Driveline slop
 

I know this question has been posted before but I thought I'd refloat it since there are newbs here with new rides.
This is not my first AWD ride but it's a new problem since my last AWD vehicle didn't do it.

Here's the scenerio: While driving I come to a corner, I ease off the gas, turn and get back on the accelerator. As soon as I mash the gasI get the dreaded AWD clunk from whicheverwheel is on the "fast" side of the turn. If I ease into the throttle softly then I can keep the clunk at bay and I don't notice it. But that's not always possible in real world driving.

Question... Does anyone experience this same problem or is it exclusive to my ride?

RE: Driveline slop
 

hmmm haven't noticed that one, sounds like something worth checking on though

RE: Driveline slop
 

I run mine pretty hard. Never noticed that noise, but I did notice that I have a new rattle in the dash today. [:@]

RE: Driveline slop
 

Have not noticed that either. Are you shure it isn't the steering shaft problem? I "feel" it in the pedals when it happens. Usualy under the same conditions you discribed. The only thing is, since the weather has turned colder here in Indiana I haven't noticed it. The dealer checked it outthis weekand couldn't get it to reproduce the noise. Just a thought.

RE: Driveline slop
 

I have had my H3 for about 3 weeks. I have noticed when I stop at a stop sign and do not come to a complete stop then hit the gas there is a clunk feeling in the vehicle. I have not noticed it while going around a corner, but have noticed it when coming upon stop signs in my neighborhood.

Is this normal? or should I have the dealer check this out.

RE: Driveline slop
 

No, I've had the steering shaft replaced and that took care of 99% of the clunking noises. This one usually happens after a turn but can be replicated by driving about 30, easing up on the gas and stepping moderately hard on the gas. It's like the driveline is playing catch up with the forward motion.My next trip to the dealer I'll mention that to them and see what smoke they can blow up my.....

RE: Driveline slop
 

How many miles do you have on your H3? I noticed the same thing on my last H3 once it had around 25k on it. It's normal.

RE: Driveline slop
 

I know the 'catch up clunk' that you're talking about -- and some vehicles it's barely noticable. Others I've been in others that it's more obvious, but there's really not much they can do to reduce it. It's probably worth a try to the dealer, in case it's something else.

RE: Driveline slop
 

I only have 5,000 miles on it, practically new but the clunk has been there since jump. My old Explorer did that after about 70,000 miles so I'd expect that from an old worn out truck but not a new one. I'll add that to my list of squawks when I go back to the dealer.

RE: Driveline slop
 

Yep there was a prior post on this topic, and yes you can get that "driveline clunk" in GM vehicles, turning can enhance the feel/sound of the clunk in some w/ limited slip type differentials. I have observed it w/ my 3 on occaision, but I try to persuade this brick to move with gental suggestions from my right foot if possible. ;)

RE: Driveline slop
 

Yes, I have the same issue as well. It cluncks coming out of a turn. Is this a problem? This is my 1st AWD.

RE: Driveline slop
 

Damn this rattle. The dealer can not replicate it. This rattle happens every day and every time I drive it but under some circumstances that I can't replicate either. It does it when it feels like it. It does it as well whenI turn on the car and turn off the car.An no, itsnot the TSB for the steering shaft. I had that fixed as well. Unless, this is caused by the replacement.

RE: Driveline slop
 

If you got a video camera / camcorder you might want to tape it and then show it to the dealer. That way you can catch the noise without looking like "the crazy guy who hears things and sees dead people" at the service desk.

I hope you figure out the source and get it fixed soon!

So much for that...
 

So much for that problem....Answer? Live with it!

Driveline - Clunk Explanation

File In Section: 04 - Driveline Axle

Bulletin No.: 99-04-20-002A

Date: September, 2001

INFORMATION

Subject:
Driveline Clunk

Models:
2002 and Prior Light Duty Truck Models

This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-20-002 (Section 04 - Driveline/Axle).

Important: The condition described in this bulletin should not be confused with Driveline Stop Clunk, described in Corporate Bulletin Number 964101R (Chevrolet 92-265-7A, GMC Truck 91-4A-77, Oldsmobile 47-71-20A, GM of Canada 93-4A-100) or Bump/Clunk Upon Acceleration, described in Corporate Bulletin Number 99-04-21-004.

Some owners of light duty trucks equipped with automatic transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise when shifting between Park and Drive, Park and Reverse, or Drive and Reverse. Similarly, owners of vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions may comment that the vehicle exhibits a clunk noise while driving when the accelerator is quickly depressed and then released.

Whenever there are two or more gears interacting with one another, there must be a certain amount of clearance between those gears in order for the gears to operate properly. This clearance or freeplay (also known as lash) can translate into a clunk noise whenever the gear is loaded and unloaded quickly, or whenever the direction of rotation is reversed. The more gears you have in a system, the more freeplay the total system will have.

The clunk noise that owners sometimes hear may be the result of a buildup of freeplay (lash) between the components in the driveline.

For example, the potential for a driveline clunk would be greater in a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle than a 2-wheel drive vehicle. This is because in addition to the freeplay from the rear axle gears, the universal joints, and the transmission (common to both vehicles), the 4-wheel drive transfer case gears (and their associated clearances) add additional freeplay to the driveline.

In service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions for the following reasons:

Comments of driveline clunk are almost never the result of one individual component with excessive lash, but rather the result of the added affect of freeplay (or lash) present in all of the driveline components.

Because all of the components in the driveline have a certain amount of lash by design, changing driveline components may not result in a satisfactory lash reduction.

While some owners may find the clunk noise objectionable, this will not adversely affect durability or performance.

RE: So much for that...
 

Turns out my advisor stated that the replacement that they put in my H3 is not the final fix. They are still waiting for it. This new rattle/steering colum issue has to do with the steering shaft. He calls it a hormonic imbalance. Note that the part number is the same as the one in the other post. The pedal vibrations went away but now there is something else.We will see.