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2006 Chevy Tahoe 4WD noise & clanking

Tiny
RBJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
I have 2 questions: 1) Is the 4WD supposed to make noise (grinding noise) when turning corners? 2) My tahoe clanks or clunks really loud if I'm driving down the road then stop or slow down. It sounds as if the tires are going to fall off. I've had it in the shop many times and they can't seem to find the problem. Last time they changed the hub assembly but it's still clunking/clanking. I can't tell if it's coming from the back end or the wheels, but it doesn't sound good. Any ideas?
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Friday, December 19th, 2008 AT 7:10 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
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First off now the 4x4 should not make any noise at all. Now are all the tires the same size and are the fronts equal in pressure? Has the front axles been checked? How are the ball joints? Has an alignment been done recently were maybe something didn't get tightened up? Let me know what you can and we will take it from there
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Saturday, December 20th, 2008 AT 8:50 PM
Tiny
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We just had new tires put on and the pressure of each is about 34. The 4x4 makes a nosie only if I turn a corner. I don't use the 4x4 any time other than when it's snowy or we have ice. Not sure if it's been aligned but it has made noise from day one. The CLUNK or CLANK noise is very bothersome also.
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Sunday, December 21st, 2008 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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It should not make noise even on dry pavement as the gear ratio's are the same front and rear. When does the noise happen? What I mean is does it happen only when you accel hard or soft too? If you take off hard in a straight line does it do it then too or not? Get back to me so we can try to figure out what it happening here. Just so I know there is not a locker in the front diff. Is there?
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Sunday, December 21st, 2008 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
RBJJ
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The 4WD noise only happens when I turn corners. If I'm driving down the road it does not make noise, but if I turn a corner or pull into a parking space it does grind terribly bad. It's a push-button 4WD and I'm not sure what you mean by locker (I don't have to lock the hubs if that's what you mean). The clanking/clunk noise happens when I'm driving down the road and slow down, or when I'm approaching a stop sign and hit a small bump in the road. I noticed it happened when I was backing out of my driveway last week also. It doesn't necessarily happen when I put the car into a gear, just when I'm driving down the road and slow down, then. CLANK.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
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Ok so have you owned it sense new? Locker differetial means it has an aftermarket front differential that locks both wheels together so when you turn it makes noise as it locks and unlocks. Look up detroit locker up on the internet and you will see what I mean. Other wise you have checked the front end for any wear like the control arm bushings and ball joints and sway bar ends and bushings etc? Have you checked the outer axle joints for play? Have you pulled out the front axle actuator and checked it for signs of damage, it may not be extending all the way out. Here is what it looks like an it is on the right or passenger side of the front differential.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_646962_1.jpg

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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
RBJJ
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We bought the Tahoe brand new in 2006. I'm taking it back to the dealership on the 30th. I will print your response and take it to them. I also found the following on this website, do you think it could be the same problems I'm having.
Question: 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe mileage: 19,000. A clunking noise is frequently heard coming from the rear of my Tahoe when accelerating from a stop. The noise can be quite loud from inside the vehicle. When I questioned the dealer service writer he explained by telling me the noise is normal. He said that Chevrolet used to adjust the rears to eliminate this noise but the remedy was found to cause more problems in premature wear in the rear. I shudder when I hear the noise! Is this correct or do I have a problem developing? Thanks for your assistance.

Answer: Try removing the drive shaft and lubing the splines on the "U" joint yoke that goes into the transmission. The transmission fluid normally lubes this yoke but a good heavy-duty grease lightly applied works better.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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You said it is coming from the front end. If it is coming from the rear then it could be a loose pinion. I worked in a differential shop and noise coming from a diff like you are explaining is never normal in my mind and should not happen either. If it under any kind a warranty then I would use it. As for adjustment causing wear this is true because the gears get broke in as they are and when you change that pattern it eats them up because in order to adjust it you should replace the ring and pinion so it don't have a preset wear pattern.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 12:18 PM
Tiny
JROW12000
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Hi,

I am having the exact same problem! When I turn at sharp angles (like parking) it makes sort of a grinding sound while in 4X4 mode. It seems to be fine other than that. Please let me know what you discover.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 1:09 PM
Tiny
RBJJ
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  • 7 POSTS
I don't think I said the noise was coming from the front, but if I did I didn't mean to say that. What I meant to say was the noise sounds like it's coming from the rear, but I can't tell if it's the tires or not. The clank is loud enough that I almost think the whole engine will fall out, but I'm not saying it's in the front end. Just saying it's a very loud clank. My husband said he thinks it's coming from the back end. It sounds like someone is banging on a metal pan each time I slow down, and sometimes when accerlating (usually when my husband is driving). So.I need to tell the dealership to check the pinion? It's under an extended warranty (thank God). I know there's something wrong with it, I'm just trying to find a person that can fix it.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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Now I am guessing that this noise is only in 4x4 and when you turn? I would check the pinion to see if it is loose and check the axles for to much end play too. Call around and find some one that has rear end experience and this can easily be done wrong and makes a bigger mess then good. If it is the rear pinion that is loose then replace the ring and pinion gears together and new bearing.
Have you husband try to shake the rear driveline near the rear end to see if there any movement and he can also lift the rear tires off the ground one at a time and check for in and out play there should be a little like about 3/8th of an inch or so and no more. By doing this you will know what seems to be the problem so you don't get taken for a ride if you know what I mean. Let me know what you find and how it goes ok. Thanks again
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
RBJJ
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I took my Chevy Tahoe to the dealership service center on 12/30. They did nothing about the noises. The service guy told me that both noises (the 4WD noise & the CLANK/CLUNK noise) are normal. He said Chevy has put out bullentins about both issues. The 4WD bullentin says something about it's normal for the 4x4 to make noise if turning onto dry pavement-no fix for it. He said the CLANK/CLUNK noise bullentin says it's the drive shaft and the only fix is to apply lubricant to the drive shaft which will cost about $85-100 and not covered on the warranty. I'm so irritated. They didn't put my car on a lift or anything. They couldn't duplicate the CLANK/CLUNK noise, so they just sent me home telling me it's not serious. Don't know that I believe them.
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Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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Well I'll be dipped there is a service bulletin on this they say it a difference in the of ratio's and the noise is actually the paletary gearing and the noise is worse on dry pavement and even louder when cornering and on decel or acceleration. So with this there is nothing we can do as it is a characteristic problem with this type of 4x4 system. Sorry but it looks like they are right. The bulletin number is 01-04-18-001F. Thanks and again sorry but its true.
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
RBJJ
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Did you find a TSB on the CLANK/CLUNK noise associated with the drive shaft? The dealer said the noise has nothing to do with the 4WD, and it's on another TSB. Your help is appreciated. Glad to know the dealer isn't fibbing to me.
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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Yes I did find the TSB on the driveline noise. What I found is a joke but it say's to replace the driveshaft slip yoke with a new one. The joke is that this isn't a recall so they don't pay for the fix. The bulletin number is 01-04-17-004B. Sorry about that but this is what it say's. Thanks again. If there is any more then get back to me.
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Monday, January 5th, 2009 AT 11:16 AM

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