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Comments
No vibrations yet, 17,400 miles. Have not even balanced wheels, but have rotated once without balancing. Still great!
I've been tracking the problems you have all been listing for about 7 months. You all have been reporting the same problems over and over again. There are five basic problems since the Silverado/Sierra line started and some new developments in the last few months. These problems have been reported by both Chevy and GMC owners.
1) Launch stutter- loud bang and/or lurching, then bed chatter felt when starting at a light or stop that goes away after a short distance. Reportedly caused by excessive torque lifting the right rear wheel off the road then dropping it back down. The change in drive line angle causes the u-joint to bind and unbind until the inertia of the vehicle allows the suspension to return to normal position. FIXES to date- replace rear springs, rebend rear springs, stiffen rear springs, add another leaf to rear springs. Seems to work most of the time but not in all cases.
2) Low speed shimmy in front end- Caused by a number of things- Bad tires, wrong hubs B8 instead of the required B9, possibly the pressure sensitive steering mechanism. Fixes to date- rotate tires, realign tires, rebalance tires, replace tires, replace hubs-races-bearings, adjust steering preload (not an official fix but does work according to scraw in OK). Replacing the tires works for about 200 miles. All other fixes except adjusting the preload and replacing the hubs DO NOT WORK but will be tried before you ever see a new part (part of the procedure).
3) Low speed vibration (30-45 mph)- caused by a bad program for auto trans owners. GM will flash your chip to update shift points. This appears to solve the problem in MOST but not all cases.
4) High Speed vibration (60-70 mph)- This problem seems limited to any 2wd design Silverado/Sierra that has a 3.42 diff. Every engine trans combo and every body design reg, ext cab SB & LB have this problem. 4wd models with 3.42 do not report this as a fleet problem. cause unknown, it is suspected to be a drive line problem dealing with balance of the drive shaft and the angles of the u-joints. The problem is a by product of harmonic resonance in the drive line that reaches destructive amplitude at highway speed (fancy way of saying you can feel and see it at 60-70 mph). This problem manifests itself as a visible bed vibration, then a bed and cab vibration (usually being reported as a vibrating seat), then a bed, cab, and violent shake that makes the truck unsafe to drive. NO solution to this problem has been found and has not been officially recognized by GM as a "problem". Fixes attempted involve anything and everything you can do to a tire and wheel (DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM). Replacing the bushings between body and frame, adding more springs to the rear end. Balancing the drive shafts, shimming the diff (as long as it remains a 3.42) DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. Changing the diff to 3.08 or 4.11 DOES solve the problem as does replacing the trans (it appears)
I can't tell from this BB what percentage of new Silverado/Sierras are having this problem. Based on the lack of response you all seem to be getting from GM, I suspect the percentage to be low 5-10%. If that is the case, it is not in GM's best interest, financially, to solve your problems at this time. It would cost more in lost sales to stop the line, research the problem, and recall and repair all the trucks than to lose a few customers or buy back a few trucks. I get the impression that this is a much larger problem (30-35%). I'm staying away from the Silverado until GM shows interest in solving these problems. GM's appearnt lack of concern bothers me because I like the Silverado and would have bought one months ago if these problems had been addressed in a more timely manner.
5) Spring squeel- caused by the front and sometimes rear springs rubbing on the spring housing brace. Fix- bend, cut, twist, reshape, the brace to allow for 1/2 inch more room.
6) [New] steering wheel clunk- caused by another substandard part, fix GM will replace you steering column with a new one (expect a long wait, nationally backordered)
"Seems" some other models are having vibration problems as well. 4wd models are not subject to the same considerations as the 2wd because 4wd don't have the 2 piece drive shaft and the angles to diffs are different by design. '99 Silverado/Sierra had a problem with bad tires and it appears from your's and other's reports that the '00 are having a similar problem. It could be that the speculation about the transmission applies in your case. I'm waiting to see how the trany change out works. I suspect it won't make a difference as the castings and machining are held to very close tollerances. Using cast gears and other new techniques inside the trany may be a cause for vibration that is transmitted down the drive shaft. Bad program for numerical control machine tools, incorrect tollerance in a clamp, or bad quality control for transmission internal parts could all contribute to a vibration along the drive train. There are no vibration damping bushings or connections, internal to the drive line, from the trany to the wheel. Bad tires would only compound the problem. The fact that you feel it on a 4wd indicates that the 2wd/3.42/2 piece driveshaft/u-joint angle theory may only be a part of the problem.
I had the launch shutter also (not real bad) and the new tranny seems to have fixed the problem.
One interesting point: Seems like when I go around a curve, it seems to have high pitched vibration in steering wheel. That has to be the tires, right? Any suggestions.
Anyway, I've only drove it 20 miles (at night) with new tranny and my conclusions may be premature about vibration. The vibration was definitely cured at 70-75 mph. Haven't checked any higher yet.
Furthermore, the tranny was not ordered and installed until I had all the other things first (new tires, wheels, driveshaft, driveline angle adjustment, six(6) balancing jobs, etc.) Now it runs smooth except corners.....and I'll just have to live with that I guess.
By-the-way.....the new transmission was different that the one they took off. I don't know exactly what the difference was, but it required new tools the dealer did not have in stock to install. They had to go buy some tool (some kind of wrench I think). It also had all the new up-to-date information from GM (it came from GM) according to dealer.
Too soon to tell.....will advise after a few miles...
Glad to hear your new trany stopped the vibration. I could speculate on a bunch of possible reasons it works but thats all it would be. Good new is that GM did have a fix for you. Hopefully they will retro this into all the 1500's having the problem and not make everyone go through the entire ordeal of unsuccessful repairs and endless tire rotations/balancing. Good luck. I'm curious to see if this lasts.
Another dealer told me about some $8000 tire balancer GM is making all the local dealers buy. He said 99/00 are so sensitive that this new balancer is needed to accurately balance the tires. I don't know, do you?
Scott138: that's very good news.....don't read any more! just kidding...... Good luck
HOWEVER.....I'm not convinced 100% that the new tranny fixed the problem. I still have to drive on highway (this weekend) to make sure problem is solved. Another thing: don't expect the vibration to be completely gone with new tranny. I still have high pitched vibration due to super-sensitive steering system or un-balanced tires. The vibration is not nearly as bad as before so the new tranny problem cured the big problem. My dealer does not have modern tire balancer, so he's sending me to another dealer with high-tech machine to balance the tires completely.
Another point: remember the guy who posted the information on the steering wheel pump, or something like that. If the tires are not properly balanced, the super-sensitive steering system with react.....per service rep.
By-the-way....to ease my mind, I drove six (6) other trucks on the lot.....all had some kind of vibration or shakes....my truck drove the best.
Anyway....I'll try to find the bulletin number, etc. for you....
Hoping to get two more good acceptable tires today from two additional sets ordered today. Service has spent an incredible amount of time and energy on my truck. Match balancing takes time to complete. I believe if this does not change vibration with these tires on then the service manager is going to declare the end of the road for this baby. this is the 27th day in the shop working on my truck. I will look back someday and probably laugh about this but right now I am not smilin' at all. Seriously considering ordering a 2500 series to replace this truck either way. I too am worried if this fixes the vibration, what happens when the tires wear out again. No warranty left and no one willing to spend that much time finding four perfect tires. Is GM gonna take care of us then? I wonder.
Anyway, it now feels like the tires. I have Goodyears (2nd set) and chrome wheels. I'm convinced (again) that if it's not something major, it's the tires and/or wheels.
I'm writing the Lemon Law letter tonight and mailing it tomor. I've had enough of this truck. Ironically, the only thing the dealer hasn't tried it switching to Alum. wheels and trying another brand of tires. Just switching with another truck on the lot makes a lot of sense to me, but they haven't tried that (?).
Bottom line.....in my case....it wasn't the transmission. Any suggestions or comments welcomed.......
Also, anyone know what driveline angle should be: anyone have the correct measurements. They shimmed my driveshaft on an earlier date: two (2) shimms on each side. They didn't take out with new transmission ?......Thanks
The front end shaking is from the rack and pinion steering box on 2wd trucks. Someone needs to try a steering dampener.
Got letter for buyback typed and will mail Thursday if problem not resolved.
I guess every time I need a tire balancing job, I'll have to pay $$$$$ for fancy machine?
I just don't have the time or sanity for much more of this.
Jeff
However, my truck still has small shutter/vibration when I start, but it goes away. I also have a new tranmission and all the other fixes that suppose to have fixed the shutter, but it's still there.
Another cure may be re-flashing the PCM......ask dealer about that one.
Good luck. John
And it works great!
Just something else for us to worry about.
Whatever the problem is, I have to believe Chevy knows what it is but won't fix because of the cost involved. With so many trucks having the problem they have to know. Better for them to fess up and fix it rather than get into the lawsuits that will come up later which, no doubt, will bring it to the publics eye and force them to fix the trucks anyway.
Hey Chevy, how about being responsible for a change. People do appreciate honesty even though it seems to be lacking in many folks of late.
Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now.
After the new tranny didn't do the trick, the dealer sent me to another dealer with some $14,000 tire balancing machine....state of art stuff. Well I get there with a vibration at 73 and above and leave with vibration at all speeds and a steering wheel jumping/shaking. It drove 100% better before I took it. The new dealer tried to give my some BS reason the steering wheel was jumping after I took it in (bushings) and said that GM was going to recall the 99/00 trucks to correct the problem. Everything he was saying was total BS.
Anyway, being completely confused and mad, I went to tire dealer on the 2 hour trip home. At my own expense and without telling the tire dealer what I had gone through, I asked him to simply balance my tires. I explained what it was doing and took him on test ride. After about 20 minutes he took me into garage and showed me why he thought my truck was vibrating. Two (2) of my chrome/steels were so warped it wasn't funny. Very noticable on the standard tire balancer. I also had two (2) Goodyear tires that were also defective and would not balance out.
The tire man told me that it was amazing that the truck wasn't shaking/vibrating worst because of the bad tires and wheels.
Bottom line: this was the first non-GM people to work on my truck and found the problem in 20 minutes (or at least another problem). Anyway, I then went to the post office and mailed my Lemon Law letter requesting repurchase.
Oh yea,,,,,dealer said, when I showed him paper work (that I paid for) about problem, offered to order new chrome wheels and more Goodyear tires. That will be third set.
What a joke! John
vibrates bad at 65 mph and up. Its only got 277
miles on it.Should I report to dealer or direct
to GM ? Looks like no easy fix , and possibly
several visits to dealer`s repair shop in my future.. I`m looking for advise from anyone who has been able to win out in this unfortunate situation.
Also what month yours built? Look on driver side door for month and year....
Don't let them BS you when you take it back.... I'm in process of trying to make GM buy mine back. Good luck,,,,,John
Are these chrome wheels or hub caps??? When you feel the inside edge it feels like two parts.
ps; still 277 miles I'm not driving it till I make up my mind on turning it in or trying to get it fixed. I`m driving my 89 chev 1/2 ton 163000
miles on it .Its` still a smooth shifting automatic and smooth ride. I was hopeing to get ten good years out of my new one, you know ???
and Goodyear tires. It had no vibration initially,
but developed the steering wheel shakes at about
300 miles. I then put a new set of wheels and tires
on (Chevy factory aluminum wheels and BFG Long
Trail TA's, 245-75R16) and it did not change
anything at all. I am convinced it is in the
steering somewhere. I'm going to take it back to
the dealer tomorrow and see what they do. I already
talked to the service manager and he said he
hasn't heard of this problem before. Yeah, right.
Will post my results.
Now with 25 miles on it, it drives smooth with new General tires. Don't know how long it will last though. It has rode smooth before but then began to vibrate again after 100 miles or so.
Suggestions: Have an independent tire person check your tires and wheels. And if know what to look for, ask to watch them balance the tires on the balancer. If you rims are warped, as was mine, you can see it there. You can also see if the tires are defective as well.
According to my independent tire source, the Goodyear tires are worthless. He has replaced for other Chevy customers with Factory Goodyear tires because of rough/vibrating ride. Warped rims and bad tires apparently affect this new style truck in a hard way. The steering is very sensitive apparently.
Another suggestion: if you can return it and walk away, do so. Chevy has a problem on their hands and apparently don't have a clue yet.
By-the-way....I also had a new tranny, which seemed to have help the vibration problem. But my hopes are high that the warped rims were the real culprit and the problem is now cured....guess I'll know in a few hundred miles.....John
The black cap nuts will loosen on their own, but will not come all the way off. You'll need to hand tighten occasionally. There is a fix but no TSB yet that I know of. Some guy posted a fix a while back but I forgot what it was. Good luck. John