The dealer should be able to do alignment regardless of the wheel size. I've seen Tahoes with 20" rims at the dealers. Don't tell me they can't perform alignment on vehicles they sell with 20" rims.
Since your car has 18" rims, the alignment is definitely out of factory spec (thus your steering wheel is 5 degree off). This is one disadvantage of larger size wheels. When I had my Accord with 17" wheels, I had to get alignment about every 9 months or so.
If you're planning on keeping your 18" wheels, I recommend you take it to wheel specialist that sells fancy wheels as their primary business. They know what they're talking about. In addition, I recommend purchasing liftetime alignment warranty from a reputable wheel specialist. In the long run, it's worth it.
Some dealers that haven't updated thier equipment are still using alignment machines that attach to the lip for the weights on the outside of the rim. After market rims don't have this lip.
I wish I didn't buy "another" Impala last August. How's that for a Wish? Teo... Regarding your longer post, I have been Silent about my '01 Impala for a few weeks, I am taking it to the Selling Dealer this Friday, I am going to look around the new Trucks while I am there,Not really wanting to buy anything right now and I really do not want another GM,(My Wife and I have had a '96 Monte Carlo,'99 Cavalier,'94 Grand Am and 2 Impala's in the last 5 years) My wife and I have come to the conclusion that I am going to get rid of my 2000 LS just before the Warranty runs out,12/15/02 I have another year or 14K miles, so I hope next year is better than this year as far as reliability, The Jury is still out on our '01, will see what the selling dealer says. I am tiring of all these wasted half days at the dealership(s), what a drag. Don
Sorry to hear you are having those problems. Especially after your Cavalier fiasco. I would have the Chevy rep come down to your dealership and talk with him. You are contemplating buying yet another Chevy from this dealership and you're concerns are not being addressed by either Chevy or the dealership. I would consider another manufacturer if that is the case.
When i was having all those problems with my intrigue, i was hot for another one due to the incentives that GM was offering at the time. I could have bought a $26,000 GL for about $20,000. Then i thought to myself, "why should i reward Oldsmobile and this dealership for the shoddy way i have been treated.
I bought the impala and have been very happy with it. There is no other car out there that offers as much for the money as the impala.
Anyway, I wouldn't even consider buying another one until they fix your car. Then unload it.
It appears to be that the engine cradle on my sister's new Impala has crapped out as well. She just called me over her cell about an hour ago to tell me that the car all of a sudden is making severe "crunching" noises. The noises became apparent when the car first went over a regular speed bump (Entering a shopping mall parking lot)and from then on the car has been making severe "Metallic" noises from the front end. I asked her if the front end makes noises when turning the wheel left to right to left and she said "Yes". I have not seen the car today or driven it to confirm the problem or the severity of the noises but for all accounts (Based on Don's story)it seems that her cradle suddenly "Failed". The car is in the dealer being checked as we speak. She is in the dealer with my little nephew and mom waiting to see what's has gone wrong with the car. I already spoke over the phone with the service advisor and gave him a heads up on this issue. We all are awaiting for the news, but we are all bracing for the worst (Engine cradle).
Her car has only 1,500 miles on the clock and until just about 2 hours ago, the car had been perfect, noise free. She bought the car at a different dealership from mine (Dang it!)so I have a feeling things will be more difficult to deal with, but regardless we'll get to the bottom of this problem. This new cradle ocurrence seems to be sudden and more severe than the way the problem has manifested on the 2000 model year cars.
My sister's Impala is a 3.4L base sedan model (Navy Blue)with just 1500 miles (2 months old) and with a build date of 6/01, the same exact build date of Don's Impala.
My LS has 8K troublefree and quiet miles as of today. I am beginning to wonder if there is a severe cradle problem with cars built during June 2001. Mine has a build date of 4/2001 and has been very good so far.
We are puzzled....needless to say.
Are there any other 2001 Impala owners with cars built during 6/01????
Just talked to Frank at policevehicle.com. They sold 600+ Police impalas last year. He says the aluminum cradle originated in the police model(tenessee had the 1st) and was adopted by the consumer platform early on based on its "success". How this jives with the 2000 brochure showing aluminum I'm not sure. Usually the brochure is out before cars are produced. Maybe he is mistaken but he seemed pretty confident that at least all police models had aluminum. Didn't someone post otherwise, complete with pix, back in 2000? Says there were early weld problems but those are gone now. No reports of ISS issues.
I actually heard the Crunching on our first trip to PA after buying the car, it must have had little over 400-500 miles on it,I just didn't think it was, what it was////and the Clunk while turning left started around 2800 miles on our second trip. Join the Club. They will blow it off I suspect, and tell your sister they are baffled.
bz4....
Nah.... I am just going to look around to waste some time while waiting, I certainly do want another GM car or truck, the cars are getting crappier looking and the only one I like is the Impala, My Wife wanted a loaded Alero. I got her liking the bigger Impala... I kinda like(d) the Grand Prix GT, But have you seen the crazy "Waffle Iron" rims they put on them now? I prefer the polished 5 spoked ones, I am thinking Ext-Cab Toyota Tundra or F150 with a V8. But that is a year off. the prices of those new are pretty high, I do like the Tundra TRD 4x4 w/V8. Nice looking mid-size pickup. Or the F-150 Ext Cab if equipped right. ie wheels and paint etc....
My 2000 Ls is quiet for the moment, I was just saying that I will not have this car one day after the warranty runs out, Too many nice vehicles out there to keep this one, I had originaly planned to keep it for a long, long time, I financed it for 48 months, but it will go before 36, My other 2001 Impala is another story, We like it, but the noises and clunks are turning us off to it FAST! That with the "We have no Cure" really burns me.
Teo... Now that the noises on a 2001 have possibly hit home, you can stop thinking that my 2001 Impala is "One in a Million".. I kept saying I was just telling everyone what I was told, some chose to believe me and some may have thought I was Nuts, well I am not "Nuts" and I have a Blue '01 Impala to prove it. I hope they can shed some light on the situation, I will post my Latest findings on Friday afternoon, Don
TEO: my Carmine red Impala LS was built June 5, 01. 2400 miles (3800 km) no cradle noises. Solid at this time. Are you going to keep a record of these last cars built for 2001? If a list can be compiled of all those from across the country and (Canada) that have indicated cradle problems on this forum then submit this to GM or Chevrolet to hurry them up in fixing this problem for good!! Its fine to get it repaired or replaced under warranty but many Impala owners are reaching or passing 36000 miles everyday. I hate to guess what the cost plus labour is to replace a cradle. Anyone know?
Ok, guys. I talked to the Service advisor and they found a broken "Engine Mount Strut" in my sister's car. I remember Duraflex having a similar part replaced..?
Anyway, it was described to me as a rubber part. Why it broke? They couldn't tell but they say that the "Crunching" noises are comming from that broken mount. The part has already been ordered and it will arrive at the dealer tomorrow around lunch time. The car will be ready towards the end of the day.
He says that the mechanics checked the ISS, Suspension, Struts, Steering rack and engine cradle and they all check fine. He kept assuring me that the noise was not coming from the cradle.
I am still skiptical about this diagnostic, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt until tomorrow afternoon. I will come down with my sister to pick up the car. If the noises are gone then the engine mount was to blame, but if it doesn't.....
We'll keep our fingers crossed. My sister truly loves her car. She had to drive the Accord today and she hates it...she doesn't want to comeback to the Accord.
We shall see folks.
As for now, the cradle seems to be "Free and Clear".
The police guy is wrong about the cradle. The impala had the aluminum cradle from the start. Wonder why Chevy doesn't just put in the one that is on the other wbodies?
Because the Impala was touted to be the first GM car with a larger application of aluminum material on a critical area (Engine Cradle). This was big news back in 1999 around the Aluminum industry circles, when GM subcontracted Reynolds Aluminum to manufacture the cradles.
Aluminum has many advantages over regular steel, such as strength, durability, reduced weight, etc but it also is a pain to reweld properly or make any repair or modifications to it. Also aluminum contracts and expands when temperature changes.
GM doesn't use the aluminum cradle in other W-bodies because they are all older than the Impala and their original spec called for a regular steel cradle. The Impala is the newest of the W-body cars.
That would be my question too. Do other W-bodies have the same cradle problems? If not, what is the difference? Material? Design? Maufacturer's Plant? Batch Number? Date of Manufacture?
Again, the only W-body that has an all aluminum engine cradle is the Impala/Montecarlo. All other W-body cars (Which were last redesign in the 1997-98 model year) use Steel cradles.
The real question is....why some Impala/Montecarlos exhibit the cradle problem and others rack up 80,000 miles and never have it?
To establish that kind of consistency, we need a REAL GM person here that can provide those answers which is unlikely as I have never ever seen anyone from GM post in this forum for the past 2 years.
Is it any wonder? Did you ever see Michael Moore try to track down Roger Smith in "Roger and Me". It ain't easy to make contact with important GM folks. They're probably out playing golf with their bankers.
Hmmmmmm, Interesting....I will add that scenerio to my list when I go on Friday...Engine Mount Broken...I am going to call the Service Director at the Dealer I went to last week and ask if they checked the motor and/or Cradle mounts, I seem to remember that they at first thought it was a Strut Plate not being aligned,causing the thump while turning... then they checked all other things and heard the noise when they used a pry bar to shift the Cradle....that was the Metallic Crunching glass smashing sound they heard..so I am 0 for 2 on noises so far... maybe I have a Broken Mount too,,, never know? Don
Don, did they check for that when you bought your car in the last time they looked at it?
I was wondering if they looked at the engine mounts or immediately jumped to the conclusion that the cradle was the culprit. I know that they checked your ISS and steering rack, but I dunno they went over these mounts.
Remember that you and my sister have the same exact car built on the same month...hmmmmmm
I don't know; however, if when the engine mount brakes, the vibration tends to resonate more in the cradle assembly...that's a good question and I hope to get an answer about it tomorrow.
I don't believe it's available on DVD. However, I've seen it in something called "VHS". These "VHS" things are apparently similar to 8-track tapes in terms of quality. But, I believe they still rent them at a place called "Blockbuster". Unfortunately, this can't be done online. Wait! You could probably still buy it online! Yes! Amazon for $13.99 or used at Half.com for $7.50.
He said it is common that the Struts and the strut plates are not properly aligned at the factory causing a Binding that eventually pops when the wheels are turned, that hs "NOT" been the case with either of my Impala's or my wifes Z24...I wish it were that simple! ha ha He said all they do is align them and replace the strut plate and problem solved...why can't it be that simple? Don
Groovy! I'll pop in some Black Sabbath or Iron Butterfly. Inagodadavida, Baby!
After watching Roger and Me, check out "The Big One", also by Michael Moore. Makes you wonder why Nike's cost $125, when they're made by Southeast Asian children earning pennies a day.
At least our Chevy's are made in the good ole USA! What? Oh. Nevermind.
Ok, Just got home from a trip to the dealership. I got someone who could hear, to listen to my whistling blower motor, but the service manager says, hey I can put one in , but there might be rattles and snaps coming from your dashboard afterward. Terrific...I also told them about the "looseness" in the front end. The service writer said he knew just what it was, something tells me he's replaced more than just one of these. When I asked him what it might be he said he thought it might be in "the steering collum", Yeah after I told him that that was where the looseness was coming from... Genius.
Then I mentioned the clicking noise I heard on the top of the engine in back near the firewall. I hear it on start up in the morning, just the last two days though after the oil change from this weekend. Service manager says that every GM car has Piston rattle when it gets cold, since it doesn't get cold that often down here I may not have to worry about it, though none of my other GM cars had this problem...again, he said he would replace all the pistons with new ones if that's what I wanted but other problems could come up if this was done. I'm not liking the sound of any of this. So, does anyone else get piston rattle on cold mornings? How about our Canadian friends aye?
I hope when they give you bogus explanations like "all gm cars do this" (when you own others that contradict this), you knock down their logic. I think some of the service people are just looking for something to say to placate customers and/or reove any resposibility to fix. I especially love that earlier post that a tech said about the cradle: It's aluminum..it's going to make noises. Yeah? Well if that's part of the design, why don't they do that on the lot? Or are the quiet ones out of spec? Which is it buddy? Just a blanket CYA phrase: Oh yeah, that's because(insert broad bogus generalization here).
364,419 is your relatives Impala...My 2001 Impala Built 6/00 has the following last 6 digits......373,663 so they are about 9,000 digits apart, mine being more recent. How Many cars is that???? 9,000? Don
I checked with netflix where I get all my DVD rentals and they don't have it listed. I guess I'll have to check out Blockbuster for a vhs copy. What year did that movie come out?
So far my wifes 01 hasn't had the cradle problem after 15K miles so far. But the interior rattles are really starting to mount up. I haven't got around to checking the build date, but it was delivered in early June.
Last week we were traveling on I79 leaving Pittsburgh and we hit an orange plastic cone that was in the middle of highway. I didn't see it until it was to late to do anything but run it over. I hit it with the drivers side front tire. Made a nasty noise but I didn't think to much of it. We stopped an hour later for a break and I got out and looked for any damage. That @#$% cone tore up the quarter panel like is was paper. Had the dealer look at it and it's going to be $650 for the repair. Unbelievable, all from a small plastic cone. Oh well, what can you do.
It was filmed in 1988. It shows the "Then" Car of the year for 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix sitting in the Lobby of GM headquarters when he tries to get on the elevator to see Roer Smith, I like this movie for the documentry style. Good Movie. Also they were promoting "Buick City" or something that is now long gone...Filmed in Flint Michigan, Home of "Bob Eubanks" aka "Newlywed Game" Don
We should get NHTSA involved with this engine cradle, ISS thing. Get a recall done to make GM completely redesign the ISS and engine cradle. That way future owner's of impala's will be protected and the redesigned parts will be in the pipeline.
"We should get NHTSA involved with this engine cradle, ISS thing. Get a recall done to make GM completely redesign the ISS and engine cradle. That way future owner's of impala's will be protected and the redesigned parts will be in the pipeline"
Yep, I did submit the NHTSA problem tracking form about a year ago when I had problems with the 2000 LS. I gather that they haven't had enough responses to open up an investigation...typical government bureocracy...
During Chicago winters, I've noticed a lot of cars that make a little noise on the initial cold start. Not piston slap (never heard that one before), but instead a little lifter/valve noise. Heard it many times in the parking garage after work. I'm talking when the temp is below freezing. The oil is too thick to get pumped up when the car starts so quickly.
Anyway, I haven't experienced the noise until it drops closer to zero. To eliminate the noise and associated wear, I converted our cars to Mobil1 synthetic 5w-30. The owners manual states that 5-30 can be used if the expected temp is < 60 degrees.
We've only had a few cold days so far, but when it was 20 the other morning, there was no noise and the car cranked over like a summer day..... generally, it would crank slower with dino oil. Give it a try for your next change.
Don't feel bad. There is still a TSB for Impala transmissions with late 1-2 shifting and bucking symptoms. It seems the solenoid gets stuck, I believe when the engine/transmission is cold.
Why would they get involved with the cradle issue? I don't think it's a safety hazardous issue. Has anyone "died" because the cradle makes "clunk" sound.
I doubt if NHTSA will even consider a non safety issue like the cradle. Our forum indicates a few cradles but not enough to form a basis for a recall. Even if a cradle did fail and cause an accident, an investigation would have to show the likelihood of continued problem to form a basis for a recall. NHTSA has enough people to investigate, just nothing to show the need for a recall. Besides they are busy with F... Enjoy the ride.
OK, my sister's car is ready. It turned out to be a bad rubber bushing insert in the right side engine mount. As soon as I get a copy of the repair invoice, I will post the part description and part number. car is tight as a drum and quiet once again.
Comments
Since your car has 18" rims, the alignment is definitely out of factory spec (thus your steering wheel is 5 degree off). This is one disadvantage of larger size wheels. When I had my Accord with 17" wheels, I had to get alignment about every 9 months or so.
If you're planning on keeping your 18" wheels, I recommend you take it to wheel specialist that sells fancy wheels as their primary business. They know what they're talking about. In addition, I recommend purchasing liftetime alignment warranty from a reputable wheel specialist. In the long run, it's worth it.
I would have the Chevy rep come down to your dealership and talk with him. You are contemplating buying yet another Chevy from this dealership and you're concerns are not being addressed by either Chevy or the dealership.
I would consider another manufacturer if that is the case.
When i was having all those problems with my intrigue, i was hot for another one due to the incentives that GM was offering at the time. I could have bought a $26,000 GL for about $20,000.
Then i thought to myself, "why should i reward Oldsmobile and this dealership for the shoddy way i have been treated.
I bought the impala and have been very happy with it. There is no other car out there that offers as much for the money as the impala.
Anyway, I wouldn't even consider buying another one until they fix your car. Then unload it.
Her car has only 1,500 miles on the clock and until just about 2 hours ago, the car had been perfect, noise free. She bought the car at a different dealership from mine (Dang it!)so I have a feeling things will be more difficult to deal with, but regardless we'll get to the bottom of this problem. This new cradle ocurrence seems to be sudden and more severe than the way the problem has manifested on the 2000 model year cars.
My sister's Impala is a 3.4L base sedan model (Navy Blue)with just 1500 miles (2 months old) and with a build date of 6/01, the same exact build date of Don's Impala.
My LS has 8K troublefree and quiet miles as of today. I am beginning to wonder if there is a severe cradle problem with cars built during June 2001. Mine has a build date of 4/2001 and has been very good so far.
We are puzzled....needless to say.
Are there any other 2001 Impala owners with cars built during 6/01????
Will keep everyone posted.
He says the aluminum cradle originated in the police model(tenessee had the 1st) and was adopted by the consumer platform early on based on its "success". How this jives with the 2000 brochure showing aluminum I'm not sure. Usually the brochure is out before cars are produced. Maybe he is mistaken but he seemed pretty confident that at least all police models had aluminum. Didn't someone post otherwise, complete with pix, back in 2000? Says there were early weld problems but those are gone now. No reports of ISS issues.
bz4....
Nah.... I am just going to look around to waste some time while waiting, I certainly do want another GM car or truck, the cars are getting crappier looking and the only one I like is the Impala, My Wife wanted a loaded Alero. I got her liking the bigger Impala... I kinda like(d) the Grand Prix GT, But have you seen the crazy "Waffle Iron" rims they put on them now? I prefer the polished 5 spoked ones, I am thinking Ext-Cab Toyota Tundra or F150 with a V8. But that is a year off. the prices of those new are pretty high, I do like the Tundra TRD 4x4 w/V8. Nice looking mid-size pickup. Or the F-150 Ext Cab if equipped right. ie wheels and paint etc....
Teo... Now that the noises on a 2001 have possibly hit home, you can stop thinking that my 2001 Impala is "One in a Million".. I kept saying I was just telling everyone what I was told, some chose to believe me and some may have thought I was Nuts, well I am not "Nuts" and I have a Blue '01 Impala to prove it. I hope they can shed some light on the situation, I will post my Latest findings on Friday afternoon, Don
If a list can be compiled of all those from across the country and (Canada) that have indicated cradle problems on this forum then submit this to GM or Chevrolet to hurry them up in fixing this problem for good!! Its fine to get it repaired or replaced under warranty but many Impala owners are reaching or passing 36000 miles everyday. I hate to guess what the cost plus labour is to replace a cradle. Anyone know?
John
Anyway, it was described to me as a rubber part. Why it broke? They couldn't tell but they say that the "Crunching" noises are comming from that broken mount. The part has already been ordered and it will arrive at the dealer tomorrow around lunch time. The car will be ready towards the end of the day.
He says that the mechanics checked the ISS, Suspension, Struts, Steering rack and engine cradle and they all check fine. He kept assuring me that the noise was not coming from the cradle.
I am still skiptical about this diagnostic, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt until tomorrow afternoon. I will come down with my sister to pick up the car. If the noises are gone then the engine mount was to blame, but if it doesn't.....
We'll keep our fingers crossed. My sister truly loves her car. She had to drive the Accord today and she hates it...she doesn't want to comeback to the Accord.
We shall see folks.
As for now, the cradle seems to be "Free and Clear".
Aluminum has many advantages over regular steel, such as strength, durability, reduced weight, etc but it also is a pain to reweld properly or make any repair or modifications to it. Also aluminum contracts and expands when temperature changes.
GM doesn't use the aluminum cradle in other W-bodies because they are all older than the Impala and their original spec called for a regular steel cradle. The Impala is the newest of the W-body cars.
The real question is....why some Impala/Montecarlos exhibit the cradle problem and others rack up 80,000 miles and never have it?
To establish that kind of consistency, we need a REAL GM person here that can provide those answers which is unlikely as I have never ever seen anyone from GM post in this forum for the past 2 years.
But yes, that's the sad reality of greedy Corporate America..
I was wondering if they looked at the engine mounts or immediately jumped to the conclusion that the cradle was the culprit. I know that they checked your ISS and steering rack, but I dunno they went over these mounts.
Remember that you and my sister have the same exact car built on the same month...hmmmmmm
I don't know; however, if when the engine mount brakes, the vibration tends to resonate more in the cradle assembly...that's a good question and I hope to get an answer about it tomorrow.
Wait! You could probably still buy it online! Yes! Amazon for $13.99 or used at Half.com for $7.50.
Imagine fitting an 8-track in the Impala...groovy man!
364,419 (Build date 6/01)
What are yours? are both cars close enough in the assembly line sequence?
After watching Roger and Me, check out "The Big One", also by Michael Moore. Makes you wonder why Nike's cost $125, when they're made by Southeast Asian children earning pennies a day.
At least our Chevy's are made in the good ole USA! What? Oh. Nevermind.
Then I mentioned the clicking noise I heard on the top of the engine in back near the firewall. I hear it on start up in the morning, just the last two days though after the oil change from this weekend. Service manager says that every GM car has Piston rattle when it gets cold, since it doesn't get cold that often down here I may not have to worry about it, though none of my other GM cars had this problem...again, he said he would replace all the pistons with new ones if that's what I wanted but other problems could come up if this was done. I'm not liking the sound of any of this. So, does anyone else get piston rattle on cold mornings? How about our Canadian friends aye?
I especially love that earlier post that a tech said about the cradle: It's aluminum..it's going to make noises.
Yeah? Well if that's part of the design, why don't they do that on the lot? Or are the quiet ones out of spec? Which is it buddy?
Just a blanket CYA phrase: Oh yeah, that's because(insert broad bogus generalization here).
http://www.allpar.com/eek/enginemounts.html
Those engine mounts seem to cause "Cradle Like" noises.
(This applies to the Impala)
(This applies to the Impala)
So far my wifes 01 hasn't had the cradle problem after 15K miles so far. But the interior rattles are really starting to mount up. I haven't got around to checking the build date, but it was delivered in early June.
Last week we were traveling on I79 leaving Pittsburgh and we hit an orange plastic cone that was in the middle of highway. I didn't see it until it was to late to do anything but run it over. I hit it with the drivers side front tire. Made a nasty noise but I didn't think to much of it. We stopped an hour later for a break and I got out and looked for any damage. That @#$% cone tore up the quarter panel like is was paper. Had the dealer look at it and it's going to be $650 for the repair. Unbelievable, all from a small plastic cone. Oh well, what can you do.
Sorry teo, it applies to RWD vehicles.
The Impala has the 4 "T" 65E transaxle. That's 4T65E not 4L65E. T is for "transverse".
I've worked on transmissions since 1974......... kinda in a rut I guess. LOL
Tony
Yep, I did submit the NHTSA problem tracking form about a year ago when I had problems with the 2000 LS. I gather that they haven't had enough responses to open up an investigation...typical government bureocracy...
Anyway, I haven't experienced the noise until it drops closer to zero. To eliminate the noise and associated wear, I converted our cars to Mobil1 synthetic 5w-30. The owners manual states that 5-30 can be used if the expected temp is < 60 degrees.
We've only had a few cold days so far, but when it was 20 the other morning, there was no noise and the car cranked over like a summer day..... generally, it would crank slower with dino oil. Give it a try for your next change.
We'll keep an eye on it.