99 silverado tranny clunking

Hey all, I have a 99 siverado 4x4 z71 with 148,000 miles. I have changed the tranny fluid every 50,000 miles. I have had the infamous trnasfer case leak and I have bought a good used transfer case with 40,000 miles on it. ( stored it for 3 months til today)

Tonight on the way into my driveway my truck stopped without much braking effort. I then put it into revere and had no reverse. I gave it some gas and then the gears finally kicked in and then I was moving in reverse. I then put it back into drive and I heard a terrible grinding and clunking noise. I first checked my u joints and that was not it. pulled the drive shaft and checked the ujoints and they are good. I knew I was going to replace my transfer case someday, well today was the day. BUt

BUT, before I pulled the transfer case I put the truck in drive and still heard the grinding noise with both front and rear drive shafts pulled. I pulled the transfer case and thought that the noise may be coming from there.

Well it is not. I have just the tranny in the truck now and when I put the truck in neutral (without the engine running) I can turn the tranny shaft easily one way, but when I try to turn it in the opposite direction, it turns then starts to grind and then stops. I keep doing this and it will do this every time.

What are my options???

Is my tranny shot or what???

I am not too happy now.....I did all of the changing of fluids and still lost my tranny.

read that tutorial....and the rebuild is out of my league....

Thanks for the info...

Now, how much for a rebuilt tranny, either me buying it and installing and or total rebuild and install from a shop like mr transmisssion or somebody like that??

read that tutorial....and the rebuild is out of my league....

Thanks for the info...

Now, how much for a rebuilt tranny, either me buying it and installing and or total rebuild and install from a shop like mr transmisssion or somebody like that??


after the transmission is evaluated then you will be able to recieve the cost of repair...or if necessary a new/or other scrap yard tranny...

I would like to know how,,, and who the tansmission fluid was serviced..did they remove pan replace filter every 50,ooomi...was first change at 50,ooomi...was the correct fliter used..I have deep pan I have seen the incorrect filters sold that state they are for my deep pan this is not correct...then the type of fluid ....who is the manufacturer..?

as with any componet even with correct maintenance after 100,ooomi anything is possible...


this info would be good to share with other forum members..

I would like to know how,,, and who the tansmission fluid was serviced..did they remove pan replace filter every 50,ooomi...was first change at 50,ooomi...was the correct fliter used..I have deep pan I have seen the incorrect filters sold that state they are for my deep pan this is not correct...then the type of fluid ....who is the manufacturer..?
this info would be good to share with other forum members..

I first went to Goodyera at 55,00 miles and they hokked up a machine to the tranny lines at the radiator. I was told that they run the truck in neutral and run the machine thus changing out all of the tranny fluid even in the torque converter (filter was not replaced). At 100,00 miles I used a fram tranny filter with dextron (used what the manual recommended). It now has 148,000 and I was due to change it out again.

I have a local guy who has a shop with 25 years experience and will tear down my tranny and replace all electronics, torque converter and do a totoal rebuild. He may even change out the cooler, if he cannot flush it out properly.
(I have an external cooler for my z71 option). Looking somewhere between $1200 and $1500 total. I have the infamous clip problem with my transfer case also, But I have a spare transfer case. He is also going to open the case and make sure the clip is in place, before he puts on my spare transfer case.

He is recommended from 2 of my buddies. 12 month warranty with no mileage terms.

Seems pretty good to me.

I first went to Goodyera at 55,00 miles and they hokked up a machine to the tranny lines at the radiator. I was told that they run the truck in neutral and run the machine thus changing out all of the tranny fluid even in the torque converter (filter was not replaced). At 100,00 miles I used a fram tranny filter with dextron (used what the manual recommended). It now has 148,000 and I was due to change it out again.

I have a local guy who has a shop with 25 years experience and will tear down my tranny and replace all electronics, torque converter and do a totoal rebuild. He may even change out the cooler, if he cannot flush it out properly.
(I have an external cooler for my z71 option). Looking somewhere between $1200 and $1500 total. I have the infamous clip problem with my transfer case also, But I have a spare transfer case. He is also going to open the case and make sure the clip is in place, before he puts on my spare transfer case.

He is recommended from 2 of my buddies. 12 month warranty with no mileage terms.

Seems pretty good to me.



I want to thank you for that very important info on how your transmission was serviced...I have found that this type of servicing has caused many a transmission an early death...

the filter must be replaced at the first 30-40,ooomi interval as this is when all the debris and breakin generates the most contaminates...as the fluid was replaced not this way ,,,this may have loosened torque converter debris into the valve bodies and further restricted the filter...also the bottom of the pan can have a large build up of debris this is where the fluid is sucked into the filter...


when you acquire your next vehicle always replace the filter and clean the pan then if necessary have the fluid completely replaced thru the coolant lines...with no pressure equiptment....attached...as the old comes out the new goes in...



the 1500 for repairs is a reasonable cost and if this shop is recommended it would be a good choice...
good luck

Thanks for the info..I feel a little better now. So changed the filter and fluid rather than having it sucked out at a shop (filter not replaced). I was told the later method was better, but obviously it is not.

I will change the filter and fluid by removing the pan on my next tranny. Thanks for the info

I hope somebody will read this and learn from my experience.

Thanks to all...

Money put into my 99 silverado 4x4 z71 ext cab 148,000 miles:
2 u-joints
2nd set of Michelin LTX MS (95,000 miles on 1st set)
front brakes a/c delco Durastop changed at 145,000 miles (and still had some to go)
Rear brakes with parking brake (changed once)
all fluid changes at recommended intervals
K&N airfiler
wiper blades
light bulbs
ac delco spark plugs at 100,000 miles

now a $1500 tranny job.

Not too bad for upkeep on this truck.

No truck payments since 2004

I cannot complain. I will but another one in 2010.

oh yeah.....forgot.....replaced the fuel pump at 145,000 miles with a delphi pump