt bikes?

HAHA, honda makes trucks? I havn't seen one yet... just those little boxes they call SUVs.
HONDA=Had One, Never Did Again

I would. I bet that Honda wouldn't have all the mystery sounds your precious chevy's make.

I bet it wouldn't have all the power, or the off-road abilities either. And it sure as hell wouldn't be made by an American.

Also, I've heard a lot more hondas/toyotas/nissans with noises than Chevys (loud exhaust isn't a noise). They just don't make loud noises that supprise you. They make lots of whining noises... listen the next time you start yours up. They drive me crazy when they pull up beside me at a stoplight. Whine, chatter, hum, more chattering, then when they start out... they make a noise I can't even describe.

Wow, you chevy boys don't think to highly of Hondas. I havn't really looked at a ridgeline close so I can't say if i'd buy one or not. But I will say i have had expirience with many accords, and they have all been great cars. And when you say they are not American made you are wrong. Accords are made it Ohio, so go tell the hundreds of guys that work in that plant that there products no good because its not made in America. Hell, I even saw a Pearl Harbor vet drive a Honda accord once.

Honda is introducing their new and very first pickup.... well to me it seems more like an SUV, just like the avalanche.... They call it the Ridgeline... what a sad name.... anywho, it's been talked about like crazy for the pass 2 years..... and I can't believe the stupidiest shit they ever made... I will try to the best of my abilities to make a living hell out of anyone who buys this piece of junk....Honda's SUCK, I hate Honda's and their punny little piece of shit.... It outright pisses me off... beep'in Honda... he-he.... I don't know looks like these days companies are going with more of a futuristic look on the inside, chrome and such... just like those ford 150's... that really sucks....The shitbox Honda has the same "futuristic design", I just hope Chevy keeps their truck the way they are...minus of course the clunking, the clicking, the popping, the ticking and tapping as such.....I hope Chevy doesn't get any ideas....???????

I think the Avalanche is as close to the futuristic look as Chevy is going to get. Sure, it looks a bit goofy, but it's got an 8.1L engine as an option. No panzy-ass hondas got that.

And I just saw a comercial for the ridgeline.... just about the dumbest one one during the game. Seriously, who the hell would have a big "H" on their belt buckle? He'd get his ass kicked in real life.

Oh, and that 4x8 sheet of plywood! HAHA! My tailgate will shut with a sheet of plywood in the bed. Lockable trunk in the bed? Wonder how that's gonna open/shut after having sand, gravel, and rocks dumped on it. Oh, that's right, it's not EVER going to be used as a real truck... not even in their commercials, apparently

What you guys are forgetting, is that Chevy Avalanchs/Silverado is truely the funny looking vehicle. Just look at one, they look Japenese, those sqinty headlights, and ugly ass chome bar with the gigantic bowtie in the middle WTF!

Lets just see how those plastick body panels on the Avalanche look after ten years in the southwest, United states. they will cook in the Arizona desert!...JJ

I think he plans to push air into it...JJ

Honda Sucks.... Period.

Hey Silveradoking...do you happen to have the number of the SB for the yoke fix? And was your truck under warranty?
Thanks,
Sonny01

Honda Sucks.... Period.
What a great comeback!

Hey, Sonny....I can't remember the TSB, but I am sure it's somewhere on the net....All it says is the if you feel a clunk or something, then you should replace your yoke to a nickel plated one... I remembered the part number #12477702 if you have a 1500 series, I think the part number for the 2500 series is #12477704..... There is also a TSB on changing the transfer case fluid, this is because it symptoms are the same (you get clunking around). I would first recommend that you change your transfer case fluid, which should cost you only about $20.00 Canadian 2 in a half quarts.... Don't forget to to use the new transfer case fluid called Auto Trac II.... do this before doing anything esle... do this before doing anything esle... don't listen to anyone esle....the clunking should disappear...if it doesn't that mean the yoke is screwed... I think the yoke costs around $600.00 Canadian or about $400.00 American...sorry man I am in Canada.... Remember to change your transfer case fluid to Auto Trac II first- don't use anything esle... 50% of the time it helps....then again... keep your pocket open just in case... dawm clunking.... Oh, yah.... GM changed the yoke for me... but they put in some piece of junk... so after over 1 year of researching and talking to several thousand? people....I found the TSB's... I had to fight like crazy for GM to give me a new nickel plated yoke... and after 1 or 2 hours of blah- blah- blah, I got it.... Now it runs very smooth, and no more clunking.... finally....

Thanks Silveradoking...I'll try changing the fluid first like you say...I'll let you know how it turns out.
Sonny01

I found the TSB...it's 01-04-17-004 and can be found here http://forums.vmag.com/suvtahyuk0301/messages/3278.html

Sonny01

hey, man.... just remember to make sure to use AUTO TRAC II, only use that and hopefully that should help you out....drive your truck out for a while...and then take it out... makes it come out easier.... wait like 15 minutes so that it all comes out... or change it twice... hopefully that will help you out a lot.... and you won't have to apend the big bucks on the yoke... good luck man....

Will do!
Thanks a bunch...

Well,
I called a local Valvoline shop today and asked about replacing the fluid in the transfer case with Auto Trac II and they said it was 49.95...but that they had a special for 99.95 to do the front and back and they would throw in the middle case for free. Is there three transfer cases? You can tell I know a lot about the workings underneath my truck. If it wasn't so cold and wet here I'd go out and look but it's just to nasty out. I have about 57,000 miles on tne odometer so maybe I should change anything that has fluid in it anyway. What do you think?
Sonny01

hey.... why would you need three transfer cases? he-he just joking... Probably, they were mentioning the front axle, the rear axle, and the transfer case.... Three different parts with three different lubricants.... I would change it yourself... It is fairly simple.... drain plug and filler plug.... Use 80w90 in the front, and 75w90 in the back, and Auto Trac II in the transfer case.... The proper fluid level should be about half inch below filler plug hole on the axles, and just coming out of the filler plug hole on the transfer case.... I would recommend changing your fluids every 50, 000 kilometres on the axles....and ever 30,000 kilometres on the transfer case... and since you have the dreaded clunking crap going on, change your transfer case fluid twice... one right now, and once after a couple days driving...and then make sure to do it every 30 k.... good luck...

ive been seeing a few avalanches without that plastic stuff on the bottom, I guess they made it an option for '05.

Wow, you chevy boys don't think to highly of Hondas. I havn't really looked at a ridgeline close so I can't say if i'd buy one or not. But I will say i have had expirience with many accords, and they have all been great cars. And when you say they are not American made you are wrong. Accords are made it Ohio, so go tell the hundreds of guys that work in that plant that there products no good because its not made in America. Hell, I even saw a Pearl Harbor vet drive a Honda accord once.
:screwy: turncoat, honda does make a good engine in there bikes but as far as trucks go they don't have a clue, detriot iron rules!
lets see a honda any honda haul a four horse stock trailer down hill with a good tail wind, maybe, maybe with a GMC or Chevy pulling it.
you have to be a kid, owned lots of honda's. no self respecting american would own a honda truck.
as far as those poor underpaid, under represented, under protected ohio guys and girls, when they get all the parts that are made in japan and assemble them there, i don't call that made in USA i call that ass embled. I've owned chevy, gmc, and even a ford trucks but will never own anything from honda except a bike

:screwy: turncoat, honda does make a good engine in there bikes but as far as trucks go they don't have a clue, detriot iron rules!
lets see a honda any honda haul a four horse stock trailer down hill with a good tail wind, maybe, maybe with a GMC or Chevy pulling it.
you have to be a kid, owned lots of honda's. no self respecting american would own a honda truck.
as far as those poor underpaid, under represented, under protected ohio guys and girls, when they get all the parts that are made in japan and assemble them there, i don't call that made in USA i call that ass embled. I've owned chevy, gmc, and even a ford trucks but will never own anything from honda except a bike
I don't think that the Honda is designed for heavy hauling.
I cannot believe that you would say no self respecting american would own a honda truck. What the hell is wrong with you. Didn't you read the part about the Pearl Harbor Vet I saw driving an Accord? Those guys who work at Honda plants are not underpaid and under represented. Honda is helping our economy by providing good jobs. Why don't you tell all the people that work at Honda plants in Ohio that their product is no good because it not made in the United States. WTF!

I don't think that the Honda is designed for heavy hauling.
I cannot believe that you would say no self respecting american would own a honda truck. What the hell is wrong with you. Didn't you read the part about the Pearl Harbor Vet I saw driving an Accord? Those guys who work at Honda plants are not underpaid and under represented. Honda is helping our economy by providing good jobs. Why don't you tell all the people that work at Honda plants in Ohio that their product is no good because it not made in the United States. WTF!
:rofl: a truck is made for hauling, be it craftsmen & women and there tools or cargo or trailering. ya the perl harbor vet is shell shocked. and yes they are underpaid, with no union protection for there jobs. say the word union at a honda plant and your fired.
all the money made from this plant goes back to japan, they are not helping our economy, they are helping themselves. you may not be old enuf to remember when honda and toyota came into this country by the shiploads in the 70's and were sold for less than it cost honda to make them, and cost thousands of americans there jobs, do you?
Sorry if you don't, or if you do and just forgot, i worked for GM from 73 to 90 in massachusettes, then moved to tennessee to work for saturn. i met some of those guys that worked in smyrna for nissan, yes they are underpaid, no union protection, and there product is shiped mostly from japan.
i find it hard to belive that you think a honda truck is a truck, if it ain't made to haul what is it made for? can u say SUV, i own the only origanal SUV, the first SUV, was made back in the 1930's, GMC Suburban, I own 2 a 1986 and a 1994 i don't consider them suv's i consider them working trucks, yuppys didn't want to say they drove a truck so they came up with the term.
by the way have you seen the new toyota, honda, or nissan comercial with the truck hauling a boat threw the air over a jump, ya right!

Silverdoking, I got the fluids changed out today. I had to go to a GM dealer to get the Auto Trac II. So far so good...no clunk...but I haven't driven very far. I also changed out the micro air filters. I'll let you know if it works.

whats the part number for that yoke

hey..sonny... congrates...If you drove only a couple miles...and no clunking your in luck.. that means no big bucks on a new yoke... your very lucky, I had to change the transfer case fluid...and that only helped to get rid of half the clunking... so I had to get a new yoke.... Oh, well... I think you should be alright...I am happy for you man...he-he...see that wasn't hard, eh?

Faze2183,
part number #12477702 if you have a 1500 series, I think the part number for the 2500 series is #12477704

Silveradoking...nope it wasn't hard...I just whipped out the old checkbook and paid the guy at the Faslube. :-)

Is there a brand name for the Auto Trac II fluid and where does one go to find it ?

The transfer case fluid is called Auto-Trac 2, and can only be purchased at a dealership... do not use anything esle, or you will get the dreaded clunk....

is it acttually blue or red like tranny fluid???

Autotrak II is blue

I put auto trak II in my parents awd safari van, and it's awesome- it fixed the binding that used to occur during any type of turn, and it also fixed the clunk and harsh shifting under acceleration.

I filled the case with autotrak, drove around for 10 minutes, emptied it, and filled it with autotrack again and everything worked awesome. The only thing that stunk was that filling took forever because I only had a gravity siphon :(

hmmm odd the fluid i almost bought the other day was red

My 96 Jimmy calls for red transmission fluid, but of course it was made before the blue fluid was engineered. I don't know how the np231 would react to the blue. I can't imagine that it would be too bad. Would it be ok to put the autotrak II in?

I had the dreaded clunk and Silveradoking told me to change out the transfer case fluid with the Auto Trac II and it's been three days and it hasn't clunked once. Thanks Silveradoking...it's guys like you that really make this forum worth it's weight in gold.
Sonny01

Hey, Sonny...Thanks for the complement...and no prob...that's what I am here for.... and for the other guys... Certain previous models, I think pre-99 models have red fluid... if you have any problems with your transfer case and had previously the red stuff.... you should follow a few simple steps....Make sure you use the blue stuff, called Auto-Trac 2. It was designed by GM a few years back, and should be the only stuff you should put in your transfer case. Do not use anything esle. Change your fluid, then drive for a couple miles around 10 to 15 miles. I also found some roads where I could drive in 4x4, just to swoosh it around a bit....then change your fluid again...You should do it twice if you have the red stuff...it's not that expensive. I got mine for about $5canadian a quart, and you only need about 2 in half quarts each time.
I have read and done lots of research on many components on these trucks... and all I can tell you is GM is using more and more cheaper quality parts, well, penny-pinching in a real sort of way...? But I still love my truck, no matter what...yeah, just change it twice to the blue Auto-Trac 2, if you have the red stuff currently, no problems what so ever.

I have a 2004 gmc sierra 4x4 with the auto trac 2 fluid and i have the clunks. I wonder if the red line synthetic is the way to go.Anyone have any experience with it?

hey...belinda... if you have changed... remember changed, not had... the auto trac2, then it is time to spend some big bucks, well depends where you get it.... on a new nickel-plated yoke... if you are straped for cash now... the take the yoke out of the transfer case and grease the splines with a special monodyh.....can't remember what it is called...ask the stealership... it should last you for about 3 months, and the clunking will return....so you'lll have to keep doing... the best is to change the yoke to the new nickel plated yoke...part # 12477702 for 1500 series and part#12477704 for 2500 series... good luck

How do you think the autotrak II will work in a NP231 (96 chevy blazer) transfercase. Obviously the fluid was designed a while after these vehicles were made, but do you think they would work well with this vehicle?

What are the diffeences in "clutches" or whatever?

If you need to change the transfer case fluid, it doesn't matter which year vehicle, or what type of vehicle... you should use Auto Trac 2, the stealerships have tooken off the shelfs any other, and the ionly stuff they sell is the auto trac2...and the only stuff they use...you'll get better lubricicity...

Hey Silverado King, I just bouight a '99 z71 and I have a clunking noise at acceleration and stoping. Seems to be the driveshaft. How much did it cost for that nickel yoke? U-joints and pinion seem fine. Normal lash in rear end. Is it the yoke on the splines?

If you have a clunking or jerking sound/feeling then it is your yoke, or possible you need to change your transfer case fluid...Read the previous posts, that Irecommended to Sonny....do the transfer case fluid change first, it should help out a lot....if it doesn't work, then you need to plunk down about $600 canadian or $400 american, from the stealerships... I have heard people buying them from gmpartsdirect.com for about $150...so your call....read the previous posts first....

If you have a clunking or jerking sound/feeling then it is your yoke, or possible you need to change your transfer case fluid...Read the previous posts, that Irecommended to Sonny....do the transfer case fluid change first, it should help out a lot....if it doesn't work, then you need to plunk down about $600 canadian or $400 american, from the stealerships... I have heard people buying them from gmpartsdirect.com for about $150...so your call....read the previous posts first....


Thanx. Do you know where I can access TSB's online ?

Hey...It's a bit hard to find TSB', but if you goggle it, yo might be able to find something.... If your looking for TSB's for the silvy....I know of a few...
1. Tailgate cables need to be replaced due to premature corrossion...free replacement....safety defect....
2. The Durakon bed liner's fail to stay attached to bed of truck... free repair- safety defect....
3. Knock,thump,clunk...replace with a nickel plated yoke
4. Knock,thump,clunk...replace transfer case fluid to new Auto-Trac 2

I don't know of any other's...I think that's all of them....