2000 Chevy Silverado Vibration - II

tucsonjwt

edelbrock IAS shocks and velvet ride shackles for ride/handling improvement? Check the Silverado XIII topic for lots of discussion of this issue. This combo is about $400 DIY modification. Just a thought. Check it out.

obyone

I will never buy first/second year vehicle again...this has been one helluva an experience. I had a friend who owns a mechanic shop look at the TSB for replacing the rack. He shook his head and said the welding is the most important part of the whole TSB. If whoever does the welding screws it up, the whole TSB is trash. He also went on to say that this fix, even if done correctly is a joke. Who wants something welded like a patch on their truck. Said he sure wouldn't want the truck after all that. Made me kind of think about that one...just adding my $.02.

Dean

obyone

How would we be able to tell if the welding was botched? My truck goes in on Monday for the fix. Hope I can figure something out by then...

Dean

ricsch

you drop off your truck for the "fix", stress to you service advisor that you want the job done right, and inquire as to who will be doing the welding-a detailing person or someone with welding experience. In GM's favor, after the welding is done they cover it up with undercoating so one doesn't get to see how well it was done. Good luck, can't wait to hear how it helped the problem-I still am not 100% satisfied with the solution on my truck. Was it you who posted way back about the '01 stabilizer bars? If so ,you have a good source. Can they tell you what they really are for?

tiredofwaiting

I you are not satisfied with your truck please email me the details of your ownership experience. I will post them to a web site devoted to problems with GM trucks and will also forward to several people in GM management. Maybe if they continually get these emails, they will be forced to retrofit ALL trucks with fixes incorporated into the 2001 design.

Thanks,
Clay Hodges
<<A HREF="http://gm_lemon@bigfoot.com">gm_lemon@bigfoot.com>
<<A HREF="http://drive.to.agmlemon">http://drive.to.agmlemon&gt;

obyone

The dealer will be sending my truck to an autobody shop. In fact they asked me if I had a preference. I have three friends each who owns a shop. I had asked them and they all said "no thanks" as working with dealers on warranty work is a hassle. Especially in this case where the welding is critical. So...its going to the dealers choice. These are the guys that did an awesome paint job on my bed as I had some paint defects. What concerns me is that they trashed my Pace Edwards Rolltop when trying to reinstall. That's another story. I am putting the truck on a rack this weekend and taking pictures of the areas that are to be worked on. At least it will give me a before and after picture. I figure that I may just remove the undercoating put on by the body shop in the weld area to see exactly what kind of work they did. By nature, I'm not an anal person when it comes to my cars or truck. In the case of my Silverado, it has had my attention from day 1 when the dealer first tried to stonewall me.

To the second part, yes, it was me that posted on the '01 stabilizer bars. It came as second hand info thru a guy I had met on Edmunds. Apparently, he has a contact in GM who is an engineer. The stabilizers were to address the frame flex as the GM frames are stiffer than the old C/K. The new frames are hydroformed and are also very thin in certain areas. These are the areas where they are using the stabilizers to support. He had said that 140 staff people including engineers that did the initial design were all let go. Didn't exactly say why but hinted that GM was not too pleased with the results of the frame in actual application. The second reason for the stabilizers were to address the frame flex in the forward cab area. When going over bumps at highway speeds, the frame flex would cause the tires to temporarily throw off the caster and camber, and cause a wobble (aftershock). BTW, he has recommended that I start my buyback proceedings as it is obvious that these trucks were not well designed and the changes in the '01 truck design proves that. He has a point as you had mentioned earlier regarding the new stabilizers that you saw on the underside of the new trucks....

sorry for the long post...

Dean

obyone

I would definitely take you up on that. The file that the dealer keeps on my truck is actually 2-3" thick with service reports,TSB's, copies of receipts for sourced out work. I mean my file is huge, almost like a phonebook. I also have my copy which is just about the same size. It would take a lot of time and effort to scan these service orders into MS Word format. Did you want all of the info? Let me know. My email address is under my profile.

Dean

obyone

I tried the link to your website. You may want to check it out as it doesn't seem to be working.

brianinvegas

If the back ordered velvet ride shackles ever show up, it has been 4 weeks now, I'll let you know how the Edelbrock IAS / shackle combo works. I contacted BFG direct and they say there is not a delivery problem so the shackles are out there somewhere. Regardless, I'm having them 2 day shipped, again, today and will have the installation of shocks and shackles done next week.

BTW, I have a '00 4wd 5.3L 4.10 gears ext. cab Z71. I have owned many Chevy trucks and never had a truck run so smooth on smooth pavement and so poorly on poor roads. I know the factory shocks are terrible and the Edlebrocks will help a lot. All of my pickups have bounced on concrete freeways but the '00 Z71 is the worst. Hope the shackles improve that too.

kingfishgus

Thanks much for the info, I'm sure everyone interested in a buyback appreciates your info. Did you report the vibration to the dealer at 1500 miles, or to the BBB?
Did they give you a choice of a replacement truck or just talk a money settlement? If you traded in another vehicle, did they factor that in somehow?

I'm trying to decide whether to go for a 1500 4 door 2000, a 1500 4 door 2001 or just go to a 2500. All the info here is pushing me away from a 2000 4 door although I think I've only read one note where vibration was a problem with any truck since they redesigned for 4 doors. A vibration problem with a few random vehicles could be a tire issue and not whatever seems to be causing our widespread problems.

kingfishgus

Obyone - what other message boards are you looking at that have mentions of a slipping problem?

All - Last week I was loading my boat back on the trailer and I think I experienced the slip. The truck motor was off, it was in park, with the emergency break on. I walked the boat onto the trailer and secured it. I got in the truck, started it, put my foot on the brake, released the parking break, and put it in drive. I held my foot on the brake and gave it a little gas as I normally do, prior to releasing the brake. The engine just revved up and the trans was not in gear. I put it in park, then back to drive, and it revved again for a second, then slammed into gear. I took my foot off the brake and pulled the boat on out. This was the only time this has happened but when the talk of slipping came up, I'm starting to get concerned about this.
Course, I'm in the process of selling this truck back, but I'd like to replace it with a good Silverado of some configuration (assuming such animal now exists). Wonder if the 2500's use the same transmission as the 1500? Might be another reason to go to a 2500 over a 1500.

jlflemmons

If you get the 6.0L engine, you get the heavier transmission automatically. The 1500 uses the 4L60E, which has been around for awhile, and the 2500 w/6.0L uses the 4L80E.

Jim

bpoling

For Kingfishgus - We reported our vibration problem to the dealer, GM and BBB at approx. 1500 miles. The dealer didn't respond, GM took the complaint and with the info. that we got from this
web site we decided not to wait thru alot of trials and fixes so we contacted the BBB. Very little work was performed on our truck. The tires were placed one time. It was test driven by
the factory rep once and it was that factor rep that appeared at the arbitration hearing. Because of the run-around and the fact that the TSB was presented by us instead of GM in the arbitration hearing that we were able to win the ruling. Our original request to BBB was to get a replacement
truck because we felt the price paid for the options that we got had been a decent deal. The arbitrator ruled for the re-purchase minus the mileage change so we had to accept that. BBB told me prior to getting to arbitration that we could not "deal" with the arbitrator for any requests that we had. I had hoped that we could because we want another truck but we didn't want a "vibrating truck". BBB told me that if we buy another truck, and it has problems, that we would just file another claim. We did learn that binding arbitration is good for the consumer. GM
has to respond but if we didn't like the ruling, we could seek an attorney.

We, too, are wondering whether to buy a 2000 4DR or order a 2001 4dr.

The factory rep did mention to us at the hearing
that a recall for another problem is active. I
don't remember all of the details (the bulletin is at home and I'm not) but it came out in May and had to do with a brake problem and he suggested that we get the service performed! He said that our truck was involved and that GM would notify us. This is nearly August and GM
has not notified us yet.

obyone

link to other site for trans slipping:

http://www.pacific-audio.com/performance/messages/58363.html

http://www.pacific-audio.com/performance/messages/18915.html

http://www.pacific-audio.com/performance/messages/18890.html

maybe a little more widespread than originally thought?

Dean

tucsonjwt

that the IAS/velvet combo will help the highway ride most of all. White6 may confirm this. This is the one instance where I would say this modification duplicates a Cadillac ride. I do not feel the expansion strips/road defects at all at highway speeds on the expressway. I do still feel the road imperfections in city driving, just not as much as before. Of course, I do have the standard 2wd long bed with smooth suspension, and your 4wd might not act the same way.
I wonder if GM will every offer these upgrades as a factory option, or some other factory suspension options like air springs, in the future? They could enhance their profit margin even more than they already have on pickups and suvs with no re-engineering effort.

xbbuster

If you're thinking about buying a '00 2wd 4 dr, make sure your give it a complete test drive like I should have done. Mine has all the problems that you probably had. Good luck

ricsch

Saw a post on the Pacific Audio/GM Trucks Performance forum and a person says he has a 2000 Silverado with 43,000 miles, and the frame is broken through from the bottom upwards. It is behind the rear tires where an oval hole is at an angle in the frame. He also states that GM has upgraded the rear frame sections with a stronger section. I posted for him to identify what specific type of truck that he has, I'll let you know.

ricsch

Seen the general manager of my dealership on Friday regarding the problems with my '00 2wd x-cab vibration and his first recommendation was to see what they could get me into a '01, that I would pay the difference, which roughly came to $3500. My truck only has 3000 miles on it and why should I pay to get rid of their problem. So I will be making the call on Monday for the buy back. The manager says to call GM Customer Assistance to initiate this, is this correct? My understanding is to get in contact with the BBB. Any advice from those who have been there would be appreciative.

tiredofwaiting

I am out of town and found a new 2001 Ext 1500 at a dealer there. I checked out the frame and there were enough other trucks (100+) to compare with that I was able to chronicle the visible changes across 99, 00 and 01. Ok, from what I can see, the 99 and 00 both had a wimpy bolt on transmission crossmember that was not braced to the frame. The 00s after It also drops down lower to accommodate a larger crossmember. The 01s add two braces that run from a foot behind the front wheel on each frame rail to a central point on the crossmember where the front bushing of the lower control arm attaches to. this effectivly provides another 90 degree brace to the frame. The 01 also has a brace that runs from the left to the right frame rails about 8-10 inches in front of the driveshaft carrier bearing mount.
I took tons of digital pictures of these trucks, including the frame stickers that show the build date. The 2001 showed a 6/21 date. I saw many 2000s in the 6/8..6/9 range but no braces. I even have several pictures of a brand new complete 4wd frame leaning against the body shop wall it had no braces..was built in Canada on 6/6. It did have the complete Trans Xmember attached. I would like to see that shop ticket. Could it be vibration related???? Anyway I will be back in town tomorrow night and will upload the pictures to my web site if you are interested.... Oh BTW there are no new rear door handles.

Clay
<<A HREF="http://gm_lemon@bigfoot.com">gm_lemon@bigfoot.com>
<<A HREF="http://drive.to/agmlemon">http://drive.to/agmlemon&gt;

tkeller1

MY DEALERSHIP STILL HAS MY 99 SILVERADO AND IS TRYING TO INSTALL 4 "GOOD TIRES". THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME IN THE SHOP. THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 11 DAYS. THIS WILL MAKE APPROX. 11 TIRES, TWO DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS, ONE RIM AND SHIMS FOR THE DRIVE LINE. (THEY HAVE BEEN REMOVED) I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK SINCE 10-31-99. ONLY HAVE 5400 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP PUT 250 MILES ON IT THE LAST TIME THEY HAD IT. IN JUNE--FOR 9 DAYS. ANYWAY--HAS ANYONE TRIED THE GM. BBB. LINE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL? WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET GM. TO REPLACE THE TRUCK? MY DEALERSHIP IS JON HALL CHEVY IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. THANKS.

dustyone

Thanks. We will be looking forward to the pictures. Perhaps there will be a retrofit kit for the '99 and '00. Even if GM will not admit a design error, someone could after market this for a reasonable fee. BTW, yours is going to be a very valuable web site.

dustyone

How about a section on BUY BACK using the BBB and Generic Lemon Law procedure. Anyone who has been though this procedure successfully want to share the steps that you used? Perhaps Clifford Martin will add this to his GM site.

tiredofwaiting

I believe the frame 01 mods (braces) can be added to the earlier frames easily. they are tubular braces bolted in place with a single bolt on each end. They reminded me of the brace on a swing set, the middle of the A-frame. The Trans crossmember is doubtful..the way it mounts to the frame is totally differant. It would require a lot of welding.. You'll understand when you see the picts.....

Clay

ricsch

I've seen the bracing first-hand, contacted my dealership service advisor, he in turn had contacted the GM field engineer, who supposedly contacted someone at GM regarding these braces and if they could or would be installed on my vehicle-NO was the answer. From what I see of these braces, they may work, but why are they so light-I would have thought they would have used a stronger type of material. What shape are the frames in these '99-'00 trucks that have the vibrations and aftershock issue-has any damage been already done to the strength in the frame? What happens a few years down the road when it's out of warranty? I personally don't want to put up with any more, even the sales manager at my dealership recommended to have the vehicle bought back-this is my next step to cure the problem-hate to see who ends up getting my problem truck, you can bet it will go to auction.

brianinvegas

Thanks for the info. The highway ride on those rough stretches of concrete is what needs the most improvement.

I too wish GM would offer some of these upgrades. They got it right with the s-10 ZR2. My '99 ZR2 was $26,000 sticker and Chevy can't sell these little trucks fast enough! A co-worker just bought a '00 ZR2 and loves it also.

Today's Z71 isn't the same as my '94 Z71 in terms of suspension and off-road capability. The sticker on my '00 Z71 is $34,300 and I'm spending another $600 on shocks / shackles to get it right so money is not the issue here. You're right, the extra profit is going to the after market guys.

obyone

shackles. They hopefully will be here about the same time I get my truck back from the dealer after the TSB. Ordered a G-Tech Pro Performance Meter also, we'll see how good that works, too.

white6

Which suspension does your truck have? Mine has the standard "smooth ride" suspension. The loaner truck they gave me today (00 SL, 2wd, reg cab, 4.3 auto, step-side; what they refer to as the "Texas/Oklahoma Package") has the "heavy duty" suspension, chrome steel wheels, General WOL tires (255's) and this truck rides a significantly better than mine does, even after the Edelbrock shocks and VelvetRide shackles were installed! I noticed it has 2 leaves plus overload leaf springs in rear (3 leaves total), whereas mine has only a single leaf plus overload leaf spring (2 leaves total). Hmmmmm. This truck was built in October of '99. I crawled underneath and it looks like the front A-arms have been removed, but I find no evidence of the "kit" being installed. My service advisor tells me that mine is the first truck to get the "kit" at this dealership, which is one of the biggest in Oklahoma. This may not seem significant, but let me tell you, they sell A LOT of trucks in Oklahoma! I am very nervous to say the least. I don't want to give the truck back, since I've done a lot of stuff to it, but I may be forced to look into a buy-back if this is not done to my satisfaction. After reading about the major mods made to the '01 trucks, I REALLY wish I had waited another six months! (Plus, I much prefer the "Neutral" interior color)

tiredofwaiting

Anyone who wanted to see the 01 frame picts can go to ....



Unless you have netscape...I seem to have a bug...

obyone

ditto on the smooth ride suspension. I had a choice on loaners from a '00 Grand Cherokee with 100 miles on it or a '00 Sedan DeVille with 500 miles on it...was forced to take the caddy...

I am the first at my dealership too. I mentioned to the service advisor that we "need to get the word out" on this TSB...needless to say, he wasn't very happy with that one...

ricsch

If anyone is having the vibration problems and having the tsb done, in my opinion, don't put any more accessories (shackles, shocks, etc.)in the possibility that the problem isn't resolved and you decide it's time for a buy-back. I made the call yesterday, waiting for the forms to sign in the mail to get the buy back under way. By adding more things to the vehicle, you'll have to try and get the cost of those back from GM.

obyone

that's true. I should get the truck back in a day or two and will be able to evaluate at that time. If I'm not satisfied, may go through buy back or trade in - accessories. I really don't want to order all these accessories again. So I'm thinking of restoring the truck back to stock and reinstall on new truck since most of the mods are about 6 months old....Hmm that means I'll have to buy another Silverado or....a Sierra...OR maybe a C3 series Sierra...close to $40k...we'll just have to wait and see. That new Sierra 1/2 ton with the 6.0l sure looks tempting...

Dean

ovalley

I have been on vacation for the last week and am just getting caught up on the posts.

As for the fix on my "fix", no word yet from the dealer on when the replacement parts would be in.

As for aftermarket shock, I tried the Edelbrock IAS, but the ride was too soft for me in the rear end. They do soften up the bumps, but it is a truck. If you want a more car like ride then to for it, just not my preference. I returned them and bought Rancho RS9000. Setting "1" is similar to the stock "smooth ride" suspension, setting "3" is similar to the factory "firm ride" and setting "5" is very firm. A firmer setting does dampen some of the aftershocks, but does not eliminate them. One of the reasons I bought the self adjusting shocks was too see for myself if it was bad shocks or suspension flexing. It feels like suspension flexing to me. Deep down have always though it was. Smooth road, great ride. Rough road, rough ride.

This thing about 2001's having extra frame bracing kind of supports this frame flexing thing.

Maybe I should have quit GM after they voluntarily bought back the 99 reg cab I first bought. I really like every thing about the truck except for the aftershocks.

obyone

the mileage which is 13,000 x $.25= $3250 hit...unless I threaten lawsuit. Got to admit though...GM is really sneaky on this one. Keeping it all hush and such.

ricsch

I like the Silverado very much except for the aftershocks, also, seems that the truck has developed the cold start knock, which seems to go away after the engine is up to operating temp. But my main concern is with the frame/vibration issue-what are people going to do when the truck gets a few years old and the problem gets worse? It will be that much harder to get it resolved by GM and if the public gets word-resale is going to drop. Personally, I won't consider a new GM truck until at least 2002, supposedly they will be do some REAL revisions to correct the problems they have. The aftermarket could cash in on the braces that GM won't put on our trucks. The suspension companies could come up with similar bracing (better quality,too)but has any damage happened in the time of use this far?

tiredofwaiting

For people having problems viewing the 2001 frame pictures with Netscape the problem is resolved.

<<A HREF="http://drive.to/agmlemon">http://drive.to/agmlemon&gt;

tiredofwaiting

I have set up a link that will email both GMC and Chevrolet from my home page. If we all email them from this link I think it would make "help" understand we would like our vibration related defects cured by whatever means necessary. Take a look at all the new frame bracing added for 2001. Then ask yourself, would adding the frame braces and transmission crossmember be more difficult than the steering TSB? I don't think so!
If you agree than...Please click the EMAIL GM link you see in the center of my home page and tell GM your story and how you think they can best resolve the problems with your truck.

Thanks or
<<A HREF="http://agmlemon.freeservers.com">http://agmlemon.freeservers.com&gt;

jlflemmons

What was underneath my 2000 2500 ext cab, 2wd. Since I have the bigger tranny, the cross member on my truck is a huge chunk of metal, maybe twice the size of the 2000 1/2 ton in your picture. The 2001 is closer to what I have on my truck, but instead of the extra cross bracing, the overall frame is thicker/taller in the side rails. Maybe this is why the 3/4 ton doesn't shake?

obyone

an excellent piece of deduction...

jlflemmons

You can bet that all the extra bracing on the 2001 frame is a temporary measure until the current frames are used up. In my business (computers) this is referred to as "Inventory Disposition: Rework and deplete inventory". I would not be a bit suprised if the frames are different 3 months into the model year. The different components that make up a complex assembly, whether a truck or a computer, are produced in advance based on market forcasts. No manufacturer can afford to scrap a high dollar component from inventory if a solution is available. In this case, it would appear that GM has determined a workable solution to the vibration/frame flex problem in the 1/2 ton. The reason I say that the frame will change further into the model year is that each one of the braces shown constitute an additional labor operation on the assembly line. Read: cost. So when the solution is derived for the frame manufacturer to add whatever braces, gussets, or stiffeners needed, those changes will be done before the frame goes to the assembly line. It is less expensive to modify the frame during it's assembly than to modify the next higher assembly.

No charge for this brief lesson in manufacturing engineering. ;-)

obyone

to really save money, GM should use the 3/4 ton frame for the 1/2 tons? Of course with different springs, bushings, whatever, but essentially the 3/4 ton frame which is the same basic design, albeit a little thicker here, a little thicker there.....

ricsch

My opinion-adding these braces to current trucks is a quick fix, do you really want to try another attempt by GM to mask a problem? j1flemmons has a good point that later trucks will/should have the necessary changes-the braces on the '01's look wimpy, how long have these been in the engineering stages?

tucsonjwt

question is how many 1/2 ton Silverados are vibrating, and whether or not it is worth the design changes. I know a lot of people with 99-00 Silverados and Sierras that aren't shaking, in fact, I only heard about it on this topic. Maybe GM thinks that these trucks will start to shake even if they aren't shaking now, so they are taking some precautionary action.
Regarding manufacturing economics, a difference of a few cents in cost savings will often affect the decision to make a change. Remember, US business only looks at next quarter's profits - give me my golden parachute and let the next CEO worry about the defects. It happens all the time. Stockholders don't reward corporations for looking far ahead into the future (unless your company name ends in .com.) Value of this opinion: $.02.

ricsch

you have a good point also, question that I have is how many people out there have trucks that do have the problems, but for some reason just live with it? For the price of these trucks-GM needs to work on Quality issues. Read some of the posts on tiredofwaiting's website and see what guys have had done with their trucks trying to get the bugs out. Interesting especially was the last post on his "reader's" section about what happens at a GM plant, sure, it probably goes on elsewhere.

kansan

I clicked on the Send GM an E-mail button, but couldn't open the program and got an error message. What is the GM e-mail address, I'll try sending an e-mail the old fashioned way. I agree 100% that if there is extra bracing being added to the 2001 1/2 ton frames to fix a flexing problem, they should be retrofutted on the 2000's also.
Thanks,
Ken

tiredofwaiting

Kansan:
Please Email GM by clicking here or cut and paste
the addresses into your mail program....I added a
subject line so GM would see a connection between
emails people send. I think if they see alot of
these they will understand people are getting
together on this.
<<A HREF="http://cac@chevrolet.com,gmc@chevrolet.com,gm_lemon@bigfoot.com?subject=ClayHodgesC00883055http://drive.to/agmlemon">mailto:cac@chevrolet.com,gmc@chevrolet.com,gm_lemon@bigfoot.com?subject=ClayHodgesC00883055http://drive.to/agmlemon&gt;

jlflemmons:
I have pictures of a 2000 model-2500 just have not
posted yet...you are right it is totally different
from all others. It is Beefy..Real Beefy where it
bolts to the frame rails. It actually wraps around
to the outside of the frame. This could be a
contributing factor to the lack of shack on the
2500s.

That is interesting observation about GM changing
the frame again...I think cost will dictate a
different bracing method in the future...maybe
buyers should hold off for a while. I know I would
not ever consider a 2000.

Clay
<<A HREF="http://agmlemon.freeservers.com/">http://agmlemon.freeservers.com/&gt;

white6

the first time these '99-'00 trucks need new tires? If it didn't shake prior, it might start with new tires. The tire retailers are probably going to get to know GM truck owners very, very well, since they will be coming back time and again to "re-balance" their tires; more than likely to no satisfaction. In the meantime, their warranty period has expired and they have no recourse. A bleak scenario, no doubt.

jlflemmons

In Texas, and I suspect other states, if a vehicle manufacturer buys back a vehicle without completing arbitration the vehicle can be sold at auction without showing buyback or lemon or whatever on the title. I know this for a fact as I had a Safari van taken back by GMC under the guidelines of the Texas lemon law. The vehicle was then sold at auction and ended up in the hands of a buyer in Houston. I received several "How was your service performed?" letters from GM before the data base was corrected to show the new owner. Sad thing about it, the vehicle wasn't the problem, it was fuel and service related. FYI, on the CPI injected engines (4.3) the cooling system should be flushed after the split manifold on the intake is opened. A sealant is added to the coolant to prevent minor leaks in the system after re-assembly. In my case, after the 4th injector repair and four additions of sealant without flushing the system, the cooling system blocked up and overpressured, causing the heater hose to literally explode. No injuries, but lost all coolant in seconds on the freeway in the middle of nowhere on Christmas eve at 5pm. Oh, yeah, you bet I was a happy camper!

ovalley

tires are the cause of the problem, but the vibrations are only exagerated by the frame/suspension flexing problem. Several who have posted on this board believe it is tire problems because the dealer service department tells them this is the problem. I went through this with the first GM truck I bought, 99 reg cab 2wd. GM bought it back voluntarily. The 00 ext cab 2wd I have now rides much better, but still has this aftershock feeling. If the frame is stiff, the springs and shocks can do their thing and isolate vibrations. Deep down I have thought this problem was more related to the frame/suspension than tires. The quality control issue may explain why some feel it more than others. There are also a lot of first time truck buyers with nothing similar to compare to. I grew up with my dad selling used cars in the 70's and 80's. I have driven all kinds and types.

Anyways, has any one out there talked to Goodyear or General about this frame flexing issue? It sure would have saved them lots of money if this whole thing turned out to be GM's nickel and not the tire company.

wight1

Is it the frame structure? Or is it the rack and pinion steering? Notice how the latest TSB talks about road/tire vibrations being transmitted through the rack and pinion unit. When the new Silverados came out in 99, the first negative I read about was the change to rack and pinion. My thought was why change from recirculating ball that's worked well for so many years.

The rack and pinion steering, the relatively light frame, the really light rear axle and spring assembly was what convinced me to get a 2500 instead of a 1500. I think that even though the 2500 frame is much heavier than the 1500, the current 2500 frames are lighter than the old C/K series frames and they are now also multi-piece frames. But the 2wd 2500's don't have the vibration problem, and they don't have rack & pinion steering either. So is the frame, or is it rack & pinion or the combination of the 2 together?

I think the suggestion that the 1500 frame will probably be redesigned later this year may be correct, but will rack & pinion also disappear? If GM was convinced that rack & pinion was so much better than reciruclating ball, how come they didn't also put it on the 2500?

tiredofwaiting

Service Manager called the Generals finally got mounted, 43rd day in the shop. Went to drive it, guess what, It does ride better at high speeds. However, It still has launch shudder even after new tires, hubs, springs and shackles. I'm going to drive it for a day to let the "tires wear in". The service manager says he is going to research the launch shudder. I got an ugly feeling that these tires are gonna have the same strange wear patterns in time .. and the high speed vibration will come back.
Now if only they will fix that seat belt, transmission, front coil springs, wind noise, ABS ....Oops musta been dreaming.
Clay
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