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Comments
*Impala III
*Impala IV
*Impala V
On Impala IV and V there are a good amount amount of posts of owners describing the nature of the problem. Most notably, Kcidcampers who had his Impala weld at least 3 times and at the last try they appeared to have fix his cradle. Its been a few months since his last posts, so I don't know if the repair ever held up.
The 2000 Impala and Monte Carlo Yahoo clubs can also give you some perspective on the problem. Another good place is the old Monte Carlo archives found in the Coupes and Sports cars forum.
If other websites come to memory I'll let you know about them.
GM has excercised extreme secrecy in handling the engine cradle problems. No recalls or TSB currently point to a final solution. I doubt that you'll find an article or publication revealing these problems. I find GM's 'tight lips' policy a bit disturbing, considering that the Impala has been in production since April of 1999 and in almost 2 years, no feasible solution seems to exist at least for owners of earlier production runs.
To get an idea as to how GM handles serious design problems, go to the Chevy Silverado boards. The '99 and '00 Silverado 1500 2WD pickups are infamous for their tendency to vibrate and shake at highway speeds...they have been renamed...'Shakerados'. GM has been buying back these trucks left and right since they simply can't be fixed. Interestingly, GM seem to have quietly fix the problem at the manufacturing level and recent 2001 Silverados no longer shake and vibrate like their earlier breathen.
Check this excellent website out:
http://agmlemon.freeservers.com/
Very interesting stuff to be found there....I wish there was such a resourceful site for the Impala engine cradle as well.
If the 2001 Impalas don't exhibit any cradle troubles we can safely assume that GM did the 'fix' at the manufacturing level, but again, we those that leave the rest of the 2000 owners as well as dealers that are trying to battle the cradle noises day in and day out?
GM has excercised extreme secrecy in handling the engine cradle problems. No recalls or TSB currently point to a final solution. I doubt that you'll find an article or publication revealing these problems. I find GM's 'tight lips' policy a bit disturbing, considering that the Impala has been in production since April of 1999 and in almost 2 years, no feasible solution seems to exist at least for owners of earlier production runs.
To get an idea as to how GM handles serious design problems, go to the Chevy Silverado boards. The '99 and '00 Silverado 1500 2WD pickups are infamous for their tendency to vibrate and shake at highway speeds...they have been renamed...'Shakerados'. GM has been buying back these trucks left and right since they simply can't be fixed. Interestingly, GM seem to have quietly fix the problem at the manufacturing level and recent 2001 Silverados no longer shake and vibrate like their earlier breathen.
Check this excellent website out:
http://agmlemon.freeservers.com/
Very interesting stuff to be found there....I wish there was such a resourceful site for the Impala engine cradle as well.
If the 2001 Impalas don't exhibit any cradle troubles we can safely assume that GM did the 'fix' at the manufacturing level, but again, we those that leave the rest of the 2000 owners as well and dealers that are trying to battle the cradle noises day in and day out?
You say you were a service manager before....what's your insight?
I'm still very happy all around with my Impala...
I really cannot believe that GM would be any less QC competitive and experiment with the general public once again. I do not wish to talk about the Vegas of the world. But, they have done it before and whether perception is reality, their market share has shown the results. If indeed there is a "widespread" cradle defect, they would be well advised to pull a "Tylenol" and get the product back and fix it. But, the fact of the matter is that most Impala owners do not frequent this Forum and would not know a squeek from a groan in the front end. And perhaps that type of ignorance in the general public can be bliss if the problem is not recognized and considered a safety threat. I really do not know what to think at this point, quite frankly.
The Impala has given us problems with the cradle, blower fan motor, ambient light sensor, interior door panel problems, a junk battery in 11 months.
The Silverado has only been to the dealer for the free oil service and a recall for tags on the front brake hoses.
I have experienced vibration in the Silverado once. I figured it was cold tires since I got onto the freeway with in half a mile of work and it was a cold cloudy day. THe shaking disappeared after 2 miles of freeway speeds. It has never happened again.
The Chevrolet dealer has had the car twice but has no idea why it occurs. I believe that they doubt that a problem really exists because they cannot duplicate it. The ignition switch was recently replaced, but it did not help. The dealers test equipment says everything is fine.
The problem occurs when the engine is cold and also occurs after driving the car for about 10 miles, turning it off for 30 minutes, then re starting. The temp gauge is usually about ¼ when I re start. I do not keep returning the vehicle to the dealer. What good would it do?
I have tried using a water remover in the gas tank thinking maybe that was the problem. I have tried many different gasolines to see if this would correct the problem. Nothing has worked.
My wife does not drive this car because of the danger involved in attempting to enter traffic. I have had several near collisions myself because of this. I am now forced to wait for all traffic to clear for a much greater distance than is normally required. People waiting behind me get upset because I do not move when they see me just sitting when I should be moving.
I have read all of the posts on this site. I know that I am not the only one with this problem. However, no one seems to have found a cure. It would certainly be a relief to drive without this worry.
http://calid.gm.com/vci/
Once you type the VIN number of your car, the site will tell you which engine computer (PCM) firmware updates are available for your car. Some of these updates should address some of the problems that you are currently experiencing.
Make a printout of these results and take them to your dealer's service manager. Check and see if they have attempted to 're-flash' the PCM engine management unit with the new firmware updates. Give it a try and see what they tell you.
Good luck.
I have just read a few postings between you and teo - they are better than a soap opera. You guys are good and funny.
LRCobra
I also have trouble with the ABS. When I step on the brakes in a situation where the ABS engage it sounds and feels like I am going over the washboards they cut in the road before stop signs. Again I am being told this is normal. More run around from the dealership. HELP! HELP! I know this can't possibly be normal. Brakes do not sound like this and do not feel like this if they are working normally. I've felt ABS brakes working before and it felt like a gentle pulsing against my foot. The dealer told me the Impala was different. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THESE GUYS! Do any of you live near LaVergne Tennessee and want to whup up on these dudes? Give me some ammunition.
I love this car. It is my very first 'really nice car'. E-Mail me with your best shots I need some help before my warranty runs out.
Susan Welsh
swebco@home.com
Have a great day
Ken
to see if construction is different or if their are more welds ?
If money is an issue, you might look at the Malibu LS. It's not bad for the money, however it doesn't have the Series II. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. I choose the LS for the Series II and the firmer suspension.
Ken
Ken
Still, the Bonneville is a very enjoyable car and according to the latest online edition of Consumer Reports, its first year reliability has been above average (Import territory)and it is part of the vaunted 'Recommended' list. Around here dealers still stock plenty of left over 2000 model Bonnevilles on all trim levels and they have a $2000 factory incentive vs the $750 and $500 rebate available on the 2001's. I haven't heard or read about major problems with the Bonneville, so you can rest assure you have once solid ride for many years to come.
According to Consumer Reports, the Impala has exhibited only 'average' reliability for first year models (I suspect the engine cradle problems have lowered the initial reliability scores) but the car still made it to the 'recommended' list same as the Bonneville. Hopefully, late build 2001 models have the engine cradle and steering shaft problems already debugged, otherwise the Impala is a great car, but GM needs to get the cradle problems solved very soon.
That's very weird that you car is missing the rear center seat belts. Very strange, but the dealer should install it for you free of charge as it is a required safety item. Does the Bonneville SE has a center lap or a lap/shoulder belt combination for the rear middle passenger?
Interesting....
He also said NONE of the 2001 owners (Ls or base) have come back with engine cradle problems.
fyi...
Rosie.
Provided that GM has already found a final solution to this problem, I believe that such 'fix' has already been implemented at the manufacturing level or the assembly line. I figure it is a lot 'easier' to remedy a manufacturing or design problem at the assembly line than trying to go back and repair a car that has already been built with the faulty part or manufacturing process. If my assumption is correct, this could explain GM's silence and reluctance in issuing a general recall for cars built during the 2000 model year production runs. However, 2001 models could well be already free from engine cradle troubles so that will be encouraging enough for me to make the move to a 2001 Impala.
If moving to a 2001 Impala (Or buying a new one for that matter) I think the best bet is to get a 'freshly' built car. Right now that would be an Impala with a 12/00 or 01/01 build date or the VIN number production break point between 250,xxx and 272,xxx.
Based on preliminary research on GMbuypower.com, my dealer holds the newest and 'freshest' '01 Impala LS models in town. Build dates on the new cars range from 11/00 to 01/01.
Once owners of 2001 Impalas get to rack up a good amount of mileage (Somewhere between 10K and 20K) we'll now for sure if the cradle problems have been eliminated from the 2001 year production runs.
My 01/00 built Impala LS hasn't develop the engine cradle noises yet (I have close to 14K miles so I am not out of the woods as to when the cradle will begin to creak)but I am beginning to notice a mild 'creak' sound when backing out of my condo's parking space and turning the wheel to the extreme wheel stops in the morning...oh boy, I just hope GM replaces my car with a new '01. As it stands, my car has been 16 calendar days out of service for the steering shaft problem so in other words according to FLA Lemon law the car is a 'Borderline Lemon'...one more problem and it goes back to its maker.
As far as the steering shaft, so far so good and the car is driving well. Only time will tell if the new part will hold past 10K miles...stay tuned.
The rear seat has shoulder belts for side passengers but the middle is supposed to be lap belt only - once again advantage Impala. I do expect a quick no hassle installation of this missing item.
Ken
I also noticed that the front seat Belts in the Bonneville are mounted to the seat frame themselves (I think they call this the Catcher's Mitt rear end collision protection system)and can't be adjusted for height as oppossed to B-pillar mounted belts as in the Impala.
Have you had any comfort problems with the fixed front seat belts in terms of height??
Both my wife and I are average height and have no shoulder belt height issues. My kids are just over 5 ft and have not complained about the belt yet.
I am beginning to agree the front seats are truly not as good as Impala and the Intrigue GL I just rode in today. Both of those W cars have more height and more supportive cushion - Bonne allows your derierre to sink lower - can put more pressure on the thighs. Haven't had any noticeable discomfort on my hour long commutes but seat is visibly lower than others including Impala even when powered to highest position. Time will tell.
Ken
"Just got back from getting those wheel liners installed (look o.k.) and found that there is a service bulletin for that clunking noise I have and that you might be hearing and feeling in your steering wheel. As soon as I can get it scanned, I'll post it in the Warranty photo section. Bulletin # is 00-08-61-003. Looks like the bulletin is dated 10/23/2000. I found it amusing that the dealer had NO idea about the liner bulletin but had a bulletin for the clunking noise. Hope it helps. I'll post once I get it fixed.
Here is the description: Some customers may comment about a clunk or pop type noise coming from the front of the vehicle. This condition can be duplicated and is most apparent during either a heavy acceleration from a stop or moderate to heavy brake apply at low speeds.
Cause: This condition may be caused by fore/aft movement of the two rear frame/cradle mounts in the frame/cradle assembly.
Correction: Install shim material between the rear mounts and the frame/cradle assembly."
I'll check with my service guy to see if this TSB also applies to the Impala and to which VIN number production breakpoints.
I'll check back in March to see if this forum has moved on to more interesting topics. I'm with Dura, get over it.....
Why don't you create a topic/club of your own? "Happy Impala owners only Part I"
Duraflex also complained about the upgrade stereo system for a few months....thanks to his persistence on the subject the 'By-pass' solution was discovered. Many posters at the time also got annoyed by his dissatisfaction with the radio...then I ask you...what it is the difference on the situations discussed here?
Read the last posts...a TSB that describes the engine cradle problem....that will be a hot topic of conversation until GM fixes these cars accordingly.
When your intermediate steering shaft goes south or the engine cradle pops on every turn, start and stop, you are more than welcome to rejoin this 'boring, whining' topic.
I guess the one that has to get over it, ITS YOU!.
Keep us posted.
What are the noises when you have a bad cradle?
The cradle noises are often described as faint or loud pops when accelerating, coming to a full stop or making tight steering wheel turns at low speeds like when parking or approaching a drive-thru window, etc...
have you had any of those symptoms?
An easy test for peace of mind. ;-)
Models: 2000 Impala/Montecarlo
TSB #00-08-111-004
Date: December 2000
Problem area: Rear wheel lower housing collecting dust and debris.
Solution: Have dealer install new liners in the rear wheel housings to prevent the collection of dust and moisture in the rear wheel cavity.
Labor time: 0.6 Hours
If your car is under warranty, the new liners should be installed free of charge.