I have a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD quadrasteer. Lately 32000 miles, I have noticed a loud noise when backing out of parking space or slowly in drive turning. GMC says some of these trucks with this rear end are known to do this grinding/binding noise. They (GMC) has changed the diff oil with synthetic with neg results. Now they say it is the clutch pins causing the noise. Any of you guys experiencing this noise?

Hi, Keys. Welcome to QSClub

The sound you're referring to is fairly common. It's generally attributed to posi chatter.

Our posis don't have clutches- they're Detroit TrueTracs- helical gear units.

Could it be the tires chattering on the pavement ??

Are you under warranty still ??

2003 GMC 1500HD Sierra Crewcab 4x4 Quadrasteer 410 gear

I should have mentioned it is a 4x4. I bought the truck with 18000 miles, it did not make the noise. It is pushing over 32000 miles and progressively getting worse. It makes the noise on gravel, offroad, or on pavement. The dealer is talking to the warranty people at GMC and they are telling the service guys to try going to synthetic oil first. That did not work. Now they want to replace the clutch pins/dogs. I do not know if there are clutches inside the diff or not. I am beginning to feel I am getting the old run a round, try this, try that, see if this fixes it. This, plus the fact that every time I bring it in, the service guys look at the quadrasteer and say, wow, I don't know, never worked on one of those!

No clutches, no cones. Helical gears.

Look in the trans/rearend section, you'll find a bunch of info on our posi's

Lately my truck's been making some grinding noises when I turn, not metal to metal, but how tires sound when they rub on body parts. It doesn't happen all the time, but is happening more frequently. I haven't taken it in to Chevy yet, since my work hours are so messed up lately and they won't let me leave the job during the day, (you just can't leave construction workers alone for while, they'll end up doing something stupid, or so my company thinks).

Also there seems to be some play in the rear end or the transmission, it seems to thud when you take off from a complete stop, sometimes when you creep along it'll thud also.

Anyone else have these problems? I hope this isn't a QS thing.

Right now I'm really glad that I got my zero deductable warranty.

Kinda more like a grumbling sound than a grinding sound ??

Could possibly the rear CVs, but I'd kinda doubt it at just 55k miles.

Your thud pretty much sounds like a u-joint(s) or possibly your carrier bearing. I'd hope our u-joints live longer than that, but if you get pretty firm shifts, that could accelerate u-joint wear.

Hmmm... and CVs.....

Let us know what you find.

My shifts are a little firmer than stock, but not to the point that they slam into the next gear. That should not cause the u-joints to fail at such a low mileage. I guess I just need to get it to the dealer ASAP.

I brought my truck to another dealership and they fixed the noise which I was experiencing. The truck is now quiet like it should be when I maneuver at slow speeds or backing out of a parking spot. Thanks for all the input, great web page/forum.

What was the fix that seemed to take care of the problem?

Kind of rude not to share the fix. Let us know...please.

Please, do tell....enquiring minds want to know!

I had replied to this a few days ago and then scrapped it (another one of my ramblings ), but let me see if I can contact him directly to get an answer for us


bkcountry, c'mon, man.... what'd they do ??



Don't make me double your dues !!!!

Wow, I would really like to know also. I get the same noise when backing out of my driveway first thing in the morning. After that it does not seem so apparent. FLKeys, where are you???

What's the deal, why's Flkeysbkcounty holdin' out on us?

I gots t' know...I gots t' know!

Y'all, I hope he's okay and the Katrina doesn't have anything to do with it