I have a 2001 SuperCrew with the 4.6 V8, 4WD, auto, and limited slip rear end.

About 30% of the time, only from a complete stop, I get a "hitch", or "jerk", or "slip" in the driveline. It only happens as I leave the dead stop position, and never occurs during gear changes.

My best guess it either the transfer case chain slipping momentarily or the clutches in the limited slip unit slipping momentarily.

Any ideas??? Anyone else experience this???? Thanks

 

i would say it sounds like either the trans .... delay of engagemnet of low gear or transfercase problem

 

I sometimes get that too. I've done some mods, so my engine is producing more horsepower than stock. When I leave from a stop, sometimes my transmission doesn't need to hit first to start out, but then it drops back and it jerks the truck.... don't know if that's the same thing that's happening to you. RPM's don't drop any, as the torque converter is not locked up, so I can see how it could be mistaken for drivetrain slack.

Hope this helps,
-Flea

 

Thanks for the responses.....

I really don't think it is the transmission, though.....

IF I had to guess, I would say it is behind the tranny, either the transfer case or the rear end....maybe the limited slip is slipping????

 

It very well could be. I'm not sure whether or not the LS would slip like that, but if it does, you might want to take it in to be checked. Also, have you changed your air filter lately? I was checking mine and I forgot to hook up the MAF again, and it caused my transmission to shift really jerky.

-Flea

 

I havbe not touched the air filter...only has 3,000 miles on the truck. Thanks for the heads up though, as I intend to install an AIRAID system next week..........

 

You'll have to let us all know how the installation goes... I'm still waiting on my Gen. II to get here. I ordered it on Tuesday, and the anticipation is killing me...

-Flea

 

Don't know if this is the same deal, but I 'had' a "clunk" noise that I would get after coming to a stop and then taking off again. It was the leaf springs from all I could tell. What clued me in to that was this site, and when I had a load in the back, it would not make the noise. Only when empty.

I added some overload springs that bolts to the leaf springs and puts an "upward" load on them (so they won't sag as much when loaded), well, it not only cured my sagging problem, but the clunk noise stopped as well.

Like I said, I don't know if we are talking about the same noise, but see if you can put some kind of load in the back and then see or hear if the noise is still there.

Just a thought....

 

davidzog

Are you in 2x4 or 4x4? The chain sprocket isn't locked in 2x4, so I think you've got essentially a direct drive from tranny to driveshaft to axle (i.e. transfer case isn't malfunctioning because it isn't doing anything in the first place in 2x4).

My only other comment is that "slipping" of the LS would only cause one wheel to spin faster than the other, and as long as one wheel had traction and pushed, I don't think that would cause a jerking feeling or a sudden tightening of drivetrain slack. Also, if you are on dry pavement it's impossible there is an slipping occuring of either wheel, too much traction.

 

I do have a 4X4, with a transfer case between the transmission and both axle assemblies....

I thought about it being a spring or a bushing, but it's hard to tell.

I guess I'll just take it to the dealer and let them fix it. I thought that there might be a trend with this type of problem, but apparently not.

For example, I had a 99 F150 4X4 with a bad yoke...this was a real problem in 99, and lots of folks wrote in about it....kind of like the proverbial door cracks that many folks experienced.....

 

davidzog

What I meant was when is it happening (in 4x4 or in 2x4)?, and what I was saying is that transfer case doesn't do anything while you are in 2x4 other than provide a direct drive out its rear end to the rear drive shaft, no chain sprockets lock, nothing. The high-range input gear is engaged and spins power right "through" an unlocked chain sprocket assembly (drive and driven sprocket). Thus, only your rear drive shaft gets power, and that power is a 1:1 match from what it receives from the tranny. I really don't think there is anything to "slip" that would just happen from stop.

I would concentrate on what you and Mitch150 said, driveline components like shafts, slip yokes, universals, rear suspension, etc...That's where I would guess "slack" would occur.

This may sound like a stupid idea, but could you get someone to go from stop and see if you can tell from the outside where the sounds is coming from? Hell, maybe you could hang from the cab steps..

 

Now I get it...thanks

 

I'd lube the slip yoke, that's an easy or inexpensive fix, and if that is not the problem, you can look to the other things mentioned here. I've had a similar symptom about a year ago, and after lubing the yoke, it has yet to reappear. try searching for slip yoke and read the posts on that topic.

Bambino