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Comments
Ron
Ron
I test drove several trucks before ordering one and never experienced any kind of vibration that I could identify. I picked up my new truck last Monday (10/25) after waiting not so patiently from my order date in August. Mine is a 4800 2WD XCab with locker and 3.73. Smooth as glass throughout the speed range I have checked (up to 85mph). I ordered a 3.73 instead of a 3.42 due what some posters thought "appeared" to be a connection between the vibration problem on extended cab 2WD's and the 3.42 axle ratio. I thought it would be difficult to get rid of my '82 RX7 that I have had since 1/83 (yes I do not buy new vehicles that often), but it is getting easier to accept as I drive this new truck.
I have been wondering if the vibration problem might be related to where the truck was built (setting problems on the line or set of bad parts, etc) instead of a specific configuration. Mine was built in Indiana.
Thanks
If you have to think about it, you probably don't have it, or much of it.
11-6-99 I drove a 2000 2 WD, Silverado and noticed steering wheel vibration.
I didnt know Chevy had this problem until I looked up this website after test driving both trucks.
There is a problem here folks. Excess vibration can wear wear your suspension out early.
The only complaint I have is the rear side windows are a little noisy above 70 miles an hour. The dealer reworked the gaskets and it is a little better. Otherwise I'm very happy with my first Chevy product!
I'd like to get some running boards or flairs installed... any suggestions?
concerned parent....
i invite your comments
JT
Concerned is an understatement. I have always bought Chevrolet trucks. Without question this is the most expensive truck I have ever owned. To have this problem is like a knife in my heart as I want my truck but it is not acceptable with the vibration problem.
This is the fourth time to the dealer in 3000 miles. Match balnced tires twice. Determined Firestone tires were the culprit. Took to tire dealer and replaced tires then upgraded to Michelin tires. Did not fix problem. Back to dealer, again Match Balanced the Michelin tires and reflashed PCM module for torque convertor lock up and still have vibration.
Gm Tech advisors at dealership today and waiting for word on what the game plan as I type.
Lemon law??? Big deal. I want my truck and I expect it to be right. Bottom line.
If they buy it back I am out of wheels with no place to go. Ford?....Naw. Dodge?....ugottabekiddin.
Toyota?.......Haha, not in this life time.
See if they will buy it back to keep you from using the lemon law. You seem to qualify as a lemon. I hate to hear about this. My 00 ext cab Z71 rides beautifully at all speeds. My only complaints are with the door hinges/stops, but nothing bad.
To wannatruck: drive them. If they vibrate, don't buy them. Not all do them, I can assure you. What ever you do, don't drive away in one with problems. You'll kick yourself for it. If you're paying cash, make them work for it. They get instant gratification. You should too.
What is the deal with the hinges? Is it something that is immediately obvious - or does it develop with time & use?
Any idea if the vibration problem is going to be fixed by then?
Kmort, I've heard that the hinges need to be relubed frequently. Mine didn't do it immediately. But by 500 miles, it was there. A buddy of mine says (as explained by his dealer) that the piece designed to stop the door halfway is slightly bent on all the trucks. I don't think that they replace them though. My dealer played dumb about it when I couldn't reproduce the sound on his lot. I find that it is more common on a slope (either uphill or downhill).
Samrabbit, good luck. I feel for you.
We picked one up on Monday and it is smooth as silk. We drove 4 1500's on Saturday and they all vibrated. Got rid of a '99 Sierra because of that very problem.
I may have bought more truck than I will ever use BUT at least I won't loose fillings driving it.
-Funk
Here's what's happening: Starting at about 70 MPH the steering feels rough (vibration) and continues at varying speeds. The cup holder vibrates to point it splashes. However, sometimes it will smooth out and feel fine. The problem seems to occur at speeds 70 and above.
Here's what I (dealer) have done to fix: New Goodyear tires, six (6) tire balancing jobs, driveline adjustment, numerous tire rotations, transmission re-flash, and couple other things I can't remember.
Here's what I have: 2000 Silverado ext. cab. LS 2wd, ............... Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks John
Then I bought a 99 model, ext cab. 5.3l z 71. This one was great except that from almost day one it had fairly harsh trans shifts. Umpteen prom flash updates and one valve body later, the problem persisted. 80% of the time the trans shifted harder than my 70 chevelle with a shift kit. But, none of these trucks ever exhibited the vibrations many of you have described. Maybe it's because I have had Michelin Ltx's on all of them.
Just 3 weeks ago, my dealer traded me out of the 99 (pretty fairly) into a 2000, identical. The trans shifts great on this one and it has no unusual vibrations. Of course, I swapped my Michelins over to the new one. The firestones that come from the factory leave a lot to be desired.
A friend of mine bought a 97 extended cab 2 wheel drive and experienced the vibration most of you describe. After 2 trips to the dealer in the first 1000 miles, they changed the driveshaft out and it totally cured the problem.
I love my 2000 model even though the steering wheel is off ctr. Plan to have that corrected soon.
If you go way, way back in the postings, there was a connection between wheels and the vibration problem. Aluminum wheels seemed to fix all vibration. My 00 Z71 Ext cab has aluminum wheels and no vibration.
Good luck. And before you buy a Ford, read through their forums. The folks with blue ovals aren't any happier.
Basically, my opinion on this vibration problem is that this variable pressure assist steering design is extremely sensitive to any vibration picked up in the truck. Another words if you have tires out of balance, rims out of balance, driveshaft out of balance, transmission causing some vibration, suspension not just right causing some vibration (You get the point) this extremely sensitive pressure assist steerng system tends to amplify the vibration and make it very noticable at the steering wheel as your going down the road. Whatever slightly off of balanced part your truck tends to have would normally not show up, but because Cheverolet has designed there steering system so sensitive it picks up the slightest out of balance problems and amplifies them. Take the out of balance tires and rims your having problems with vibration on your 99 or 00 chevy truck and put them on the same earlier model chevy truck say a 94-97 and see if you experience vibration on those trucks. I bet you won't notice it near as much if at all because the older models did not have this new extremely sensitive steering system on them. Somebody that can try this please do and respond to all in anxious await of your findings. Also, has anyone heard if the 5-speed manual, 4.8L, 2wd chevys are having this vibration problem. This may help to tell us all if the manual transmissions also can contribute to the vibration. Anyone please respond it really helps all us bowtie lovers. We all want to find the real source of the problem and not just quick little fixes. Wait till your chevy 99 or 00 gets older and loosens up a bit dont you think this sensitive steering system will continue to pick up more and more out of balance things as the truck wears and gets older?
Please respond,
5spdman
lhyama@aol.com
2000 LS Silverado, ext cab. 4.8