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03 Silverado hard shifting


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codylk92
New User

Mar 13, 2014, 6:48 PM

Post #1 of 9 (3685 views)
03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

2003
Chevrolet
Silverado 1500 extended cab z71 4wd
5.3l v8
150k

My truck is jerking from 1st to 2nd usually soft but sometimes jerks. Then 2nd to 3rd gets worse sometimes is easy but mostly a harder jerk and a small clunk. Finally from 3rd to 4th rarely soft usually a hard kick and loud clunk and all this are coming from the rear end. Also it sometimes whines when you first put it in drive but almost always does it when in reverse or turning hard. Lastly when I slow down for a turn if I dont dead stop and start turning and accelerate through the turn it will jerk kick and clunk in the year and bounce around and the back of the truck likes to sway like its not aligned properly and throw the truck around. I was wondering if this is a transmission issue or is my rear end starting to go out. I tried to be as detailed as possible thank you for your time. There is a very small leak of teansmission fluid and the ban has a long dented in scratch as well and a hole in the flexplate dust cover that I coveres up with duct tape until my new cover arrives.


(This post was edited by codylk92 on Mar 13, 2014, 7:07 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 14, 2014, 6:46 AM

Post #2 of 9 (3652 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

There's a list of things to check.
U-Joints, strut bushings for rear axle and leaf springs if it uses leaf springs. If leaf style they can make noise all by themselves, OE should have had plastic silencers that are gone now or bushings. More bushings for coil type springs and supports bars.
Sway bars not as likely but check all anyway.
Turning is both shift of weight and changes of load on these things and bearing too. Need to check all that is rubber isolated to dampen noises and smooth things out down to mounts for engine and other drivetrain items,


T



kev2
Veteran
kev2 profile image

Mar 14, 2014, 7:43 AM

Post #3 of 9 (3643 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

to expand on toms idea-
start with fluid level and condition check then
with a helper - have them start vehicle, position yourself so you can observe the drive shaft- SAFELY - with their foot firmly on brake have them shift to D observe the drive shaft - then with foot firmly on brake shift to R - you can repeat as necessary - the action of each joint should be smooth - a jerk form one to another would be noticable and a further inspection.

1993 - this should be a 4L60E transmission- check codes it is way to easy to overlook.


codylk92
New User

Mar 15, 2014, 6:31 PM

Post #4 of 9 (3619 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

Well ive tried everything and checked everything and nothing showed any sign of being bad now I noticed a bird chirping noise and it sounds like something is spinning faster then normal when it goes from 1st to 2nd


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 16, 2014, 5:42 AM

Post #5 of 9 (3613 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

? Tried to find what rear end suspension style was for this and shows this so far............

You said it at least feels like it's shifting like out of alignment! That and something happened to break the dust shield so what happened to cause this at all?


A drip/leak involved also so check and know fluids are full, find and fix that leak. The mechanical feel of this shifting, noise(s) suggests real failure of parts held properly in place.


Checking for something broken or worn enough to really move when stresses are on parts or entire assemblies will be hard to observe alone. The test DS suggested of what I call brake standing might show something move that is excessive.


Exactly how any of this really makes it feel like a hard shift may be two things going on not both the same problem?


At a minimum I'd support entire rear axle and push, pull and pry carefully for any motion out of ordinary or parts that show any unusual evidence. Sometimes U-Joints make chirps but are tight unless removed from vehicle and then it's obvious. That shouldn't feel like a "sway" IMO but it this sustained underside damage all bets off and everything needs checking as I think this is damage more that wear for some of the trouble?


T



codylk92
New User

Mar 16, 2014, 3:00 PM

Post #6 of 9 (3604 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

Well at a second look with my uncle whos not a mechanic but worked on cars for years. My transmission mount and transfer case mount is going bad because it moves a lot. The bearing at the end of the transmission as it goes to the driveshaft is lose and the u joint at the spot is starting to go bad all my shocks need replaced and my back leaf springs need some work. And the seal at the tranny pan is bad but the levels are good and I got the truck with the broken flexplate cover I just noticed it when I went to inspect everything. Now he said thete could be to much fluid from previous owners over compensating for the small leak it sounds like my gears are floating. And it makes a horrible whine in reverse but he said all that could cause it once I fix that im hoping everything straightens out hut is there anything else I should keep in mind im chaing all the fluids when I do this to the tranny fluid transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid to but other then that anything I should keep eyes on.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 16, 2014, 4:44 PM

Post #7 of 9 (3600 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

OK - Before you begin partial fixes I really suggest and professional check out and itemized list of what now I'll say is damaged or abused items or just some hard use possible?


Just look at the diagram up few posts of the leaf springs. Only the top spring is connected at both ends where bushings are, the back can swing a bit for load reason. That style also controls the left to right motion of the rear end also holding wheels in place such that additional struts are not required for most. Whatever you found wrong with the springs once was fixable (getting old here) and even re-bent or a leaf added and so on. Ask around depending on what is wrong.


Fluid leaks in trans/gearcases etc., if overfilled to compensate could make what's left bubble up, cavatate or who knows? Not the approach for a fix.


Rear bearing to driveshaft bearing? Not so common and some plain up down motion may be normal on what is probably a splined shaft that can slip? Different ways so don't know for sure. If a real bearing issue at the outlet extension of trans you could be in for some real work and bucks - the reason I seriously think a good general professional should be looking at this as said above.


When you mentioned it could or felt like it could sway it's now on the safety issue list so not my recommendation to drive this anymore. If rear axle broke loose from a spring you would lose control of the vehicle never mind if it can move that's unacceptable of course.


T



codylk92
New User

Mar 16, 2014, 6:34 PM

Post #8 of 9 (3595 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

Ive been thinking I should take it to a professional most likely a chevy dealership due to the long possibilities of what could be wrong i felt it would be best if I did and just paid hoped it was something minor. Because as I said it just does so many different things and makes so many noises and feels like its dragging or somethings pulling me back. Now the shocks need replaced and I was gonna add to the leaf springs just to give some life back because the truck is sagging a little and more one one side then the other


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 16, 2014, 7:15 PM

Post #9 of 9 (3592 views)
Re: 03 Silverado hard shifting Sign In

! Truck is sagging on one side!! There's more wrong then you can wait for. Reason for suggesting pro help is my guess is YOU can't quickly put this thing overhead, look, pry on things with plenty of light as fast as someone who does lots of stuff/work on vehicles should be able to and know what is a real problem or what isn't.


Shocks and such are really just on the maintenance list much like needing new tires but can cause some wild behavior in some if no dampening power or totally swinging in air broken off you'd know.


Ask when and if possible with a good check if you can observe and discuss it while doing it. That would be shop rules place by place. What you might want to do and what would be too much of a hassle or tools too difficult to rent or buy for a one time thing.


Knowing is better than not,


T


Short bucks to find out just where you stand with this







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