2003 Silverado 4x4 Noises

[KMARKS]

I Have A 2003 Silverado Z71 That Make A Horrible Noise When Turning In 4-wheel Drive. The Service Department Tells Me That Is Is Perfectly Normal. Has Anyone Else Had This Problem And Is In Normal??

[amac209]

when 4x4 is engaged the front and rear wheels turn the same amount. when you make a sharp turn the turning radius of the front vs. rear tires is greater so the tires must slip. it's normal for the tires to hop& chirp then turning.

[KMARKS]

The noise I am getting is doesn't sound like the tires. It sounds more like the gears rubbing or something. It does this when a even might a slight turn

[Icy Silverado]

I have a 2003 1500HD that has the same problem. When it had 8000 miles, it had to have the front ring and pinion replaced because of the fluid in the front differential not being compatable with the temps here in Alaska (-40 F). I was told that there were quite a few trucks that were serviced improperly from the factory and Chevy was replacing the same parts on many other trucks in all parts of the country.

A friend of mine here had the same problem on the exact same type of truck and had the ring and pinion replaced in his also. His has stopped making any noises, but mine has started again after about a couple hundred miles on the new R & P, only using synthetic now.

I took it in last week and was told that the grinding or "gear" noise when turning was "inherent" to that truck by the dealership manager who called Chevrolet about it. I have the auto-track 4WD system that doesn't make the same noise as when the 4WD is locked in, but it does still make noise. I asked about the gearing going out after the factory warranty expired and was told that if I track my maintenance and could show proof, at say 50,000 miles, that the dealership could warranty the front end; I'm not holding my breath.

Let me know if you get any more info. I would take it to the dealership and ask about some of the ring and pinion sets being replaced in some vehicles. I bought mine last April so it should have left the factory about Jan or Feb 2003. Good luck.

[KMARKS]

Thanks for replying. I talked to a couple other GM dealerships and they all told me that the tolerances on the gears were so tight from the factory, you are going to get the gears noises on all of them. I drove a couple of different 4x4 Silverados and they all made the same noise. It doesn't sound right but what is person supposed to do. Maybe it is normal and won't cause any problems. Mine doesn't make any noises in Auto-Track 4wd. If you find out anything else, please let me know. I will do the same.

[PsycJester]

I had a clanking problem when turning. Sounded like it was comming from the front areas. Ended up being that somehow the intermediate shaft needed lubing. This is done at the factory and I was told was something that I couldn't do and had to be done at the dealer. May be somehting to look into.