Shake or Vibration Issues

shakey · October 15, 2014

On the subject of axles.........

Google Automotive News---GM pickup launch slowed by AXLE SUPPLIER.

Ironicallly their name is American axle and gear.. Location Silao Mexico. Is it just me that can invision the GM purchasing execs. screaming at that co. to get the axles delivered no matter what it takes?

My truck shakes like the one in the video but worse at times. I really think that it involves the before mentioned "stacking effect" ( several out of tolerance parts getting in harmony) and a bad rear axle assembly. People that ride with me agree it seems like it is coming from the rear. But I would not bet on it. I think there is a combination of flawed parts that add up to the variable intensity that my truck has. It ranges from not acceptible to "keep the coffee stirred or shaken".

Check out the article.

October 15, 2014

On the subject of axles.........

Google Automotive News---GM pickup launch slowed by AXLE SUPPLIER.

Ironicallly their name is American axle and gear.. Location Silao Mexico. Is it just me that can invision the GM purchasing execs. screaming at that co. to get the axles delivered no matter what it takes?

My truck shakes like the one in the video but worse at times. I really think that it involves the before mentioned "stacking effect" ( several out of tolerance parts getting in harmony) and a bad rear axle assembly. People that ride with me agree it seems like it is coming from the rear. But I would not bet on it. I think there is a combination of flawed parts that add up to the variable intensity that my truck has. It ranges from not acceptible to "keep the coffee stirred or shaken".

Check out the article.

I was told months ago by a gm tech I've know for 20 years the issue is axles by american axle corp... I'm going to change my axles and put 3.73s in a few months. I'll be taking to a chassis shop first to have them document what's wrong since gm can't get there shit straight.

Big_D · October 15, 2014

Not sure if anyone else with a vibration has noticed this, but can you take a look at your axle lengths for me? I only noticed after i put my offset rims/tires on. Did some measuring from frame to wheel, frame to tire tread, etc.. Found the drivers side rear tire sticks out about a 1/2" less than the passenger side. Actually 1/2" less than all the other tires. looks stupid. In other words, my drivers rear tire is in the wheelwell 1/2" more than all the others.

Could my shorter axle be an issue related to these intermittent bad vibes? I pointed it out to the service manager, he just brushed it off and said oh its only out about 1/4". It is noticeable..

AW22 · October 16, 2014

9mos and almost 9k miles and still living with my vibration which has stayed pretty much same between 73-80mph with most pronounced vibration felt at 76-78mph. Was hoping after 10mo's it would get better or GM would figure it out...I've been thru many dealer attempted fixes including...new tires, new driveshaft, shim in rear end which was later removed, new larger diameter exhaust with no flapper valve, removed all of the BS plastic "skid plates" , engine mount shim...that pretty much covers it. So disappointed because otherwise like truck and engine...I have read every single post from pge 1..my .02 here is we are dealing with terrible tolerances in Mexican built drivetrain, stiff frame, and a horrible transmission which makes a ton of clunking and is constantly clunking and lugging the truck in too low a gear...that collectively result in our vibrations. Mine has gotten more pronounced in the steering wheel in addition to always there seat and pedal...so fact that GM techs are more aware of identifying the issue, but yet after replacing nearly everything but transmission, tells me this is not a single mechanical failure but a collection of poor tolerances, horrible transmission, and stiff frame. Bottom line GM has ****ed us on a 50k truck, and they do not and will never have a proper fix...those that press the issue legally have gotten GM to relent and buyback trucks yet the 15's have similar problems. See GM has not fixed the issue because the issue is related to many engineering and build problems...no doubt having cheap Mexican parts and labor only adds to their inability to properly fix the problem. I leased and look forward to my 3yr contract ending so I can get out of this POS truck.

keakar · October 16, 2014

I was told months ago by a gm tech I've know for 20 years the issue is axles by american axle corp... I'm going to change my axles and put 3.73s in a few months. I'll be taking to a chassis shop first to have them document what's wrong since gm can't get there shit straight.

i hope he is right or you will have lost any chance to go back to GM for anything even with documented proof the parts you removed had issues they will just say it was within tollerances they deam to be satisfactory

Edited October 16, 2014 by keakar

pm26 · October 16, 2014

Nothing wrong with Chinese or Mexican made parts some say. Well, this past weekend I bought a new 10 cu ft refrigerator. It is made in China and is blowing nothing but hot air straight out of the box. I have had it with this Chinese made crap.

And feel free to read about Ford Mustang Chinese made manual transmission problems. Lots of problems.

Edited October 16, 2014 by pm26

October 16, 2014

i hope he is right or you will have lost any chance to go back to GM for anything even with documented proof the parts you removed had issues they will just say it was within tollerances they deam to be satisfactory

I've been through one buy back and it took 7 months. I'm not going through that nightmare again so I lowered this one and I'll try to fix it myself since GM doesn't care. Maybe I'll FedEx the parts to Mary.... I'll never buy another GM product

1997SierraSLT · October 16, 2014

I've followed this thread very close and GM is jumping to automatically assume the tires are the culprit to the vibration issues. Then, they are tackling the rear differential if the tire road-force balance and/or replacement does not solve the issue. A last resort is a buyback or trade for a 2015 model.

But what about all the other 2014 GM vehicles that potentially use the same Goodyear tires such as the vans and full size sport utility vehicles including the Tahoe, Suburban, and Vans? Historically, GM has designed vehicle platforms so there would be a certain amount of interchangeabiltily of components. My 97' GM K1500 shared the same engine, transmission, rear end, brakes, etc. as the 97' GM Tahoe, Suburban, and Van.

Wondering if these 2014 vehicles are experiencing vibration issues as well?

pm26 · October 17, 2014

I've followed this thread very close and GM is jumping to automatically assume the tires are the culprit to the vibration issues. Then, they are tackling the rear differential if the tire road-force balance and/or replacement does not solve the issue. A last resort is a buyback or trade for a 2015 model.

But what about all the other 2014 GM vehicles that potentially use the same Goodyear tires such as the vans and full size sport utility vehicles including the Tahoe, Suburban, and Vans? Historically, GM has designed vehicle platforms so there would be a certain amount of interchangeabiltily of components. My 97' GM K1500 shared the same engine, transmission, rear end, brakes, etc. as the 97' GM Tahoe, Suburban, and Van.

Wondering if these 2014 vehicles are experiencing vibration issues as well?

No. All parts and components for those are made in Sweden and Germany in class 10,000 clean rooms by technicians attired in white lab coats.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/165595-my-suburban-2015-ltzs-issues/

Edited October 17, 2014 by pm26

skylineflyer · October 17, 2014

So I saw a video where a guy jacked up the rear end, took the rear wheels off and then took a hydraulic lift and raised the arm up so that it barely touched the hub. Then they started the engine and put it into drive. You could clearly see the wobble in the axle and as it made a full revolution, it would come into contact with the arm of the hydraulic jack. It showed that the axles are the problem. I'm tempted to do this same thing. Obviously the Chevy/GM dealership aren't going to fight for something for us, so maybe we need to show these videos to our GM Service Managers?

pm26 · October 17, 2014

if you jack up your truck by the rear differential so the rear wheels are off the ground, they start tthe engine and put the truck in drive and let the rear wheels rotate, you should be able to see up and down movement of wheels if the rear axles are bent.

Edited October 17, 2014 by pm26

skylineflyer · October 17, 2014

if you jack up your truck by the rear differential so the rear wheels are off the ground, they start tthe engine and put the truck in drive and let the rear wheels rotate, you should be able to see up and down movement of wheels if the rear axles are bent.

Yes, but that doesn't show if its the axle or the rims or the tires.

pm26 · October 17, 2014

Yes, but that doesn't show if its the axle or the rims or the tires.

Then you take the wheels of and attach a dial caliper close to the outer edge of each axle flange and take your readings. Heck, even a concrete block with a piece of 2X4 placed close to each flange will give you a good idea off any radial or lateral runout. If you notice excessive movement, you need to remove the axles and determine if the axle shafts themselves are the problem. It could also be badly machined axle housing where the axle bearings are pressed in, or even bad bearings (not very likely).

bogeypro · October 17, 2014

I can report that my new Michelin ltx ms2 tires did not solve the problem. It did remove the knocking sound from the tires at 45, but vibration at 75 is still there.

Fwiw, these tires are much quieter and have better wet weather traction that the goodyears...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14SLTZ71 · October 17, 2014

So I saw a video where a guy jacked up the rear end, took the rear wheels off and then took a hydraulic lift and raised the arm up so that it barely touched the hub. Then they started the engine and put it into drive. You could clearly see the wobble in the axle and as it made a full revolution, it would come into contact with the arm of the hydraulic jack. It showed that the axles are the problem. I'm tempted to do this same thing. Obviously the Chevy/GM dealership aren't going to fight for something for us, so maybe we need to show these videos to our GM Service Managers?

Do you have a link to the video? I can't find it, was it a 2014?