03 Tahoe Z71 noises in tranny

[billamy]

Hello,
I have an 03 Tahoe Z71 4x4 that started making a awful noise like something is falling out and grinding in the tranny. It started while on the hwy at 60 mph. It felt and sounded like something broke underneath. Limped to a parking area until tow truck got there. He had me put it in reverse and the sound was even worse. Any ideas what it might be? Thanks

 

[Fless]

Possibly a cracked flexplate, just a SWAG. Can be inspected through the inspection port on the bottom of the bellhousing with an endoscope.

 

[OR VietVet]

Agree with @Fless, especially if was just the noise and the trans was still pulling and driving fine. May be something else but inside that cover is where to start looking first.

What did it sound like when you restarted it for the tow truck driver? Same or worse noise when cranking or only after started running. Difference in noise from reverse to drive?

 

[billamy]

The noise happens when it is put into gear. Any gear, even 4x4

 

[Mudsport96]

Yeah, sounds like flexplate. But without being there its just a guess.

 

[Sam Harris]

Just want to

The noise happens when it is put into gear. Any gear, even

Just want to make sure, it’s when put in gear, but even not moving..? I had a terrible noise all of a sudden, while driving down the road, and thankfully, it was only my parking brake shoe letting go. That was not a cheap fix, as these seem to be overly complicated, but I was sure happy it wasn’t the trans, as I first suspected.

 

[billamy]

Just want to

Just want to make sure, it’s when put in gear, but even not moving..? I had a terrible noise all of a sudden, while driving down the road, and thankfully, it was only my parking brake shoe letting go. That was not a cheap fix, as these seem to be overly complicated, but I was sure happy it wasn’t the trans, as I first suspected.

Yes it happens when in gear moving forward and reverse.

 

[billamy]

Agree with @Fless, especially if was just the noise and the trans was still pulling and driving fine. May be something else but inside that cover is where to start looking first.

What did it sound like when you restarted it for the tow truck driver? Same or worse noise when cranking or only after started running. Difference in noise from reverse to drive?

It at first sounded like I ran over something metal with a thud sound, then immediately sounded like something was falling off my Tahoe.
The noise is when in gear moving forward and reverse. It is way worse in reverse.

 

[OR VietVet]

I would be checking the driveshaft(s). Also check at the drive assemblies up front.

 

[Sam Harris]

Yes it happens when in gear moving forward and reverse.

To further clarify: it does NOT make the noise while in any gear, but stationary? And it DOES make the noise in all gears, moving forward or reverse, but is louder in reverse..? Perhaps it is the E brake shoe.