Some Chevy Silverado 1500 owners may notice a clicking noise coming from their vehicle’s front axle while driving. Now, a possible cause for this issue has been identified, as has a fix.
According to a recent report from GM TechLink, this issue may be present in certain units of the 2019 through 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 equipped with four-wheel drive and a front axle tagged with RPO code SU4. The report does not indicate if this issue affects the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500.
The sound can apparently be heard when the vehicle is driven in two-wheel drive, but goes away when the vehicle is put into four-wheel drive. The issue is caused by the left-side front axle output shaft. According to the report, the sound does not affect the durability or operation of the vehicle.
In order to address this issue, GM technicians are instructed to first test drive the Chevy Silverado 1500 in question in order to confirm that there is indeed a squeaking or clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The sound may be easiest to duplicate in warmer ambient temperatures after roughly 30 miles of driving.
Once the sound has been confirmed as emanating from the front-left axle seal area, technicians are instructed to replace the left-side front axle shaft (or front-wheel drive shaft). Technicians should install a new part that includes a slinger and retaining ring, both of which are considered to be single-use parts. Technicians should refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement – Left Side or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement – Left Side (SU4) in the Service Information.
The report also notes that the repair with a new part number differs from previous repair attempts, and that any Chevy Silverado 1500 that has had a previous repair attempted and / or the condition has returned before January 27th, 2022 should perform the repair using the new part number.
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Comments
Re:front left axle clicking
In general if it is a defect, recall what ever the problem on a 1500 Silverado, does that immediately mean that it applies to a 1500 Sierra?
yes applies to sierra as well
I have a 2019 Silverado that I have an open case # with GM. According to their published bulletin (PIP5653J it says, replace left axle output shaft. They refuse to replace it and claim the part is “under further investigation by engineering. I’ve been complaining about this for four years. Good luck!
I just heard this noise on the left front of my 2021 Silverado. Tech looked into it and said it was the rack and pinion. The issue I see further is inside tire wear on the same side. We are taking it to another shop.
I wasn’t aware The Silverado had rack and pinion. Quote from above “According to their published bulletin (PIP5653J it says, replace left axle output shaft. They refuse to replace it and claim the part is “under further investigation by engineering. I’ve been complaining about this for four years. Good luck! ” I would file a claim with GM instead of pay for another mechanic to look at it. There is no cure until GM so called engineering come up with the parts.