99silverado vibration problem

r_arnold · July 1999

I picked up my 2000 Thru. and took it for a 60 mile ride ... the only thing I felt was a std truck ride. I didn't like concret roads and bucked a lot... It bucks more than my 74 Chevy 1/2 short bed... of course its pretty mushy after 275K. The Y2K looks like a truck, rides like a truck must be a truck!

scraw · July 1999

Finally got someones attention,,, Parts are slow to come in but they are on there way.. Dealerships are looking for repairs and I am glad to hear that they are starting to help... Way to go guys. The new bucking problem is a new one on me as of thursday.. I worked for 6 hrs trying things to stop the buck... I ended up ordering front shocks for the z85 suspension.. Seems the z83 suspension shocks might be a bit light duty... I will as usual keep every one up on how it works,, Thought I was going crazy with the new problem. The reason for susgesting the shocks is the shocks keep the tires on the ground, so maybe the heavier duty shocks will keep the square tire syndrom down to the pavement... Keep letting me know of new problems and I will see whats being done about it......steve

quadrunner500 · July 1999

You ARE the man!

knobby · July 1999

Great job Steve. You have done more for us than GM engineering will ever do. It doesn't always take an engineering degree to figure out a solution to a problem. Just a school of hard knocks education does it everytime. Anyway, you get 5 atta boys from me. As you may not know, one ah sh*t erases all amassed atta boys, then you will have to start all over again. May be now my dealer will listen to me. Let us know the S/B numbers if you have some free time. Thanks.

ovalley · July 1999

Just an update on my case. The Dealer told me that if my truck was a "horse" they would shoot it. They had my truck for a week while I was on vacation. They measured and tested, sent the results to GM tech, who then suggested repairs and then retested, with no significant improvement. The Area Service Manager and a Chev. tech felt that further repairs would not yeild the kind of results that they or myself would be happy with. The Area Service Manager is now filing a request with Chevrolet to try and buy back the truck rather than try any more to fix it. I have also heard they have made a similar offer to another who went through the same thing. I will keep everyone posted.

putter2 · July 1999

Well took delivery on a 1999 LS Z71 and at 37-39 mph I get a bounce in the seats. At 65 mph the passenger seat vibrates. Whats the story. Took it back to the dealer and he ordered four new tires. Hope this fixes it. I checked the vin next to the updates and got all N/A on them. Is that good? I am not happy with the ride of the truck. Was told the Z71 rode rougher than the 4X4 is this true?

stevo · July 1999

Hello,

Waiting to buy a 2000 Z-71 ext. cab when my dealer gets one. I'm disappointed to see the above post on the 2000 model that shakes. I hoped that would have been corrected on the 2000's. A couple of questions:

1. Do you think the vibration/shake will show up on a test drive or does it appear later (after the sale!)

2. Does anyone think there is a certain assembly plant that has produced more of the problem trucks (worn tooling, etc.)

Thanks

scraw · July 1999

If your dealership is working with you, have them contact tech asst and ask about the rear leaf spring shackle and bushings, there is a new repair that will be let out on a very few trucks.. The trucks that will get this repair will be given special instructions on a new shackle and rear leaf spring bushing, now this is soposed to take care of the bucking on seamed concret highways`the test has yielded good results so, you all might just have to wait a little while longer,, and maybe we can get something done... Bad part the dealership will not be able to order these items, it will solely be up to tech asst, must have eva readings and have exhausted all other ave. Be patient,, were working as fast as we can to fix these problems it is looking good for the parts to be available by the 2nd of aug.. no parts as of yet... good luck Steve

mgdvhman · July 1999

2nd. of August??

Works for me!

Right on time!

Thanks for all the info Steve

- "Wrath of Tim"

scraw · July 1999

I will pass it when I get it folks
Steve

mgdvhman · July 1999

Steve,

You mean at the Factorys as well for the parts?

Mine is to be built that week...any effort to have this never even happen would be awesome on GM's part!

I got a 2000 3/4 .....seems I haven't seen any posts for shimmys on those yet?...or have there been?

Tim

lincoln5 · July 1999

I am new to the town hall, and have a Sierra reg cab long bed,small V8,2wd, 3.42 rear end w Goodyear Wrangler tires. I get vibration similar to what I have read from several other folks. The steering wheel stays smooth but the seats and body shake a good bit at about 60 mph (give or take a little). The dealer balanced the tires but that didn't help a bit. He says he is waiting for a fix from GMC. I have read all of the postings but it isn't clear if anyone has really gotten a fix for their problem. Is the front end hub replacement for 2wd or 4wd trucks? How long have some of you been waiting for a fix?

chevy4me · July 1999

Has anyone had any luck getting a fix for this problem?

ovalley · July 1999

Thanks for the info. However, your suggested fix is what the dealer tried from what I can tell. I have passed on the info you have posted here. They have given up trying to fix it and have filed a claim with GM/BBB to have GM buy it back and let me start over. Guess I'll wait until the case is heard and weigh my options. I have spent a little time looking for another 1999 LS 2wd SB with my options and have found a very small selection, nothing matching my truck. Can you still get new 1999 or is GM only manufacturing 2000 models now?

planejane · July 1999

They have been making 2000 models since June, I believe, I have one on order since July 12 (2000) and if you do not have alot of patience, I would suggest looking real hard for what's avail. on dealer lots - which is not much. We are all between a rock and a hard place with these Silverados (in one sense or other!) Good Luck

ewv12 · July 1999

I have been reading about these various shaking problems for 3 days. I'm getting scared and considering blowing off the Silverado for a Ford.
Can someone tell me what options, if any, are NOT
having problems?

gojones · July 1999

Dealer had a matched set of Generals shipped, (What I was told). Shimmy has improved considerably. However while on a 160 mile trip I noticed that on inclines and with the cruise control on or off the truck would shake trying to maintain 70 mph. This was different than the previous shake in that I could feel it in the floor board, seats, and cup holders. On level highway it ran fine. They had just flashed the PCM and I called on the cell phone on the way home and dropped it off. Engine was mushy and not very responsive going uphill, especially on long grades. Fell in line with the 18 wheelers. Any ideas. Don't think this was tires. Felt more like the drive train. Will post when I know anything futher.

coondog · July 1999

My dealer called today and told me tech support got back with him and told him to try changing the rear spring shackle bushings, they told him that the B-8 bearings were not supposed to be in anything built after 1-1-99,but he assured me that he would check for them when they chance bushings.

chevy4me · July 1999

Just got my truck back from the dealer after having the driveline shims installed. The driveline angle had been out of factory spec.by 4.5 degrees. Now with it in specs. I got some improvement with the truck under no load conditions on flat road. So I decided to put about
6 bags of sand in the back and do a test on some hills. Results : It still has the vibration! right at 1500 rpm. Seems like they changed the trans. shift points also and I liked it better the way it was before ! I waited 8 weeks for these special shims. Still a great truck I hope they get it figured out soon.

quadrunner500 · July 1999

Is it at 1500 rpm in any gear, or just at one particular road speed?

chevy4me · July 1999

Vibrates mainly in 1st can be felt slightly in 2nd, both gears in the 1400-1600 rpm range only. Never felt it in 3rd or 4th.

polaris1 · July 1999

I get driveline vibration when truck shifts into overdrive at 40-45 mph. In reading the above posted comments I went to the gm website and found reprogramming code part number 16264303. Took truck to dealership to have pcm flashed. They stated this was not a valid part number. Any ideas on how I can help my dealer find the proper part number or is this number representive of something else like maybe a data file.

vwbugfarm · July 1999

My 99 extended cab has had a viberation in it since day one. At 7500 miles it had the tires rotated 3 times and 4 alignments. It works for a few miles then it's back. It also has a pull to the right that keeps comming back. There are several posibilities for this problem.
Tires, wheels, shocks, new design suspension,or we are all not ignoring the problem like the guy down at the shop. I hope someone finds the problem soon before I get tired of it and start replacing the stuff myself.

dknick · July 1999

Whats the deal with all the vibration. After reading the postings I am beginning to turn away from buying a Chevy truck. I had made my mind up to buy a Chevy truck but it seems as though I should wait. Has Chevy fixed these problems in the 2000 models or will they be infected as well. It seems to me that people are experiencing different vibrations and not just one common source of vibration.

Could somebody give a summary or refer to a previous posting that explains the vibration problem. Also, How will I know by test driving a new truck if it has a vibration problem.

I am interested in the Ext.Cab 2WD SB 4.8L or 5.3L

Any comments would be appreciated.

Potential Buyer.

gbrady · July 1999

I purchased a 99 GMC Sierra ext cab in June....noticed an odd feeling in the steering from the time i drove off the dealer's lot...you can really feel the steering wheel start to pulse at 45 mph and up....by 65 the steering wheel starts vibrating to a point that it's uncomfortable to drive.....I've been to the dealer twice in the first 800 miles and he did nothing more that rebalance the tires....second time he stated that they all drive like that...I didn't spend nearly 30k to buy a truck with inherent problems....can someone tell me what I can request the dealer to check....are there solutions to this problem out there....

quadrunner500 · July 1999

Gbrady,
They don't all drive like that. I have 11,200 miles on my 5.3L reg cab long bed. It is smooth and absolutely without vibration at any speed. But I don't know why some do and some don't. I've been looking for a common denominator. Does anybody with the 65 mph steering wheel shimmy have the PF9 aluminum wheels, or is this mainly found with the steel rims?

gbrady · July 1999

I've got the aluminum PF4 wheels....also 4x4...3.42 rear and the 4.8L engine

vwbugfarm · July 1999

I havn't heard anyone with the aluminum wheels complain about the 60-70 mph viberation. I was told by one shop manager today that he has been ordering new tires for his customers and that seems to end the complaints. He said for me to take it back to the dealer I bought it from and they would do that too.

quadrunner500 · July 1999

Knobby has the aluminum rims, and the 65 mph vibration. Most who have it also have the 3.42 axle, but a few are reporting it with the 3.73 also.

chevy4me · July 1999

The shims the dealer put in were at the point where the two drive shafts join .Yours is a reg. cab does it have a two piece driveshaft? Also 3.42 axle seems to be a common factor wouldn't more torque be put on it to get it rolling than a 3.73 or 4.10?

quadrunner500 · July 1999

You're right on both counts. One piece drive shaft on reg cab. More torque on 3.42 drive shaft to get it going.

Still, there are about 3 different vibrations covered in this topic. The launch studder you have, the 35-42 drive line growl (eprom reflash), and the 65 mph shimmy (B9 hubs, rack and pinion preload adjust).

But I agree with you, the 3.42 seems to be the more common factor in at least two of the three cases. But I do remember reading about a vibration in a 3.73 Z71, and also a reg cab model. More vibration problems with 2wd than 4wd, but that could be the 3.42 issue since 4wd don't have it.

By the way, try swapping your wheels to the other side on the same axle to get rid of the steering-pull-to-the-right. My alignment was always spot on, but the pull, since corrected, was caused by the tires.

wcelbe · August 1999

I just ordered a 2000 ext cab,2wd sierra w/ auto,4.8,3.42 rear with limited slip. They tell me
it will be late Sept. When I was odering I ran into a couple quandry's. I was told the 3.73 is only available on reg cab with limited slip,and 3.42 w/LS on ext cab models. Not available the other way around. Also The only tires available were 235x75, or 255x70. I will be getting the latter due to the fact I also got the z85 HD suspension pkg. I am going with the 3.42 rear due to the limited slip. I was just thinking that maybe GM has fiqured out some of this vibration problem by making only some rear with some tires available. Just a possibility. Also mine has the standard m30 auto tranny. Could some of this problem be associated with the new to/haul tranny with the wrong combination of rear? Hmmmm?

quadrunner500 · August 1999

Sounds like you're referring to the 2wd models. The 3.73 or 4.10 is standard on the 4wd models.

I think an earlier poster may have hit on one issue with a vibration potential...extended cab. They all have the two piece drive shaft. I don't know that, it's just a possibility.

mfreeman · August 1999

I believe only the 2wd extended cabs have a two piece drive shaft. The 4wd's don't due to the transfer case for the 2 front wheels.

polaris1 · August 1999

Today I had the pcm in my 99 Z71 silverado flashed with new software for driveline growl all I can say is what a differance updated software makes. The transmission shifts smoother and the growl or sometimes I have heard it called a vibration that occurs around 38-45 MPH is totally gone.

marc · August 1999

Dose it still shift into 4th around 40-45 mph since you had it flashed?

polaris1 · August 1999

My truck still shifts into overdrive about 40-45 mph but the torque converter lock-up does not occur until around 48-50 mph. On my truck prior to the pcm flash torque converter lock up would occur at 40-42 mph.

sheba · August 1999

I bought my Silverado 1500 4WD in May and have been back to the dealer 9 times with a vibration. New tires were tried 2x,vibration test performed, going to the shop for front shocks, the rear shocks were replaced. Have contacted the BBB in conjunction with the Lemon Law. Does anyone know of a service bulletin about this problem? Thanks Bob from New York

quadrunner500 · August 1999

Thanks for pointing out that the 4wd extended cabs have the one piece drive shaft, due to transfer case.

ovalley · August 1999

My dealership gave up trying to fix my 99 2wd sb. They are processing the paper work for GM to buy back my truck through BBB for me. Still waiting the outcome of the case. Been about 2-3 weeks so far. Not sure what the final outcome will be. Goodluck.

obearden · August 1999

I too purchased a new Silverado (12-30-98) and have been experiencing the vibration problem at 36-38 mph and anywhere above 65. I've been to the dealer 8 times and Goodyear twice. Both the dealer and Goodyear have replaced tires more than once, Goodyear did admit that they made app 700,000 bad Wrangler ST's. None of this has helped the problem. I'm thinking Scraw has found something on the hub issue and am pursuing that with the dealer. I had the eprom re-flashed two days ago, but NOTE -- this vibration problem is not part of what the re-flash is supposed to address (Occasional hard shift from 1-2 with a heavy thunk and several other minor issues) but I do recommend re-flashing. There have been several improvements made in the program, according to the GM website, and probably some the details of which will not be made public. The reflash also addresses rough idle in park or neutral, engagement of A/C compressor during crank period, fuel mixture adjustments, etc. If interested, go here http://calid.gm.com/vci/ and enter your Vin for specifics on your vehicle.

SCRAW MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE

mgdvhman · August 1999

How many 2000's have had this problem?

I pick up mine Monday and will jump on the highway for a few miles before I sign...

Did it show up right away for most of you?

- Tim

knobby · August 1999

It showed up the day I bought it and then drove it home on the Florida Turnpike. It now seems that the dealer has had it in his garage longer than I have had it in mine. I really do love this truck and the way it handles. I do hate the thought of giving it up (by applying a Lemon Law), but I don't want to wait until I have 50,000 miles on it before GM comes up with a fix either. The way I see it, and only thing to do is to call GMC's and Chevrolet's 800 number and lodge a complaint with them. I did and I got a case (file) number and they are willing to listen. It doesn't do us any good bitching about our vibration problems on this message board, GM doesn't monitor this board and they cannot hear our complaints from here. It will only take direct action by us, the consumer, to call and to flood their phone lines often and long enough just to let them know that they have a serious problem and it needs fixing, now not later.

Whew, I'm exhausted now, I didn't know I had it in me to make this oration. It's just that I get P'd off on this subject, when all GM is doing is shot gunning us with patches and make do's (instead of diagnoising the source) that don't seem to work, and in some cases make the original problem worse. Thanks for listening.

mgdvhman · August 1999

Maybe they hope no one will notice it??

I love GM too...but some of their ways really suck!

- Tim

obearden · August 1999

Mine started immediately. I had it balanced the next day ( to no avail ). But if it is indeed the hubs -see previous posts by Scraw- then it shouldn't be a problem for the 2000 model, hopefully---

I too absolutely love this truck and want to keep it. Just want this fixed.

Good Luck

obearden · August 1999

Anyone with information regarding Dual Exhaust on these vehicles please see TOPIC # 892

mgdvhman · August 1999

My 2000 3/4 LT Sb came in yesterday and I pick it up tonight. I stopped by the dealer and drove it for about 10 miles.....1/2 city 1/2 HWY....seems to have no shimmy's/shakes/or rattles. Is has the 4:10 rear...No Locking Diff. Hope it stays that way!

- Tim

bubb · August 1999

I have a 99 Silverado, 1/2 ton, 4x4, extended cab, with the 5.3 liter and 3.73 gears. I've started to notice the growl/vibration when it shifts into overdrive at 40 mph. Where can I find the info to show the dealer what needs to be done (flashing the new computer code)? I really like the truck except for this problem. Anyone have and helpful ideas?

obearden · August 1999

Go to this GM site and enter your VIN Number. Be patient, it sometimes takes a while for the site to respond. You will get the details on all the flash upgrades from the past. Each upgrade includes all the preceeding changes. As you will see, there are several issues addressed in addition to the one you mentioned. Print the resulting page and take it to the dealer.

Good Luck, it worked for me.

obearden · August 1999

The previous post dropped the link for the GM Re-flash information. Here goes again...

http://calid.gm.com/vci/

http://calid.gm.com/vci/

99silverado vibration problem

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