The Chevy Silverado is an amazing truck that fulfills almost every need of a truck owner. It drives smooth, is very durable, has amazing internal and external features, and is quite versatile as well.
If there was one thing that people had to complain about, it was that- sometimes the Chevy Silverado causes a clunking or rattling noise when you push on the accelerator.
Most of the time, the rattling noise on a Chevy Silverado is caused when the skid plate and the transfer case come in contact. Oftentimes this is caused by a damaged kid plate that is deformed into an upward bending position. The issue can also be caused by a transmission motor that has run its course.
Fortunately, the Chevy Silverado rattling noise when accelerating is not a very severe issue. It is more common than you think. There are lots of fixes that you can try out in a trial-and-error process to find out the issue and fix it.
What Causes The Rattling Noise In A Chevy Silverado When Accelerating?
There are a lot of reasons why you could be hearing the rattling noise on a Chevy Silverado.
One of the main and most common reasons why this happens is- the skid plate comes in contact with the transfer case. When there is damage on the skid plate- it can turn into a bent upward position which can cause it to come in contact with the transfer case. So, when you accelerate, and your truck rides over a rock or something bumpy, the skid plate comes in contact with the transfer case. This causes a rattling noise.
Another reason why you could be hearing the noise is that- the drive shaft is not aligned properly. If the drive shaft is misaligned, it can be angled towards the transfer case. Similar to the skid plate, the drive shaft can come in contact with the transfer case and cost a rattling noise.
Worn-out transmission mounts or engine mounts can also be responsible for this annoying rattling noise. When the transmission mount or the engine mount becomes loose, it can come in contact with the skid plate and cause an unnecessary annoying rattling noise when you press on the accelerator.
How To Fix The Rattling Noise In A Chevy Silverado?
Because the Chevy Silverado making a rattling noise is such a common issue, there are a lot of fixes for this issue. If you have found out the exact reason why the rattling noise is occurring, you can easily fix it afterward.
Here are all the possible fixes provided step-by-step to solve the rattling noise issue-
- If the problem is caused by the skid plate coming in contact with the transfer case- you need to bend the skid plate to its original position. If you can get it to the right position from its disfigured outward bending state- it won’t come in contact with the transfer case when you accelerate
- In the case of a misaligned drive shaft- getting a worn-out transmission mount into shape will get rid of this rattling noise
- Similarly, in the case of a worn-out engine mount- getting the worn-out engine mount into shape or replacing it will solve the issue
- If the problem still prevails- the noise in the engine is caused by something severe. Therefore, it is better to consult a mechanic to detect and solve the problem
Frequently Asked Question
When your engine has a low oil level, it doesn’t get enough lubrication. Therefore, the friction is increased between its internal components. While it is not the most common reason, a low oil level can sometimes cause a rattling noise from the engine when you press on the accelerator.
This depends on the type of problem that you have with your Chevy Silverado. If the issue is not too severe, and the problem can be fixed by replacing the wheel bearings or tightening the motor mounts, You can fix the issue with the help of a good quality needle nose plier such as the excelta needle nose plier, or with the help of a torque wrench such as Amazon basics 3/8 in drive click torque wrench.
Yes, sometimes if the timing belt has lost its strength, it can gain more movement than necessary. Therefore, when you press on the accelerator the timing chain can sometimes cause a rattling noise. More often, a loose timing chain causes a very loud engine noise when you press on the accelerator. It is very easy to notice.
Some of the other more uncommon reasons why a Chevy Silverado can cause a rattling noise is if there are problems in the ball joints, sway bar links, or the strut or the strut mounts.
Conclusion
Tired of the Chevy Silverado rattling noise when accelerating? Don’t fret, the issue is more common than you think.
Luckily with common issues, there are a lot of fixes. Oftentimes, the rattling noise is caused by misplaced or deformed skid plates, engine mounts, or transmission mounts. Fixing them and getting them into shape will get rid of the rattling noise almost all the time.
But, I do recommend that you still get the truck checked out by a professional mechanic just to be sure that the issue is not too serious. Sometimes the rattling noise can be an indication of a more severe problem with the engine.
