Tahoe & Suburban The power, space, and brutal towing ability make the Tahoe and its longer sibling, the Suburban, arguably the best full size SUV's on the market today.

2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Platform: GMT 400, 800, 900

help - Tahoe started jerking when in reverse

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old August 27th, 2009, 8:54 AM
  #1  
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
gcr2532's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default help - Tahoe started jerking when in reverse

I have a 2003 Chevy Tahoe 2wd with 115K miles. When I put it in reverse, it will start backing up for a few feet and then you feel a jerk. The first time it happened I thought I backed into something. It almost feels like a u-Joint slipping, kind of like a clunking sound. But if it's a u-joint, should it also clunk when I put it in drive too? If not the u-joint, any other ideas what could be the culprit?
Old August 27th, 2009, 10:13 AM
  #2  
Administrator
 
in2pro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 7,573
Received 45 Likes on 45 Posts
Default

Welcome to the forum

That or the rear differential, locker could be hanging up, and something to consider is the rear brakes more so on drums then disc but something to consider...
Old August 27th, 2009, 11:40 AM
  #3  
CF Addict
 
SabrToothSqrl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default clunk

my 95 would 'clunk' into reverse... always sounded bad, never affected anything with 280,000 on the odo...

if you drop a u-joint you will know soon enough

they are easy to replace though and there are only 2 on the back shaft... it's an ok place to start for $30 or so...
Old August 27th, 2009, 8:54 PM
  #4  
CF Beginner
 
chrisbmo2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

sounds like the tranny may be low on fluid....if the fluid is fine have someone check the line pressure on the tranny...... it sounds like what you have is what is called a reverse double engagment which is usually caused by a low fluid condition or low line pressure.
Old August 27th, 2009, 9:11 PM
  #5  
Super Moderator
Professional Mechanic
 
MDTAHOE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 2,950
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

One way to prove or eliminate the u-joints is to pull the shaft out and move each joint in all directions they should move smoothly and freely.
Old August 29th, 2009, 12:06 PM
  #6  
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
gcr2532's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the post, I'll take a look this weekend and post the results.
Old August 30th, 2009, 9:23 AM
  #7  
Administrator
 
in2pro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 7,573
Received 45 Likes on 45 Posts
Default

remember to block the wheels and work on a flat/level surface, once you take the drive shaft out the tranny no longer keeps the rear wheels from free spinning and the truck from rolling away and or over you....
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
caldwell33
Silverado, Sierra & Fullsize Pick-ups
1
March 26th, 2015 8:05 PM
Patrick Ryan
General Tech
3
March 20th, 2014 10:07 PM
KitaKaT
General Tech
8
May 13th, 2008 2:43 PM
chrisrud15
S-10 & Blazer
1
October 25th, 2006 2:25 AM



Quick Reply: help - Tahoe started jerking when in reverse



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 7:54 PM.