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99silverado vibration problem

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  • lawlertlawlert Member Posts: 11
    I have a '99' Silverado Ext Cab 4WD 5.3L V8. Has anyone out there attempted to put 285/R85 tires on theirs without doing a lift kit? I was told I could go no larger than the 275/R75 tires. I would like a little more height. Any ideas. By the way I have not experienced any of the vibrations you are all talking about. Fingers Crossed.
  • wcelbewcelbe Member Posts: 10
    I have just spent a couple hours reading all these posts. Talk about getting paranoid. I ordered a new truck in July. I have a build date of Sept 27th. Dealer told me I should see the truck mid Oct. It sound like I have ordered the truck from hell though. My specs are 2000 GMC SLE, ext cab, 2wd, 4.8, auto, locker rear, firm ride, 255x16 tires. I have already sold my old truck and am driving my daughters escort (UGH) in meantime. Just about now I am feeling a little sick. All I can say is, I will test drive the truck before I pay for it and pray that all these problems will be nonexistant in my truck. Some how the phrase Lotsa Luck comes to mind. Bill
  • wcelbewcelbe Member Posts: 10
    Sorry, also got the 3.42 rear.
  • lincoln5lincoln5 Member Posts: 40
    I think you can ease up on the worrying. From all I have heard and read the firm ride package should help a lot in keeping the vibration problem away. As far as the other rattles, knocks, etc. are concerned, my 99 Sierra had the vibration problem (new tires fixed it) but none of the other stuff. It is now a really solid, good handling truck with no rattles or noises.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Good Question, indeed.
  • chevy4mechevy4me Member Posts: 203
    My truck a 1500 extended cab 5.3l 3.42 locking rear with the firm ride package has only two problems. 1. the launch shudder (1500 rpm vibration in first gear) 2. the clunk every time i go over speed bumps or small dips . oh I forgot the abs brake system is way to sensitive any little bump I hit just before stopping slow speed on dry pavement and it kicks in which makes it feel like I've lost braking power .This makes me think it actualy extends stopping distance. It is a little scary when there is someone right in front of you at the stop.

    What I never had was the 65mph shimmy,windshield popping noise ,rattles of any sort ,no power seat problems,no growl, no pinging, no hard shifting,
    Maybe mine be one of the lucky ones that they can actualy fix . I still like the truck.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    I own a 2000, 1500 ext cab 5.3 SB 3.73 locking rear. My problem is a constant vibration over 20 to 45 then again at 55 to 70. I took the truck back to the dealer with 600 miles and they rebalanced the front tires. The vibrations seemed to have lessened. About a week later I had changed shocks to the Edlebrock IAS which improved the ride but could still feel the vibration. This past week, I noticed two cracks appearing in parallel on both my front tires (Generals). The cracks are in the middle tread and goes completely around. Took them back to the dealer; SM told me that the tires were fine as the cracks were not deep. He also told me that I should rotate the tires as they were showing signs of feathering at 1100 miles. I find it hard to believe that I should be rotating tires every 1100 miles and that the tires are starting to make that road noise which comes with the feathering. I would appreciate any opinions whether the cracks in the tires indicate that they are defective. Also about rotating the tires every 1100 to 1500 miles.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..It has nothing to do with it. it's just Stiffer shocks.

    - Tim
  • jpfltawjpfltaw Member Posts: 43
    Last night ( 9/24 ),just noticed a feathering on my front tires, all ready have an appointment for 9/29 to re-align the front end. Last alignment was 9/9 when the vibration / shakes / rattle fix was made. This will be the 6th tires service.
  • jpfltawjpfltaw Member Posts: 43
    Last night ( 9/24 ),just noticed a feathering on my front tires, all ready have an appointment for 9/29 to re-align the front end. Last alignment was 9/9 when the vibration / shakes / rattle fix was made. This will be the 6th tire service.

    sorry, just caught the typo........
  • jed1894jed1894 Member Posts: 337
    My 2000 model had tire feathering on front right; also had vibration...(Goodyear Wranglers). Dealer replaced all four(4) at 2300 miles. Vibration gone now. Don't know about feathering until their on a while.

    Your tires should be under tire warranty separate from truck warranty. However, they replaced my tires on regular truck warranty. If your tires are feathering at that low mileage, you've got good argument I think. I wouldn't let them get away with it, I didn't. Good luck
  • lis7lis7 Member Posts: 5
    Hello (wcelbe)Bill:

    I don't think you are paranoid at all. I think you are being extremely smart for taking the time to read all these posts. Reading about what all these people have to say has really helped me tremendously and I say "thanks" to all of them for taking the time to post their experiences, beliefs, etc. These people will give you a straight forward answer about certain problems -- things you will NEVER hear from a dealer or service manager.

    Lis7
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    What brand and tire size came with your truck? For myself, the low end vibes was noticed at about 250 miles while the high end vibes came in at 500 miles.
  • obeardenobearden Member Posts: 34
    Mine has Goodyear Wrangler ST's. It seems that the factory made several hundred thousand bad ones-so says the local goodyear guy-but you will see posts where people with General and other tires are having the same problems. My truck is at 36500 miles and has had 15 tires counting the current ones, with five more ordered. I've had hubs replaced, Rear spring bushings replaced and numerous rebalances, etc. The problem-vibration at 65-75-is very illusive. Every time something is done it seems to change somewhat or even to go away but in a day or two it's back. Now they are saying the last set of tires I got are bad-based on manufacture date-and have ordered more. Who knows ?
  • obeardenobearden Member Posts: 34
    When the hubs were done the vibration at 35-45 (it was more like a hop)went away completely. The high speed vibration seemed to improve at that time also. I'm pretty sure there is a combination of problems here-hubs, tires, balancing, wheels, unknown others, which would explain why it's so hard to resolve.

    Mine is better than it has ever been and as long as they are trying and making some kind of progress I don't have a problem. No newly designed vehicle is perfect and I do love everything else about the truck.
  • moudry1moudry1 Member Posts: 61
    MINE CAME STOCK WITH THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX 245/75R16. MAY BE CHANGING THEM OUT SOON FOR NEW WHEELS AND 265/75R16 TIRES, (LES SCHWAB).
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    I was just down at the dealer looking at my truck on the lot. I'm picking it up tomorrow. Anyway I got the 265 tires.
    They look ok, but there's still quite a bit of room. I think 285/75's would be okay. Go to a big tire place (NTB is that nationwide?) and see what they say. To hell with the odometer being off a little - it'll actually extend you warranty a little - hehe
  • bezojrbezojr Member Posts: 11
    Picked up my truck from the dealer tonight, they changed the hubs, bushings and bearing in the front and the shackles and shackle bushings in the rear. Still vibrates, I tried to see if it was just me and maybe I was expecting too much or overly sensitive. I set the cruise @ 60 and drove 5 miles on a nice, smooth, fairly new highway, the wheel shakes in your hand and the whole truck vibrates. same @ 65 and @ 69.....it may be a little more pronounced @ 55. The service manager at the dealer makes it out like i'm a pain in the butt and the truck is fine, but I talked to my salesman and he told me the service manager agreed I had a problem. I will talk to GM tomorrow about the lemon law, having already sent my demand an agreeing, at least on the phone that this last one would be the last attempt. I hope i can find one without the problem because i really love my truck.

    ED
  • moudry1moudry1 Member Posts: 61
    SOME SAID THE 285'S WERE TO BIG AND RUBBED ON THE FRONT. WILL HAVE TO FIND OUT, THOSE 245'S HAVE TO GO. ED WHAT MODEL ARE YOU HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH?
  • twevertstweverts Member Posts: 24
    I know you can find a good one. I took delivery on the 14th of AUG on a 99 LT Z71 5.3L and will roll over the 3K mi within the next day or so. No problems at all and it's truly amazing how smooth it rides. I too love this truck and agree with you about using the lemon law and turning right around and purchasing a new one. Look at it this way, if there was an option you got that you didn't like do away with it. If there are options that you wanted, then get them now. Bonus is that if you get a 2000 now you will have the upgraded hp and torque. :) It could be a lot worse. Best of Luck
    Tony
  • bezojrbezojr Member Posts: 11
    My truck is a 99 Silverado 4.8 auto with 3.42 non-locking rear Ex-cab with Goodyear Wranglers. Did I miss anything? I am getting the impression Chevy doesn't want to deal with this, I am hoping that persistence will pay off. I am now waiting the required 3-5 days that it takes after Chevy escalates your claim. I'm not sure that there is much I would change in the way of options, locking rear end maybe? I'd love the 4th door.
  • jed1894jed1894 Member Posts: 337
    I have a 2000 Chev. with same particulars that you have. I had vibration also, but they replaced Goodyear tires with fresh Goodyear tires. It worked, or at least it has so far. The new tires fixed my vibration problem, but it still doesn't run as smooth as I think it should (based on my last Silverado). However, it's good enought now. My suggestion to you would be have them replace Goodyear tires with another brand (not Generals).


    Good luck
  • chevy4mechevy4me Member Posts: 203
    I've done many of my own brake changes on my trucks but I have a question about my 99. When I was checking to see if I had the b9 hubs I spun the rotor to see if it was true. The faces (where the pads press) were true but there was a very noticeable variation in thickness of the two sides of the rotor as it spun around.This is looking from a top view. This was on the front right side the the front left rotor looked normal. My passenger seat has a little shake at highway speeds and I'm beginning to wonder if there could be any connection or could the rotor have been balanced with it that way?
  • kingfishguskingfishgus Member Posts: 112
    Just picked up my 2000 Silverado, 1500, 4.8, ext cab Limited Slip 3.42, General 255's. Vibration at 40mph and over 60. Pretty bad at 40. Wish I had found this thread earlier. Sounds like the same old problem. About to go get in the loop at the dealer for this fix (when they decide to fix it). Keep the thread alive, this must be a common problem if we're seeing this much just from the folks here at Edmunds site. Any further suggestions welcomed.
  • zigster38zigster38 Member Posts: 117
    ...a domestic vehicle, I read a forum like this and it snaps me back to reality.

    Sad s#@$.
  • cans235cans235 Member Posts: 1
    My 1999 Silverado, 1500, ext cab has Vibration at
    40 mph and above, it gets worst as the speed goes up. I have had it in 4 times already for the same problem but all they do is add or move around wheel weights. Is this something we just have to live with?
  • smgsmg Member Posts: 2
    I am reluctant to post this but I have a '99 3/4 ton that also has a vibration problem. I don't like to add to the paranoia because it is the only 3/4 ton that I have heard of having this problem. Been back to dealer 7 times with no change. Vibration starts at 38 mph and peaks at 43 mph. I have always owned Chevrolet trucks and never had one with these kind of problems. My '87 never went to the shop in the 240,000 miles that I had it. Chevrolet is buying this truck back from me this week. Other problems with this truck is pinging under light throttle and AC on, rust in bed, clunk in steering/front end that is getting worse, knocking sound at cold startup. I really don't want a Ford but my only other option is to buy a 2000 Chevy K3500 w/454 (need some towing power).
  • moudry1moudry1 Member Posts: 61
    What are the specs on your'e 3/4?
  • smgsmg Member Posts: 2
    Mine truck is a 4x4, LWB, Auto, Ext Cab, locking diff, 4.10.

    Forgot to mention that I also have significant launch shudder with this truck.
  • meuse66meuse66 Member Posts: 5
    Will my 99 silverado ls ex.cab 4800 z71 sb went to the shop today.Vibration at 39-41 mph and it fells like its under the drivers side.Going to wait to see what the service manager is going to say tommorrow.I know its not the tires.Been reading in here all week and have not heard anybody complain about firestone tires(goodyear,cooper,general)no firstone.I got firestone P265/75R16 standard on mine.will follow up my truck as soon as I got some answers. Andy
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Sounds like the driveline growl. There is a software fix. Follow the link http://calid.gm.com/vci/
    Firestones are good on mine. No one makes a perfect tire though.
  • meuse66meuse66 Member Posts: 5
    Your info is what I'm going to use at the dealer.Just want to here what the Servive Manager is going to tell me first.Just want to see if this Dealership is up to par or if they are going to give me the run around.Quad your info is helping alot of us out here.This is my first new vehicle.Hope Gm resolves this problem soon.As to the tire companys. Quad Im not knocking the other tire companys.Just wanted to till the other people on here that I havent had any tire problems with the Firestones.Like you said not all tires are perfect.
  • meuse66meuse66 Member Posts: 5
    Will just got back from dealer.Almost got the runaround.The tech person who first looked at it said it was the exchaust.Something with exchaust
    decibles and that was normal.Thats a new one to me.Told service manager if this was normal why didnt it do this from the beginning.Just looked at me like I had two heads.
    He ask for another tech person to go with me and take truck out to drive.O my god this tech person said there is a definite vibration and a gringing sound.
    Into shop we go.Another tech person overheard conversation and cryed out flash tranny.
    I hope this is what said in conversation in #300 drive growl.Have app.next Tue.Hope this works.
    Still love this truck
  • bob259bob259 Member Posts: 280
    Well. my 1999 LT 5.3 EC SB did have a slight vibration that a tire balancing fixed. However, mu more annoying problems was/is a clunk felt in the steering wheel over washboard roads and entering drives. This clunk is quite noticeable and unnerving, however they have found nothing in the steering or suspension that is bad. Tech. tightened some suspension and brake parts and for the time the real bad clunk is gone, but you can still feel it slightly at the same points. I'm going to wait and see, again it was not there when I got it and just got worse. Love the truck, but these little problems sure do get you mad.
  • chevy4mechevy4me Member Posts: 203
    After the dealer changed the leaf springs I have no vibration . The ride seems a little stiffer and the rear of the truck sits higher but I don't mind after having 7 months of the vibration. I put a near capacity load in the bed and tested it thoroughly and so far it's takes off and shifts smoothly. It feels like a new truck !
  • mike38mike38 Member Posts: 15
    Did you have the 60-70Mph vibration or just launch shudder? What exactly does the launch shutter feel/sound like ?

    Thanks
  • mmaskmmask Member Posts: 6
    I also have the problem with the vibration at highway speeds. I have a 2000 Silverado 6/99 production from Indiana plant.
    It had the Wrangler P235/75r16 and
    now has the Wrangler ST with raised white letters.
    My ordeal started out at less than 300 miles on it.
    It had the vibration and I was told that this is normal. HA..Ha..Ha..the passenger seat looks as if it about to fly out. Drink holder as well.
    They have rebalanced the wheels 5 times, replaced the wheels once, replaced the hubs and replaced the tires as well as other things over five different times at the Dealer.
    This is happening at speeds ranging from 60 to 75 MPH and seems worse on smooth pavement, the rougher roads seem to quell the vibrations.
    Braking and changing lanes harshly also seems to help control the vibration. I have had (2) occurances where the slightest bump in the road caused the steering wheel to shake so bad that I had to quickly brake and slow to 50mph to stop the vibrations, afraid of loosing control of the truck. I too would like to have the dealership
    re-purchase my vehicle.
    I would like to thank everyone who posts here, because I thought that I would not find anyone else with this problem for evidence in Lemon court or BBB.
    Please keep up the posts so that we may all get this corrected.
  • jpfltawjpfltaw Member Posts: 43
    SAME KIND OF VIOLENT VIBRATIONS ON MY 99 SILVERADO LS 5.3 / ON THE FIRST DAY ( 6/1 ) WITH ONLY 2 MILES ON THE ODO, ALMOST LOST CONTROL AT 65 MPH ON AN ELAVATED SECTION OF I-10. VIBRATION WAS SO BAD THE GROUND WIRE ON THE ALERNATOR CAME LOOS THE FIRST WEEK, THE RT FRONT SHOCK CAME LOOSE, THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED, THE WHEEL WEIGHTS FELL OFF, THE PASS. SEAT MOTOR STARTED GRINDING. THE FIRST THING THEY DID WAS RE-BALANCE THE TIRES WITH NO SUCCESS. CHANGE TIRES 5 TIMES DID NOT HELP. THEN CHANGED THE REAR SPRINGS AND SHACKLES. THIS STOP THE VERY BAD VIBRATIONS BUT NOW THE REAR SITS UP HIGHER AND THE TRUCK BOUNCES MORE ON THE HWY.

    I JUST CAME BACK FROM THE DEALER, THUR 10/7, AFTER LEAVING THE TRUCK ON TUE. 10/5, FOR THE FRONT TIRE S FEATHERING AND CROOKED STEERING WHEEL, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IN SPEC. NO WORK WAS DONE. A COMPLETE WASTE OF MY TIME.


    SEWELL CHEVROLET( NEW ORLEANS ), SUCKS......


    SO TOMORROW I AM GOING TO ORDER THE MAGNETIC LEMON SIGNS
  • jpfltawjpfltaw Member Posts: 43
    SAME KIND OF VIOLENT VIBRATIONS ON MY 99 SILVERADO LS 5.3 / ON THE FIRST DAY ( 6/1 ) WITH ONLY 2 MILES ON THE ODO, ALMOST LOST CONTROL AT 65 MPH ON AN ELAVATED SECTION OF I-10. VIBRATION WAS SO BAD THE GROUND WIRE ON THE ALERNATOR CAME LOOSE THE FIRST WEEK, THE RT FRONT SHOCK CAME LOOSE, THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED, THE WHEEL WEIGHTS FELL OFF, THE PASS. SEAT MOTOR STARTED GRINDING. THE FIRST THING THEY DID WAS RE-BALANCE THE TIRES WITH NO SUCCESS. CHANGE TIRES 5 TIMES DID NOT HELP. THEN CHANGED THE REAR SPRINGS AND SHACKLES. THIS STOP THE VERY BAD VIBRATIONS BUT NOW THE REAR SITS UP HIGHER AND THE TRUCK BOUNCES MORE ON THE HWY.

    I JUST CAME BACK FROM THE DEALER, THUR 10/7, AFTER LEAVING THE TRUCK ON TUE. 10/5, FOR THE FRONT TIRES FEATHERING AND CROOKED STEERING WHEEL,NAND WINSHIELD MOULDING RATTLE, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IN SPEC. AND NO RATTLES WERE HEARD. NO WORK WAS DONE. A COMPLETE WASTE OF MY TIME.


    SEWELL CHEVROLET( NEW ORLEANS ), SUCKS......


    SO TOMORROW I AM GOING TO ORDER THE MAGNETIC LEMON SIGNS AND PLASTER THEM ON BOTH DOORS AND THE TAIL, LATER I WILL HAVE A 4x8 PIECE OF PLYWOOD PAINTED WITH " THIS CHEVY LEMON COMES FROM SEWELL "
  • lew5lew5 Member Posts: 1
    does any one know where all the service bulletin's might be found on the web? they are not at www.alldata.com yet. have 5.3,3.42,ec,sb with problems. it is in dealer now has been there for 2 weeks. please post tsb location here if known
    thanks lew
  • mmaskmmask Member Posts: 6
    I forgot to say that the vibration on my truck seems to have lessened now that the temperatures are below 90 and 100 degrees here in Texas.
    But They are still enough to make you sick to your stomach on a long stretch of road.
    Just wanted to add that.
    I have been in contact with my dealer and it's General Manager, I believe that they should be in the front of my fight for repurchase, because it has been since day one, I have had these problems.
    I will keep you posted.
    PS..how do I know if I have a "Locking" Diff.
  • mmaskmmask Member Posts: 6
    Service Manager just called and said they (GM/GM REP) were looking into a fix involving the bushings on the Rack and Pinion, something about it is a round hole and the bushings are egg shaped, they are doing some tests to see if putting dowels in to fill the gap, or something like that.?????? Has anyone else heard this ?
  • wcelbewcelbe Member Posts: 10
    I can tell you are angry by the caps. I must also tell you I am not a lawyer. I read your post fully and can appreciate your fustration, but I think I would try another dealer and have the file opened for the start of processing for the lemon law. There was a lady that bought a car from a local dealer in my area about 10 years ago. She did the same thing you are thinking about but she also parked her car in front of the dealer on weekends. The dealer sued her for defermation of character. By the way they let her sit out there for about a month also tried talking with her and possibly buying back the car, but she wanted cost of car plus tax,title and all other expenses she incurred during the time she had the car. Bottom line is the dealer won. She got a 100k judgment and still stuck with the car.
    My advise, Your first beef is with GM for not building your truck right in the first place. Next take a deep breath and try another dealer. Like the saying, Don't cut your nose off to spite your face. Bill
  • weimerdweimerd Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 Silverado extended cab w/ 5.3L, 3.42 gears ,Z85 firm ride suspension, limited slip diff. and 255 Generals built in June 99 and I most
    definitely have the vibration between 15 - 20 mph. Also at 36 mph. It gets
    progressively worse when pulling a load. The heavier the load the worse it
    gets. If you don't think you have it or think it's not bad enough to complain about it, try pulling a 22' boat that weighs 4500 lbs.I have a buddy that has a 2000, same model w/ smooth ride suspension, and he has it also, especially when towing. (Isn't that what a truck is for?) Also
    have a friend who has a 99 GMC built in early 99 and his is worse than mine.
    GM has admitted that they KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. My dealer told me recently
    that the latest fix is to replace the rear leaf springs. It seems that they
    are too weak which causes the pinion angle to change too much under
    acceleration. Go to your dealer and demand that they fix it. Also call GM
    and complain. THIS IS NOT NORMAL VIBRATION!!! . I am still waiting on the
    springs as this is a recent fix and parts have not been delivered yet. I
    will post the results after they are installed. BTW the dealer also is
    ordering springs for my buddies 2000.
  • ovalleyovalley Member Posts: 135
    Just so happens I was looking underneath the front end of my GMC 2wd ext cab last night and noticed the rack bushings seemed to have quite a bit of play in them. The bolts holding it on were tight, but the bushings seemed very loose to me. I have noticed a steering wheel vibration that sort of comes and goes at highway speeds, espically when going over bumps. Sounds like it could be something here.
  • cr3cr3 Member Posts: 42
    was wondering were the vibrating trucks are built.if you have one post origin and build date [on drivers side door jam]maybe we can link this to a certen factory.also include drive train specs.hopefully we can find the source.is it assembly,material,desighn?
  • alexleebralexleebr Member Posts: 4
    After reading the numerous complaints on the vibration on the 2000 Siverado's, I noticed that most if not all of the complaints deal with the 5.3 V8 engine. I was wondering if the vibration problem is present in the V6 models as well.
  • cr3cr3 Member Posts: 42
    the most common vibraters are 2wd, 342 rear,rack & pinion.dont think motor matters.2 peice drive shaft seem to have it worst of problems.rebalance of drive train seems to help about 50% of problems.my 5.3 is smooth as silk.i think if you by one of these trucks you should buy off the lot and do a long test drive at varing speeds,
  • kingfishguskingfishgus Member Posts: 112
    Took truck in for vibration with 300 miles on odometer. Dealer turned me away and said that Chevrolet would not authorise work on any vibration or alignment problems till truck has between 500 and 7500 miles on it. Said it had to "settle in". Sounds funny to me, but who knows, the way Chevy is treating us make it seem possible. Didn't get on them much, but thought about it. I'll just save it in my file, and bring it out later if necessary (been learning from females).
  • cr3cr3 Member Posts: 42
    whats your build date & asembly plant ? how about specs on truck. thanks
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