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GMC Sierra: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Check out these sites for pics of 285 BFG's on my truck


    http://members6.clubphoto.com/ryan392464/


    http://www.picturetrail.com/ryanbab


    Mine fit with no modifications at all. Install and go. Also they are on my stock rims. Have had them for 7500 miles and all is fine

  • reichartjreichartj Member Posts: 10
    What rear do you have and how much was performance affected by the tire increase (acceleration, speedo etc...)
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    a 3.73 which is now in effect a 3.60 after the increase.

    performance changes none really. I corrected the speedo with a hypertech programmer (HPIII)
    MPG didnt change but + - 0.2. It may be a little slower in 0-60 (or whatever acceleration) but it can still outrun most.

    I had the 265's for 10K miles crappy tires. THe 285's are so much better. Much better traction and handling.

    Let me know if you have any other questions

    Ryan
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
    did you see the pictures on pickup.com from the guy that had swapped his DRL's to amber? Looked a lot like your truck. BTW.....anybody know how you get at them? I assume it must be from behind as there don't appear to be any external scews to remove.

    john
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    of the black grill? Yea a guy with a black lifted Z71 painted his chrome mirrors black and added the black grill
  • mrurlmrurl Member Posts: 116
    The main headlights are mounted with retaining pins that come up to remove. Once you have the upper headlight out, the lower is easily accessed. Bulbs go in from the rear.

    Peter
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
  • dansa2dansa2 Member Posts: 28
    I have same vibration problem with my 2000 sierra x-cab. 5 rebalance visits including a new set of goodyears after 10,000 mi. mechanic says there is nothing else they can do except to get rebalnced often. mechanic suggested michelins fro my next set of tires, they seem to hepf minimise the vibration. im very disapointed in the truck only for that reason other than that it is a great truck. im thinking of filing with the bbb. not sure if i am wasting my efforts. are all sierras having the problem?
  • ricschricsch Member Posts: 540
    In going through arbitration with the Better Business Bureau, your under no obligation to accept what GM offers, and it's no cost to you. If you recall, I went through the process and turned out well, I got a replacement truck w/o vibrations. My first truck had the original tires replaced with Michelins and it helped, but the vibes were still present. Guess it depends on if you can tolerate how the truck drives or if it's worth your time to go further in a resolution.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    what are the specifics of your truck? 2 or 4 wd? xcab? rims?
  • reichartjreichartj Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for all the info. Just one more question; does the 285 spare fit under the truck? I can see the spare in your photos, but couldn't tell for sure if it was a 285. Thanks again.
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    on my 2K 2500 Ext 2wd. From stop to fuel shut-off, smooth as glass. And the funny part? Firestone Steeltex, 245's, load range E running 50psi.

    Jim
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    The 285 spare fits under. I have the tow pkg and it fits fine. Right now however i have it sitting in the bed because i am doing my rear axle fluid change this weekend and probably changing out shocks soon so after that ill put it back

    Ryan
  • jdgoatjdgoat Member Posts: 19
    What is the hypertech programmer you used to correct the speedo? Is this something you take it in for and if so where? Or is this something you can purchase? I will be upgrading my tires and would like to get my speedo corrected for the new size.

    Jim
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    It is something u can buy. Just remember to remove the programming when taking truck into dealer for warranty work.


    http://www.hypertech-inc.com/programmer.html

  • tkenny53tkenny53 Member Posts: 41
    Both my toy and nissan trucks did this all the time going out the driveway. Just some fron end tweaking.
  • xbbusterxbbuster Member Posts: 145
    ricsch is right. Is it worth the time and trouble? You will come out ahead only if you hang in there. Check back to post #224, my case took a year from the time I first called the BBB until I got the settlement check from GM. Sold the truck a week ago and am looking for another. Something without rack and pinion steering.
  • erikheikererikheiker Member Posts: 230
    Is 50 psi the recommended tire pressure on the label located on the the driver's side door jamb? I know for the 1500 the highest I've ever seen is 35 psi. 50 psi just seems high, even for a 2500.
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    The Steeltex Firestone is a load range E tire. When running empty, 50psi front and rear. When loaded or towing heavy loads, 50psi front, 80psi rear. Per door jamb. It isn't a function of the truck, but the tire. If you run 80psi when empty, the tires last forever as they are never on the pavement. ;-)

    Jim
  • ricschricsch Member Posts: 540
    So will you be considering a 4x4 GM truck? My arbitration from first contact of the BBB to getting the new truck was @ 4 months. Interesting though when I ran into a guy who is a GM Service manager at a GM dealership at a car show this weekend, he made it sound as if even with doing the tsb on the shaking trucks, it couldn't cure it totally, which I found to be true in my case. He also mentioned that aside from the front end vibes, they had experienced problems with the prop shaft causing some vibe problems.(which I assume would be dealing with the drive shaft?)
  • minikinminikin Member Posts: 389
    is load range E on the 2500's; load range C on the 1/2 ton; both 245x75; just for clarification. Inflation sticker on the Y2K 1500 calls for 45/45. Too high for unloaded, IMHO.
    -- Don
  • gmc2500hdgmc2500hd Member Posts: 2
    Hello all;

    I've enjoyed the comradeship amongst truck owners. I have a '01 2500HD-8.1L 4x4 Crew cab, with 4.10 diff.
    I've enjoyed every minute driving this truck. I even find places to go just to drive it. I'm getting about 9mpg city and 12mpg highway. I've just installed a Flow master on it with dual in/out that they just came out with for the 8.1, and it sounds great and is even performing better.

    The reason I'm posting is to solicit the comments of anyone that is having problems with heavy vibrations on the concrete highways with vertical rain groves. It also rides much rougher than my '99 2500.

    This is the only problem I've had with my truck other than on one occasion where the transmission seem to downshift to a lower gear at the wrong speed. I am taking it to the service kept tomorrow to have it checked out. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.
  • xbbusterxbbuster Member Posts: 145
    That service manager you talked to was on the right track. Of all the tinkering that my dealer performed on my truck, the one single thing that did make a noticeable difference was replacing the forward drive shaft. Didn't cure the vibrations but it helped a lot. I always wondered why they went right for the drive shaft which they just happened to have in stock. As far as looking for a replacement, I'm in no hurry, there should be some good deals out there once the '02's hit the lots
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    My 99 1500 4x4 with LT245/75-16s LR'C' has 50psi/50psi as the recommended air pressure. Empty I run 40/35 psi. On my 2500 I run 50/75 with a load, but those tires are LR 'E'.

    35 psi is for P(assenger) series tires, not for truck tires.

    Mike L
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    "35 psi is for P(assenger) series tires, not for truck tires."

    My tires has 35 psi as max pressure....

    Michelin LTX M/S 275/70R16
  • marksinclairmarksinclair Member Posts: 1
    The vehicle has 55,000 miles and appears to have been very well cared for. I know the owner. I've never owned a 4x4 before. Anything to be aware of before buying a 4x4 this old? Or with this particular model?
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    The Michelin website lists that size tire as a P-Series tire.

    LT (Light Truck) tires are rated at 50 psi for 'C' range, 65 psi for 'D' range and 80 psi for 'E' range tires.

    Mike L
  • dansa2dansa2 Member Posts: 28
    2wd/x-cab.i can handle the vibration once in a while. but if im on a long trip the vibration may persist.i will try the bbb cant hurt and i have patience.since i have a new set of good years from the dealer it will be some time before changing to michelins. its not right that i nor anyone should have to deal with this continuous problem.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Did you have the rack and pinion changed?
  • dansa2dansa2 Member Posts: 28
    Dealer checked vin number, said I had newer rack. They reminded me that GM does know about the problem but they will not do anymore exept rebalnce when necessary and suggested i purchase a different brand of tire to help minimize the vibraton.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    My truck didn't qualify by VIN for the new rack. After a discussion with the service manager, general manager, and GM rep, it was decided (the GM rep has the absolute last word) that they would proceed and change out the rack anyway. For myself, the vibes were gone. I already had the Michelins on which didn't help.

    I also told the rep that a couple of other truck owners that I knew had the same problems on their '99 and '00 2wd rados and if GM was going to let them know about the fix. I had no reply from the rep.
  • jsmisekjsmisek Member Posts: 16
    I have a 2000 GMC 4WD regular cab short box truck with only 7000 miles on it. I have been experiencing these vibrations that everyone has been talking about. I have had my truck back to the dealer 2 times for this problem. The truck currently has 285 BFG All Terrains tires on after market wheels. I have had the wheels rebalanced twice and the front end realigned twice. The vibration is driving me crazy! The dealer tells me they can not feel it, but at around 60-65 mph it is the worst. Seem that it is even worse when I drive it on blacktop roads compared to concrete highways. I have printed off the bulliten that OBYONE posted, #216 and I am going to inform my dealer to check into it. Can anyone else help or have any suggestions.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    The problem may lie in your aftermarket rims. Another owner had this problem when he first installed the new rims and tires. The rim has to be "hubcentric" or vibration will occur even if the tires have been balanced. Another option is to take the truck and have the tires balanced on a Hunter machine. Hope you find your answers soon.
  • ricschricsch Member Posts: 540
    I agree with obyone, have the wheel/tires balanced on a Hunter Load Force wheel balancer. Another option-do you still have the original wheels and tires? (If so, try them again) Did the truck have the vibe problem with them? If not, I'd get the guys where you purchased the wheels and tires to work on a solution.
  • jsmisekjsmisek Member Posts: 16
    Thanks for your input OBYONE and RICSCH. I borrowed a set of factory wheels and tires from a friend and mounted them on the truck and the vibration is 99% gone. The truck was sold to me new with the aftermarket wheels and tires from the dealership. We made a deal that the aftermarket wheels and tires would be covered on the factory 3-year 36,000 mile warranty. I am going to contact my dealer today and inform them what I have found out. Hopefully they will resolve this problem and I will not have to go to battle with them. The other thought is, the wheel is not "hubcentric", so maybe I will be selecting a new style wheel. The only problem is the wheels that I have are Progressive brand wheels, Progressive recently went out of business. I will just have to wait and see what will happen. Thanks again for the information.
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    Progressive went out of business? If the wheels are causing your vibes then that is the dealer's problem, not yours.

    Mike L
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    I think your issue will be with the dealer since these are aftermarket parts and non GM, thereby clearing GM of the responsibility to provide warranty. Hope you got it in writing as far as the dealer warranty for the tires and rims. Usually you would have to pursue the rim manufacturer or the distributor selling the rims which in this case no longer exists. Good luck with the dealership.
  • jsmisekjsmisek Member Posts: 16
    I contacted my dealer about the vibrations and let them know it must be in the rim or tire because of the factory rim and tire swap-out. They are willing to send the aftermarket wheels and tires to a Ford dealer who has a GS9700 Hunter tire balancer to perform a performance analysis and balance on the wheels and tires. This service costs anywhere from $100 to $200, depending on if the tires need to be remounted on the rims to create a "perfect match" balance. They indicated the machine would find any imperfections on either the rim or the tire, including out-of-round rim or tire, or a tire with a stiff spot. I am waiting the final approval of the service manager and hope to hear from him today. When I remounted the aftermarket rims on the truck, I was real careful to center the rim the best I could. The rim is not "hubcentric", so I think when the rims were rebalanced and mounted on the truck by the dealer, they just put the rims on not taking care to make sure they were centered. You know how those places are, everything is done with an impact wrench. Anyway, some of the vibration has disappeared, but I am still going to have the rims checked on the Hunter machine. I will keep you informed how things comes along.
  • ricschricsch Member Posts: 540
    Curious, if a wheel is hubcentric or not, wouldn't the wheel be properly positioned once the lug nuts are torqued properly?
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    That's what I would've thought. Apparently, the front end of the rado is sensitive enough to pick up even the slightest off centering. There are rims out there that are hubcentric. Costs a little more, dang, misplaced the list I had.

    When we used to mount mudders on a truck or 4x4, we had to hand tighten the lugs to try and ensure the best possible fit. It was truely a pain in the butt. To do otherwise with an impact gun would either warp the rim, have a bad fit, or both.
  • jsmisekjsmisek Member Posts: 16
    Do you still have the list of rim manufacturers that produce hubcentric rims? If there is a problem with the rims, the GM dealer is giving me the option to select a different rim. I am still waiting to hear back for their decision. The expressed that rather than have these wheels and tires performance balanced they would have me select a different rim that is hubcentric to cure this problem and not have me back in their face again. If you find the list of hubcentric rims would you please let me know. Thanks!
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    check out this link


    http://forums.pickuptruck.com/Forum11/HTML/004599.html

  • jsmisekjsmisek Member Posts: 16
    Thanks for the info, if given the choice, I will definitely get hubcentric wheels next time. Thanks Again!
  • reichartjreichartj Member Posts: 10
    Does anyone know where to get TSB's for a 2000 Sierra? I tried to subscribe to Alldata, but their list of years only goes to 1999. Thanks in advance.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Except for a few minor differences, the '99 and '00 rados are essentially the same truck.
  • jdgoatjdgoat Member Posts: 19
    Well something new just started on my '00 1500 with 5.3L engine. I've noticed a slight ticking upon acceleration that started about 7,000 miles which dealer can't find. I just reached 23,000 miles. Out of the blue the other day upon cold start up the engine sounded like a diesel for about 20 seconds. It reminds me of dry rockers that chatter loudly until they finally get oil. Now this happens all the time if the truck is sitting for 4 hours or more. I thought these problems no longer existed. I'm wondering why it just started happening. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it cause for concern or should I just let them wait to get oil? I don't want to do any unnecessary damage if it is a dry start situation. Thanks for any advice.
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    The only guess might be - what brand of filter are you using?

    Some replacement filters do no have an anti-drainback valve, and let the oil drain out of the block and into the pan. Sort of like a dry start.

    If you are using an AC-Delco PF-59, then I have no idea.

    Mike L
  • jdgoatjdgoat Member Posts: 19
    Thanks for the response. I've heard that in the past. I know the filter currently is a Penzoil. The puzzling thing is that I've had the Penzoil filters in there previously and this particular oil change was done over 2500 miles ago before the symptom started.
  • lwmaylwmay Member Posts: 3
    have a 00 3/4 ext. long bed, since the weather has turned hot i have a squeek that sounds like a rubber spacer or bushing, it is coming from under the bed. sprayed the spring hanger bushings but no help. anyone have an idea?
  • lariat1lariat1 Member Posts: 461
    Try lubing the leaf springs. Normally they are the first thing to squeak on all my trucks. All it takes is a little WD-40 between the leafs and it is fixed for another year.
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