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The van was being driven back and forth up the drive way. I was on a creeper on the ground a couple feet away looking underneath. the noise is coming from very far forward, Honestly sounds like its coming from near very front of the vehicle, where all all the tie rods and other thing are etc. Though, you should know that the noise will be made on flat ground too, so I don't think the suspension is really getting worked here enough to make a noise. Correct me if I am wrong.
YEs abuse is probably likely. lots of city driving too. 4000 engine hours so the vehicle was run at around 40 mph on average in it's life
You may have a worn engine mount that is causing the clunking when going into reverse.
Raise the hood, have another person start the van and put their foot on the brake and place it in drive. Standing to the side, you observe the engine while they slightly raise the engine rpm’s. If the entire engine lifts or rotates, you have worn or broken engine mounts.
Right When I went to buy the van the FIRST Thing I did was ask PO to go ahead and do a cold start. I popped the hood and was shining my light looking at the engine at start up. (and after that I run back and look at the tail pipe for smoke.) IT didn't move much. But I can also double check with your idea.
The piece that slides into the tranny is called the slide yolk.
It’s a slip yoke and it’s splined internally to match the transmission output shaft. The black rubber thing is a lip seal which is pressed into the trans tail piece and rides on the outside of the yoke.
The slip yoke is a replaceable part and the splines could get sloppy/worn if it wasn’t lubricated. If you pull the driveshaft and the yoke is dry or rusted, try greasing it lightly before putting it back. If the noise gets better, you might consider replacing the yoke.
I think it’s more likely a bad motor mount.
Last edited by copper128; Oct 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM.
OK I am getting back to you on this one. We did the test according to the charm li manual for 2013 chevy express. Yeah the engine did move, but according to the manual it can move an inch. IT didn't seem like it moved more than a half an inch. Family said it's completely normal what is happening there. He also said he thinks the noise is coming from lower, somewhere around the suspension. Also when you do this test, it does not make the clunk noise. I think it would make the clunk noise if it were the problem no?
Yeah I just went under the vehicle again yesterday and you can rotate the diff by hand under the vehicle with it not running. Is it normal to have that much slop in it? I also don't know if having the parking brake set (the cable one meant for big hills) could have any effect on it, since the vehicle isn't then sitting it's weight on the pawl (which I read you ain't ever even suppose to do unless the grounds completely flat. )
It shouldn't move much. Have you not taken the diff cover off yet? Have you checked the fluid level? Should be able to touch the fluid with your pinky finger. Very easy to take off the diff cover. Backlash should be about.008" times the gear ratio you'd get about .028" movement on the pinion. If you have stuff coming apart in there you'll know when you pop the cover off and look at the magnet.
I had my diff cover off recently. I wasn't too happy with how much was on the magnet so I took a pic. This is the all gear limited slip I swapped in.
It shouldn't move much. Have you not taken the diff cover off yet? Have you checked the fluid level? Should be able to touch the fluid with your pinky finger. Very easy to take off the diff cover. Backlash should be about.008" times the gear ratio you'd get about .028" movement on the pinion. If you have stuff coming apart in there you'll know when you pop the cover off and look at the magnet.
I had my diff cover off recently. I wasn't too happy with how much was on the magnet so I took a pic. This is the all gear limited slip I swapped in.
Yeah I had the plug out and looked a while ago. The fluid was very low. It took quite a bit of fluid to fill it back up. The magnet Looked like a bunch of grease on the back. I checked it again after another 600 miles and the fluid is still good, my pinky touches it no problem. I think the magnet as clean too still then after cleaning it before. IT's really hard to get the lash set right, starting to think an amateur did a repair on mine and didn't do it right. But I really don't know what is normal. Sometimes there is no slop in the drive axle, it's only certain times.
