2001 Silverado VIBRATIONS

vpetraglia1 · January 2002

I have a 2001 Silverado that has vibrated since day one.It vibrates usually about 45 to 47 mph.
I can feel it in the seat, floor, steering wheel and if I look out my mirror it looks like the bed of my truck bounces. It also vibrates some at higher speeds. Its been serviced 4 times for this.
I have filed with the BBB and have talked to GM and my dealer. The dealer wanted me to trade-in my truck for a 2002, but was not willing to do anything else. He told me he could not fix it.
I need lots of evidence about these trucks for the BBB. I know vibrations have been problematic since 1999.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO BESIDES WHAT YOU CAN PULL UP ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE???? They told me to send whatever I can to them.
One more question????? WHAT DOES A TORQUE CONFERTER DO, THERE WAS A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN FOR TECHS TO DETERMINE WHEN ONE NEEDS REPLACED.

SHOULD I GO AND HAVE A REED TACHOMETER PUT ON MY TRUCK...
I need some help......I really would appreciate it
Thanks
Vickie

Kirstie_H · January 2002

vickie, hopefully someone here has some help to offer you, but you might also check the existing Chevy Silverado Problems topic, and also over in Maintenance & Repair for suggestions.

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Edmunds.com

bmoehrle · January 2002

The torque converter to the best of my knowledge turns the raw horsepower from your engine into usable power by your transmision. Meaning it allows you to start accelerating slowly, otherwise your rear tires would sit and spin. Hope this helps!

lariat1 · January 2002

The easiest way to explain the operation of the torque converter is to go to howstuffworks.com and look up torque converter there is a great explanation there.

obyone · January 2002

go to this site it will give you the a-z on buyback. Feel free to email Clay...you are not alone in this.....

http://agmlemon.freeservers.com/

bill_brown · January 2002

There still shaking in 2002. We bought a 2001, 1500 extended cab on 5-22-01. On the way home we felt the vibration. This is my wifes truck and so irritating to her she won't drive it. She drives my 2002 Mustang. They did everything. Got new tires, and alignment. Adjusted suspension. Worked on exhaust. They said it was a problem with 6 cylinder models and sent in a specialist that had the cure. He had multiple dealers to go to. He had to fix them all over Tampa Bay area. He didn't fix ours. They then decided to get us the exact same truck only 8 cylinder. We signed deal but on way home we experienced vibration at the same speeds on this model. Which by the way didn't have the same wheels and tires. It was suppose to and was sold to us as it did but the dealer they traded with had taken them off and put on standard wheels and tires. We took this one back and they loaned us a 2002 that had heavy duty tires and suspension. Low and behold it does the same thing at the same speeds. Ours happens at about 10 MPH intervals. We took the V8 back and backed out of the deal. This was basically a replacement with us only paying the difference that the V8 cost over the V6. I wish I would have kept it as at least the milage was low. I also got to the speed that the problem happens and put it in neutral and shut the engine off. It still vibrates. This tells me that it isn't in the engine or exhaust because we were just coasting. They clame I needed weight in the back. I have tried it with about 500 and then 1000 pounds. It still vibrates just not as bad. If you leave the tailgate down to reduce backdraft turbulance the problem in the 40MPH range seems to go away. We took delivery of the V8 model on 9-1-01. I have since been doing everything BBB and GM wants but am getting no where. BBB had Cheryl Dansy with GM 1-800-231-1841 ext 57275 contact me. I had missed sending a certified letter and had to do that. Finally the southeast manager, Gary O'shields, scheduled to look at it. He said it was normal road vibrations. He did offer to give me a fiberglass tanuae cover, since he thought that would help. And he said the $500 was the same as going to arbitration costs him. I explained that I have driven it with a topper and it still happens. They try to say it is just a truck thing. My wife is a fireman, paramedic. She drives the firetruck along with really heavy duty ambulances. She thinks they ride great but won't drive the Shakerado. My sons 91 Chevy S10 doesn't do this either. They have swapped trucks. My sons happy with that deal. On 1-14-02 I heard from GM Business Resource Center, Karen Nixon, 1-800-231-1841 ext 57396. She said she would make decision by 1-22 in the morning. I heard nothing. She also didn't seem to have many of the details I had sent Cheryl Dansy with GM previously. Everytime they act unaware I have the documentation to refresh there memory. She offered us a 5yr extended warranty and that is all they will do. I explained that the first time I talked to her and again this time that the general manager at the dealership already gave us that. I just don't want the truck and it will be gone before the regular warranty expires. It was Sam Polato of Dimmitt Chevy in Clearwater Fl. that suggested, after they gave up that we go lemon law. Karen tried to tell me that this isn't a safety or reliability problem so they don't have to do any more with it. I then said I will go to further arbitration with BBB. I also mentioned that I have contacted 3 law firms trying to find one that will take this as a class action suit for a % of what we can all get from GM. I haven't found one yet but would like to hear from everyone who would be interested in sueing GM with me. I am waiting to hear back from BBB about the next step. I am going to take a camcorder and record the problem. I have about 100 pages of what has transpired so far. I am printing out all I can find on the web. There are a lot of unhappy Shakerado owners out there. I have owned a dozen cars and 9 of them were GM's. They have sold there last to me. We did try again to pick another Chevy model but this time instead of giving us $24000 for the truck they only wanted to give us $17900. They have as much as admitted there was a problem but now want to say that it is our imagination, and the truck is not beyond specs. I will create a web site to let the world know that in Chevys mind they spec there trucks to vibrate and you better be ready to accept that.

ak4x4 · February 2002

First off how many of you have 4x4 V8s?? And due to contrary belief, it is a truck thing. Most of you think a full-size pickup is going to drive like a car. Got news for ya. It's a Truck.

I live in Alaska and have not had one problem with my 01 extended cab 4x4 1500. And I live in Alaska where I do go 4buying alot!. And yes I dod grow up in Florida, so I know how the roads can be at times.

The shaking as you call it is only evident for me in certian situations.

Like when I take a intersection with a bumb a 40 mph. Other then that in normal off-road conditions my truck is fine, And I do not go light on this truck!

keep in mind that the 2wd's and the 4x4's have different suspention so the 2wd sits alot lower than the 4x4. Have you driven a 4x4 to see the difference?? I can't stand the 4x2.

But why did you guys ever buy the V6??? A v6 in a truck like mine. Talk about underpowered!.

And everyone calls our trucks "Shakearados" Thats funny since I live in the harsher state in the U.S. and I haven't had a problem... But keep in mind it's a truck not a BMW.

jaguar0027 · February 2002

How bad are the vibrations? I mean mine does it too between 60-65mph but its not REALLY bad. I can feel a slight vibration in the seat and floorboard but nothing too bad.

I would like to hear other "Shakerado" stories to see just how bad yours is shaking.

dch0300 · February 2002

2001 Silverado 1500 LS, ext-cab, Z-71, 5.3L, 265's, loaded.
14 months and 10,115 miles on it now and it still rides very smooth from 0 to 85 mph.
Never had a vibration or shake or any significant problems what-so-ever from day 1.
I've just added a little grease in the door hinges to stop a squeak, and some adhesive backed felt in the ash/coin tray to stop my spare change that I keep in there from rattling.
I've only been 4x4'ing with it 6 times.

xyz71 · February 2002

Not to make light of your problem - but maybe the next time you but a new truck you should take it on a test drive before you sign the papers and write the check. If it shakes don't buy it.

ricsch · February 2002

"Try it before you buy it" is the only way to go, It will definately save you in the long run, been there done it.

jaguar0027 · February 2002

my truck DID NOT vibrate from the get go. So its either buy back time, live with it, sell it, or trade it in for a FORD... YIKES!!!!!!!

ricsch · February 2002

I was told by a technician at an independant alignment shop that they have found on the new trucks that the tires become out of balance due to the torque and the tires slipping on the rims. Is this bull or is there some truth to it?

jaguar0027 · February 2002

because Ive had them balanced AT LEAST four times. It seems to be good for awhile and then it gets lousy again...

xyz71 · February 2002

shakes on the drive home from the dealer - you did not take a long enough test drive...

I would look at the new Ram before buying a Ford. The F-150 needs a redesign.

obyone · February 2002

Ram or Ford. Course I'd have to stop on the way home and get some airbags for the suspension.

jag-

What brand of tires you got? The 55-65 speed range is where all the vibrations converge making it a magic number for vehicles in general.

For myself, when I swapped out the Firestones that came on my Denali for some Michelin LTX M/S, the vibrations that started at 30 mph completely vanished.

ak4x4 · February 2002

Hey Oby, I am a bit confused.

Wasn't it you that was posting about his lemon 2500?? And due to popular belief, your current truck you have listed as you own is an SUV not a pickup.

I would agree with him though, the Tundra is a good truck, just 3+ grand more then a LT Rado. That would be the Access cab 4x4 Limited. But the SR5 access cab's start out at about 28. That's the lowest I've seen em.

And what's with the vibrations?? I can go 4 wheeling and have my rims full of mud or ice and the car is vibrationless. I don't know where everyone is getting this. I will admit that the balance is off a bit after mud gets into the rims but that's all. At 70 MPH my Rado feels like a Caddy. But I guess People keep forgetting thay have bought a truck, not a SUV or car. If I wanted a smooth ride I would have bought a LS 400.

ryanbab · February 2002

you do know obyone has a silverado right? He also has a denali.

Think before you type

ak4x4 · February 2002

It's not listed...

How can I post info I don't have??? And read my post again.. This time read it slower..

You may see differences.....

After all you go to school..... But I have graduated school and have a BS as well as a masters so I urge you to take another look at what I wrote..

Let Me simplify for the College Junior here's what I said:Wasn't it you that was posting about his lemon 2500?? And due to popular belief, your current truck you have listed as you own is an SUV not a pickup.

I think my statement is cut and dry. So I would suggest reading a bit more careful....

And ryan in regards to the 2500 statement, I was referring to a rado, not a Burban....

I think it's evident what I have stated... Once again someone doubts me....

ryanbab · February 2002

"After all you go to school"

And your point?

oh yea it wasnt a 2500 either. Obyones truck is a half ton 1500 2wd

Just to inform you

plutonious · February 2002

that by obyone's own admission, his truck spends a third of the year in the shop and is a bonifide lemon-law qualified engineering marvel.

obyone · February 2002

We all know you're still driving that one star side impact rated Tacoma, right? Hey send me your addy and I'll send you a couple of 2" rebar that you can weld on your doors....haha!!

ak

I own a '00 rado xcab 1500 LS 2wd 5.3 3.73. I also own a '00 Denali which is absolutely flawless cept for the low speed vibration which was cured by getting rid of the Firestone crap that came with it.

modvptnl · February 2002

7 of 22 People, People... by ak4x4 Feb 19, 2002 (01:51 pm)
First off how many of you have 4x4 V8s?? And due to contrary belief, it is a truck thing. Most of you think a full-size pickup is going to drive like a car. Got news for ya. It's a Truck.

I live in Alaska and have not had one problem with my 01 extended cab 4x4 1500. And I live in Alaska where I do go 4buying alot!.
--------------------------------------------------
????? does this mean you "buy" 4's a lot???

And yes I dod grow up in Florida, so I know how the roads can be at times.
--------------------------------------------------

What's a "dod" ?????

The shaking as you call it is only evident for me in certian situations.

Like when I take a intersection with a bumb a 40 mph.
--------------------------------------------------
"bumb" ???? WTF, you pick up hitch hikers??? You take intersections with your [non-permissible content removed]???

Other then that in normal off-road conditions my truck is fine, And I do not go light on this truck!

keep in mind that the 2wd's and the 4x4's have different suspention
-------------------------------------------------
LMAO!!!!! "suspention" OMFG!!!!

so the 2wd sits alot lower than the 4x4. Have you driven a 4x4 to see the difference?? I can't stand the 4x2.

But why did you guys ever buy the V6??? A v6 in a truck like mine. Talk about underpowered!.

And everyone calls our trucks "Shakearados" Thats funny since I live in the harsher state in the U.S.
-------------------------------------------------

"I live in the harsher state." The way you spell and compose I think you mean the "hash" state!!!

and I haven't had a problem... But keep in mind it's a truck not a BMW.

obyone · February 2002

n/m

jaguar0027 · February 2002

I replaced the stock firestones with Pirelli Scorpion AT's. Perhaps I should have shelled out the extra 20 bucks per tire and got the Michelins

As far as vibrations, I know they are there and I can feel it in the wheel (it shimmies) and in the seat/floorboards. I realize that I have a TRUCK and not a BMW. Ive driven trucks for most of my life, I have had a Ford and Toyota in the past and neither one had this problem.

obyone · February 2002

I had a '91 Nissan and a '99 rado and neither vibrated either. The Pirelli Scorpions are supposed to be excellent tires also. Did you have them balanced on a Hunter balancer? Once done on those, there will be no vibrations from the tires.

jaguar0027 · February 2002

Im not familiar with the 'hunter balancer' Is it some type of 'high speed' balancer?

And.. should I go to the dealer or a tire shop? I would assume the dealer would charge a huge fee.

obyone · February 2002

The Hunter 9700 is the choice of Infinity and Lexus dealers to balance tires on their vehicles....you can find a tire shop or dealer near you with this link...

http://www.gsp9700.com/

jaguar0027 · February 2002

Thanks for the information. I will have to check it out. It would be nice to get rid of the vibration problems!

quadrunner500 · February 2002

...uses a drum held against the spinning tire to measure road force variance, simulating the road. What it meant in my case, was a rather expensive $18.50 to balance each new tire on my truck. But it was worth every penny, because the computer rejected 3 of 7 tires mounted and tested, for excessive road force variance. The tire dealer cooperated. The 4 perfect tires on my truck ride like you are on glass.

It's a good quality assurance that the new tires you buy are round. If they ever need to be balanced in the future, you can balance them on a conventional spin balancer.

jaguar0027 · February 2002

Thanks for the info. I plan to visit a local dealar in my area.

pushplay · February 2002

NOT ANY MORE AND PROBABLY NEVER AGAIN.
I BECAME A MEMBER OF MAYORVILLE AND LOVE IT!!!
MY HAT IS OFF TO GM FOR GETTING PEOPLE TO ACCEPT POOR ENGINEERING AND WORKMANSHIP AND PAY $25,000 TO $35,000 FOR IT.
I HAVE ZERO VIBRATIONS OR RATTLES. THE 90 'S WERE GOOD PICKUPS, BUT SINCE THE CHANGE THEY ARE CRAP! I HAVE BOUGHT SIX NEW TRUCKS FROM THEM, BUT NOT ANY MORE.

DODGE RAM 02 "THE MAYOR OF TRUCKVILLE"!!!

ryanbab · February 2002

"DODGE RAM 02 "THE MAYOR OF TRUCKVILLE"!!!"

haha

txyank1 · March 2002

the earlier model (85-87) with Uniroyals. Every one I ever drove or people I knew (quite a few) who had them, at 45 mph they would shimmy. Get rid of the Uniroyals and shimmy was gone. Suburbans were the same way.

jaguar0027 · March 2002

So I took my Rado in this past Thursday to a tire shop with the hunter. Come to find out, 3 of the four wheels were out of balance again!!!

The fourth was out of balance and the hunter told them they had to slightly move the tire on the wheel (which was supposed to be causing my vibrations). The guy told me basically if the problem persists, its not the tires\wheels but something else altogether.

So I drove to work yesterday with no probs. Did not go out to lunch since I was at an offsite location.

When I left (after the truck was sitting about 7 hours) I immediately get on the highway. Sure enough as soon as I get to 60-65mph the truck shakes and vibrates and the steering wheel is visibly shaking.

It did seem however that after driving for a little bit, I slowed back down to 60-65mph and the truck was OK?

Is it possible that this is a tire problem? Could they be getting flat spots for just sitting for a few hours? It was also colder here yesterday. Could that possibly have something to do with it?

Any thoughts??

Thanks

obyone · March 2002

Do you have the faux chrome or aluminum rims? The faux chrome was known to have caused balancing problems. I would think it had to do with the weather causing flat spots on your tire which were removed after warming the tires on the freeway. If it were flat spots, it will usually disappear similar to what you've described. The vibrations caused by flat spots have a different signature than one caused by out of balance tires.

If the vibrations disappeared as you've stated above, I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts to vibrate on a more consistant basis.

eric2001 · March 2002

But could there be some water in one of the tires? That might explain it, especially when you said it was bad when colder sitting (frozen), but then got better after driving (tire warming).

Did you rotate them? If that helps, it is the tires.

jaguar0027 · March 2002

aluminum rims from Chevy. Funny that you mentioned the chrome/steel wheels. The owner of the tire shop was really checking out my truck. Told me he really liked it and used to own a Rado. He also mentioned that GM was having problems with those wheels and that they were causing vibrations.

Of course now he tells me he has an Escalade! I was like who is better than you?? LOL

Anwyay it was really strange with the vibrations and shimmies coming and going. I will keep an eye on it and let you know in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your help and the suggestion of the hunter.

everhart · March 2002

on my 2001 - 2500HD 4x4 ext. cab with 3,300 miles & knock wood I don't have the vibration. I just bought a matching rim on e-bay for $40.00 & had the spare mounted, the guy said the same thing & then mine only took a 1/2 & 1/4 oz. to balance, he laugh & said he's put over 5 oz. on some even after remounting the tire 2 & 3 times.

richardm7 · March 2002

i have owned a new l999 2wd and a 2000 4wd. both vibrated. we tried everything. i solved the problem with a tundra. i couldnt be more satisfied.

jaguar0027 · March 2002

think its a problem with water in the tires. These tires have been mounted remounted and balanced at least 4-5 times now.

Everhart, I have not heard very many problems with the 2500's I thought it was just the 1500's but I could be mistaken.

Richard - So you left GM for a Tundra eh? I guess that your in a similar boat as bamatundra.. he is pro tundra and anti GM.

Anyhow.. do you really like your tundra? I hear they are great trucks but I just dont like em. Too small in the interiors and they just seem like a glorified tacoma..

If I do have to get rid of my Rado, I am either going F-150 supercrew or a full size SUV.

emthouston · March 2002

I have a 2001 2500hd 4x4 w/8.1/allison. I have about 4000 miles on it so far. It has a definite vibration between 67 and 70 mph. Not severe but there. I plan on taking it in for service soon. I noticed that the paint is chipping off on the interior of the driver's side door near the bottom and my On-star has never worked. Other than that, I really enjoy driving this truck. Lot's of power and lots of room.

I bought two transmission filters at Allison dist. for about 8 dollars each. Plan on changing out next weekend.

txyank1 · March 2002

If ain't chrome what is it?

obyone · March 2002

take off that faux chrome center cap and see what color the REAL rim looks like.

jaguar0027 · March 2002

Hi Guys,

What do you think about the suspension causing vibration problems? The Rado's have had some shock problems in the past?

Also, what do you think about installing a Rancho steering stabilizer? Do you think that may help?

Thanks...

ryanbab · March 2002

shock problems?

I took my stock shocks off at 20K

one of the best mods i have done

jaguar0027 · March 2002

Was it a big difference in the ride?

I myself am trying to get rid of the vibration and shakes in the steering.

obyone · March 2002

http://www.tracyvette.com/vibrationdiagnosis.html

jaguar0027 · March 2002

Obyone.. geez looks like Im just getting started!

obyone · March 2002

There are nine pages in the shop manual devoted to vibrations. When I have the time, I'll scan and email it. Guess you could add it to the list already presented in the above link. Good luck.

ryanbab · March 2002

vibrations shakes i probably got some. Its a truck and they dont bother me at all

It did stiffen up and make the ride much less soft and carlike

2001 Silverado VIBRATIONS

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles