2004 Silveradoe Transmission Clunk

[Hookmaster]

I have a 2004 Z71 half-ton crew cab. Almost daily the transmission will clunk a few times when driving normally (not fast) while it is upshifting from 1-2 or 2-3 or downshifting from 3-2 or 2-1. I had it in once and they said this was normal since the 4X4s need more play in the transmission. My previous 2 vehicles were an S10 pickup and S10 Blazer, both 4X4s, and neither did this. Anybody have this issue? I also can see a little wet spot on the rear differential where the drive shaft connects. No gear oil on the driveway or hanging from the differential. The service guy said this was normal. I'm coming up on 30,000 warranty expiration and want to get these fixed if needed. Any thoughts are appreciated. Is there a HSOforum that deals with Silverado issues?

[Macgyver55]

You may get to see them perform, I get to make them perform!

That sounds like a pretty small test group you are comparing there, more like personal experience. And I'm not questioning your personal experience, I'm just amused at the broad statement you made based on your personal findings. I at least base my statement on a far larger sampling (a fleet of vehicles of several brands) which still doesn't prove one is better than the other, only what it is in our situation. You see in a fleet situation we have hundreds of drivers using different vehicles doing different things that are not always the same day after day. There is really no more severe of a test for them. I also have computerized records going back for many many years to back up my experience. Every vehicle my company has owned has records of every part and every minute we log on each one for its entire life span with us. These records also contain oil, fuel, tire usage so we can determine exact cost per mile analysis. So if you want to talk about facts and cost of ownership I have records for hundreds of vehicles on which to base my statements, not just opinions.

[Jeremy airjer W]

And when they get a fleet of Toyota Tundras, they scratch there heads and say why didn't we buy these sooner!!!

[Macgyver55]

I have to admit we have never had or considered Toyotas, so I have no data to back up or refute what you say.

Maybe so....maybe not.

I do know that GM and Toyota have collaborated on research since 1999 and they have a new agreement that now extends until 2008.