Shake or Vibration Issues

LSK · February 5, 2015

Whether or not the red dots were lined up with the valve stems should not really make any difference if the wheels were balanced properly by a competent outfit. What you unfortunately are describing is what I have been suspecting all along - that many outfits are not capable of properly balancing wheels no matter what the equipment. I think if they used the old day bubble static balancers, the results would be a lot better.

The dots mark the high spot in the tire and the stem is the thin part in the rim. Imagine each is shaped like an egg. Matching them "rounds" the assembly. Like I told the dealer when they said big deal; you can balance a square but it'll ride like crap.

seansharley · February 6, 2015

I've posted this before. 2014 crew cab 4x4 6.2 3.42. Bought the truck brand new, had the 70+ vib immediately, after dealer rf balanced, they replaced 2 good years. Vib better, but not 100% gone. Dealer installed Michelin 275/55/20 vib gone for about 5,000 miles. I did some research, every other truck I've had had LT tires, not P tires, it's my belief the manufactures run p tires for ride, and mileage. I decided to level/ lift my truck, and install 305/55/20 nitto Lt trail grapplers. Problem solved, have almost 30,000 miles on it now, owned it one year, dealer did a couple recalls while performing my free service, and gave me a vehicle to drive while doing so. This is one of the best trucks I've owned, out performs anything else out there, and in comfort. I would say that's a far cry from a P.O.S.

seansharley · February 6, 2015

On a side note, I'm not here to argue, or bash anyone. Hopefully my experience will help others. I gathered my info from experts, IMO, dealers are NOT experts at tires, they offered to mount/balance/install my tires for free, I chose to pay a shop that specializes in tires, and alignment. Would you call an electrician to fix a plumbing problem? Lol.. Hope this helps, and keep your negative comments to yourself

DenaliDually · February 6, 2015

I have read many of your comments, and I've decided to join the conversation.

I hesistantly traded my (new body style) perfectly operating 07 Silverado for this ALL NEW 14 Silverado in May. I noticed to vibration immediately during the test drive but the salesman assured me that it was a result of flat spots caused by sitting on the lot.

As a result of reading this forum, I decided to take it in 2 weeks ago to have this rhythmic vibration crap diagnosed. It has now been at the dealer for 2 weeks and 2 days.

I have been told that they recently received a machine that pinpoints the origin of the vibrations. This machine led them to inspect the rear end. The guy told me that one of the gears in the rear end was "ground backwards" from production. How does that happen?

Anyways, they are now replacing this gear. I'm very curious to see if this solves the problem. I have been a Proud Chevy man , like my daddy, since I was a kid. It's in my blood. However, this issue has put I very very bad taste in my mouth.

I was annoyed after I got my "American" made truck home and noticed it was manufactured in Mexico. Now, it rattles my teeth out. The cherry on top is the fact that Chevy released 2015's with the same issue. I am EXTREMELY disappointed in Chevrolet, and I really do hope my truck is fixed when I get it back.

Keep us posted....

2015 Denali 3500 DRW, Michelin ltx, 4x4

pm26 · February 6, 2015

The dots mark the high spot in the tire and the stem is the thin part in the rim. Imagine each is shaped like an egg. Matching them "rounds" the assembly. Like I told the dealer when they said big deal; you can balance a square but it'll ride like crap.

Yes, but it has been my experience that with good quality tires, it really does not matter where that dot is, provided the tires are pretty much round (have low to mid road force variation) and are balanced correctly. When you get a marginal tire, I guess it does matter. And it is safe to say that quality of tires has gone down hill in the last few years. I believe that what they previously designated as a 'blem" and separated from other tires, is now a "perfectly good tire", unless the customer complaints.

Edited February 6, 2015 by pm26

findingnewvibratingroads · February 6, 2015

Keep us posted....

2015 Denali 3500 DRW, Michelin ltx, 4x4

I will. I was told last week that I would hear from them Monday or Tuesday of this week. However, I guess replacing the gear in the rear end did not work because I have not heard a word from them. This coming Monday marks 3 straight week that my BRAND NEW TRUCK has been in the Service department. They did acknowledge that a problem exists, and they seem to be diligently searching for the remedy. However, I am not sure that one exists for my case in particular.

2015 Denali 3500 DRW, Michelin ltx, 4x4

My truck's vibration is felt at all speeds, but at 50 mph it is the most noticeable. The thing that makes the vibration so annoying is that it's an intermittent vibration. This is hard to explain but while driving down the road I feel this: vibrate...smooth....vibrate...smooth...vibrate..It vibrates in about one second intervals. I think I would rather it just vibrate the whole time!!

I'm really glad that my dealer has kept it this long because if I am not mistaken, four weeks in the shop for the same issue qualifies me for the lemon law automatically.

Edited February 6, 2015 by findingnewvibratingroads

findingnewvibratingroads · February 6, 2015

OOPS! I did not mean to post that 4 times. Please forgive me!!

pm26 · February 6, 2015

OOPS! I did not mean to post that 4 times. Please forgive me!!

You can go back and edit your post. Just delete the last three repeat messages and save.

pm26 · February 6, 2015

I was annoyed after I got my "American" made truck home and noticed it was manufactured in Mexico. Now, it rattles my teeth out. The cherry on top is the fact that Chevy released 2015's with the same issue. I am EXTREMELY disappointed in Chevrolet, and I really do hope my truck is fixed when I get it back.

The other day i was looking at new Honda cars at the local dealership. There were two new 2015 Honda Fits parked side by side. On one of them I noticed that the gaps between the fenders and the front doors were uneven on both sides. This seemed very odd, because I have never seen such defects on Honda cars before and Honda prides itself on good quality. Also, Honda Fits have been made in Japan for years. When I looked at the sticker, it said: "Assembled in Mexico". And the sticker price was higher than that on Honda Fits previously made in Japan.

Edited February 6, 2015 by pm26

raymososgarage · February 6, 2015

hi. this is my first post regarding my 2014 GMC vibrations.

purchased in September 2014 with 7 miles .

returned to dealer for remote start and vibration at 72-75 mph felt in the seats and console. pretty violent. I was amazed that GM would let a truck like that be delivered.

road force balanced tires. vibration still present , but somewhat better.

2ned visit to dealer tires and wheels swapped out with set from another truck.

vibration still there.

3rd visit to dealer road forced balanced again. no change

4th visit to dealer driveshaft swapped out with shaft from another truck. vibration much better at 72-75 mph, but vibration felt in steering wheel and floorboard at 50 mph mostly while decelerating . felt like a bad u joint.

5th visit to dealer it was determined that ring and pinion was out of spec. parts were on backorder.

6th visit to dealer ring and pinion were replaced and vibration was 99% eliminated. I still have a minor vibration at 86 to 90 MPH that feels like a tire issue. new oversized tires and wheels are planned for this spring.

my truck finally drives as it should.

Silverado-Hareek · February 6, 2015

Yes, but it has been my experience that with good quality tires, it really does not matter where that dot is, provided the tires are pretty much round (have low to mid road force variation) and are balanced correctly. When you get a marginal tire, I guess it does matter. And it is safe to say that quality of tires has gone down hill in the last few years. I believe that what they previously designated as a 'blem" and separated from other tires, is now a "perfectly good tire", unless the customer complaints.

I've learned over the years from personal experience that if you buy cheap tires, you'll have a lot of weights on the rim to achieve balance. Buy more expensive quality tires and there will be less weighst on the rim. That is a completely un-scientific observation of my one truck and 3 sets of tires so take it for what it's worth. I'll be springing for BF Goodrich or Michelin tires as soon as these Goodyears are ready for replacement.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Silverado-Hareek

pm26 · February 6, 2015

Delete

Edited February 6, 2015 by pm26

pm26 · February 6, 2015

hi. this is my first post regarding my 2014 GMC vibrations.

purchased in September 2014 with 7 miles .

returned to dealer for remote start and vibration at 72-75 mph felt in the seats and console. pretty violent. I was amazed that GM would let a truck like that be delivered.

road force balanced tires. vibration still present , but somewhat better.

2ned visit to dealer tires and wheels swapped out with set from another truck.

vibration still there.

3rd visit to dealer road forced balanced again. no change

4th visit to dealer driveshaft swapped out with shaft from another truck. vibration much better at 72-75 mph, but vibration felt in steering wheel and floorboard at 50 mph mostly while decelerating . felt like a bad u joint.

5th visit to dealer it was determined that ring and pinion was out of spec. parts were on backorder.

6th visit to dealer ring and pinion were replaced and vibration was 99% eliminated. I still have a minor vibration at 86 to 90 MPH that feels like a tire issue. new oversized tires and wheels are planned for this spring.

my truck finally drives as it should.

Regarding the pinion and ring gears, it appears that the common problem here is the loose pinion shaft nut and improper preload on the pinion shaft bearings, which then causes the pinion shaft and its gear to move forward when under load, and then move back as the load is decreased (foot off the accelerator). Pinion and ring gears are helical and because of this design, substantial forward thrust is created when under load. This forward thrust must be properly resisted by adequately restrained pinion shaft. If the pinion shaft is loose, the pinion gear exerts high pressure on the ring gear teeth. Then as the load decreases (less throttle or coasting) , the forward thrust pressure on the ring gear decreases. This could explain vibration under load.

It is possible that this condition causes rapid wear of both pinion and ring gears and when these are examined, they are considered "out of spec". It is hard to imagine how gears could be machined so wrong as most modern gear cutting milling machines are fully automatic and rarely depend on the operator's skill.

Edited February 6, 2015 by pm26

mjj · February 6, 2015

Regarding the pinion and ring gears, it appears that the common problem here is the loose pinion shaft nut and improper preload on the pinion shaft bearings, which then causes the pinion shaft and its gear to move forward when under load, and then move back as the load is decreased (foot off the accelerator). Pinion and ring gears are helical and because of this design, substantial forward thrust is created when under load. This forward thrust must be properly resisted by adequately restrained pinion shaft. If the pinion shaft is loose, the pinion gear exerts high pressure on the ring gear teeth. Then as the load decreases (less throttle or coasting) , the forward thrust pressure on the ring gear decreases. This could explain vibration under load.

It is possible that this condition causes rapid wear of both pinion and ring gears and when these are examined, they are considered "out of spec". It is hard to imagine how gears could be machined so wrong as most modern gear cutting milling machines are fully automatic and rarely depend on the operator's skill.

This explanation seems to make sense for my 70+ vibrvibration as I always seems to notice it more when accelerating and especially accelerating up hill at that 70+ speeds. I tend to notice the vibration the worst through the gas pedal but the can feel the whole truck slightly shake while accelerating up hill. Anyone else experience the up hill vibrating more than flat driving?

keakar · February 6, 2015

The dots mark the high spot in the tire and the stem is the thin part in the rim. Imagine each is shaped like an egg. Matching them "rounds" the assembly. Like I told the dealer when they said big deal; you can balance a square but it'll ride like crap.

well it is my understanding the red dot marks the heavy side of the tire since no tire is in balance as made so by setting it 180 from the valve stem the added weight of the valve stem helps cancel out this heavy side so its more in balance as assembled before you try to balance it on the machine.

whichever is the case the point is the same. red dot ALWAYS goes exactly opposite side of rim from the valve stem.

also in the old days the tire had a DOT stamp melted into it and that was they mark they used to mark the spot in the past.

all the red dot does is help reduce the amount of weight needed to balance the tire on the rim but I see it more as a sharp example of "just don't give a damn" when something that stands out so obvious a blind man can see it is overlooked and most likely the idiots putting tires on rims were never even educated as to what the red dot is or why it is even there.

I mean its ok for us not to know what its there for (most people never do) but if its your job to put tires on rims, its about as important thing to teach as there is about the job

Edited February 6, 2015 by keakar