Shake or Vibration Issues

[oneandzero]

I think some posts in this thread are mixing the V4 shake with the shake/vibration at speed. They are two independent issues, and this thread is intended to express vibrations of trucks at speed. it appears the 'shaker's" at speed there is no known "fix' or any definitive cause. There has been many, many speculations concerning the "fix", but most are unsubstantiated and not approved by GM.

Not sure if you were referring to my experiences or not but a guy searching on the net with a truck that had a vibration came across a thread that says "shake or vibrations" didn't realize that it was a thread that had definitely determined that in no way shape or form that the at "speed" vibration is caused by the engine or transmission.

My apologies for cluttering up this 8000+ post thread with how I successfully fixed my vibrating truck.

[zmnypit]

Alright guys after getting serious the past couple weeks of curing my vibration I finally got 90-95% of it gone. Over the past few weeks I've replaced shocks, had a front end alginment, installed clamps, rotated tires, and visited/referred to 4 different tire stores. This past Saturday I went to a recommended tire store who said they would balance the tires until it rode smoothly. Dropped it off and picked it up that afternoon and the vibration was worse. The manager said bring it back so I did and after another few hrs the owner called me and said he was going to refund my $ cause its a waste of his time and my $ that it will never be vibration free with all terrain tires. I'm fortunate enough to live down the street from where the black widow trucks are made and figured there was no way they are selling the amount of trucks they are and have vibration issues with 33s so I stopped by and asked who installs/balances the tires and they sent me up the road to a shop with a road force balance machine capable of balancing up to 35in tire. I left it this morn and told the guy running the place I didn't care how long he kept it or what it cost I just wanted a smooth ride. About 6hrs later I picked it up and immediately hit the interstate. Smooth as butter! I was beyond excited and I can ride massage free now. All this time and all I needed was the right shop with the right equipment. $150 later I can finally enjoy my ride. Funny thing is, the last shop that turned me away and refunded my $ and claimed my wheels where balanced were actually way out of spec. The guy said 3 were way out of spec. My 45-50mph vibration is also gone. I'm running 20x9 fuel mavericks with 285/65 toyo at2s and it rides better than stock.

[GMCSierra4x4]

Over the last 3 days I have visited Discount Tire and two Les Schwab tire stores. Forty eight hours later and my tires have been balanced 3 times, weight difference between all three balances has varied by an additional 4-5 oz. per tire (yes that is correct), so I do not know what to think at this point. The one good thing is that I found one tire's road force variation significantly out of GM specification and it is being replaced. Transmission is being replaced next week.

 

Each tire store stated that the weights vary so much depending upon how often the machine is calibrated, how often the spindle shaft is checked for wear, etc., etc., etc. Of course, each shop claimed to be on top of the calibrations and machine conditions better than the other shops.

Edited March 3, 2016 by GMCSierra4x4

[gbdweller]

I think the reason that there are so many different causes and so few solutions is because the vibrations are caused by stuff that has always vibrated. Every rotating part is a potential source of vibration. I think GM has engineered the suspension to the point of being sensitive to any of these vibrations. They've tried so hard to isolate the cab from road vibrations that they've basically tuned it to any vibrations occurring above the wheels. They'll either have to go backwards with the suspension and frame engineering or tighten the tolerances for all rotating parts. The latter would be way too expensive. I can't imagine what could fix the vibration issues on trucks out there now other than some type of replacement body mounts.

[Jesse Davidson]

I think the reason that there are so many different causes and so few solutions is because the vibrations are caused by stuff that has always vibrated. Every rotating part is a potential source of vibration. I think GM has engineered the suspension to the point of being sensitive to any of these vibrations. They've tried so hard to isolate the cab from road vibrations that they've basically tuned it to any vibrations occurring above the wheels. They'll either have to go backwards with the suspension and frame engineering or tighten the tolerances for all rotating parts. The latter would be way too expensive. I can't imagine what could fix the vibration issues on trucks out there now other than some type of replacement body mounts.

I question what they use for tolerances... who knows, they could be trying so save production costs with shitty tolerances. Also, I don't even think that new body cab mounts will resolve the issue in its entirety. I still think there is something going on with the rear ends that GM is using

[Binobanbino]

Well I got my truck bavk from my local dealer yesterday. It was the final attempt to fix it. Guess what.........

 

 

 

 

Nothing has changed. It rides the same. Still shakes. Owell

[dave07]

Well I got my truck bavk from my local dealer yesterday. It was the final attempt to fix it. Guess what.........

 

 

 

 

Nothing has changed. It rides the same. Still shakes. Owell

Can you post a video of the vibration with a water bottle in the console? I'm curious what these dealers are calling "normal".

[tnchevy]

The water bottle test does not mean that much IMO because I also have a Jeep GC and the water bottles in it shake as much as my silverado does at 72 mph but that thing is smooth as silk. No vibes in the steering wheel, seat, floor, or pedals. My silvy still has shakes at 72 in the steering wheel and seats but the tire re-balance cured most but not all of it.

[Binobanbino]

Can you post a video of the vibration with a water bottle in the console? I'm curious what these dealers are calling "normal".

My truck is a High Country so the center consul is fixed. It still shakes the water bottles but like the post above seems normal. But at certain speeds that shakes more violently.

 

I have the the dealer on my side so its up to GM on what that want to do.

[CCDenali]

Is this problem still present in the new Denali's with magnetic suspension? Eye on 2016 Denali but am hesitant a little.

 

Yes Denali's have the same. I have a 2015 with magneride. I have been following the forums a bit but have not posted updates since around page 455.

 

Mine was previously plagued with vibration issues at all speeds and road conditions (different from what most people complain of AFM shimmy change or 35-45 70-80mph).

 

Had to drive to Houston (Beck & Masten North) to get service on this as the local Corpus dealer I took this too was evasive, did not want to acknowledge the issue, and was zero help (will not be bringing business there in the future). (Autonation).

 

In Summary my back and front shocks were replaced, front struts, went through multiple tire set balances, magneride computer reprogramming and this has resolved vibrations about 80% from before. They think that the Magneride was engaging too often when traditional shocks should of been taking care of the bumps in the road causing a bad shake (in console, seats, front and back).

 

Now that the above issue is resolved I am in the same boat as many other 1500 models which is harmonic resonance brought about by the frame at specific speeds (75mph 45ishmph) or the shimmy that takes place when AFM engages.

 

There were a few posts prior to yours (tnchevy and dave07 to just name a few who have keyed in on this) discussing general thoughts on this and GM likely knowing what the fixes for the harmonic resonance but someone at GM has done cost analysis that indicates band-aiding the issue is more profitable than actually correcting it.

 

At this point I am convinced this is a design flaw in the frame/mounting of the vehicle and issues with tolerance levels for moving parts being very slim now (explains why some fixes work for some but not others). Any 1500 model will have this (including some of the SUV's built on the same frame)

 

Magneride does a good job of handling vertical bounces/shake (speed bumps, etc) It is quite smooth compared to the loaners I have driven in this respect and is a good addition to the truck however it does not address or greatly diminish some of the horizontal shake or resonance that is brought about by the frame and the way this is mounted.

[Snoringbear]

Concerning the question above; does the 2015,Denali have same vibrations and question about 2016. I've copied the link to the latest Truck Trend review of the 2016 Denali. At first I thought about just pasting some excerpts but found the article so interesting I decided to just paste the URL so those interested can read the complete article. While these noise and vibration mitigation features are currently only in the Denali (don't know about the High Country) if they work well expect them to be broadened out to include the less expensive models in the future. So, maybe help is on the way !

 

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/1602-2016-gmc-sierra-1500-denali/

[GMCSierra4x4]

Snoringbear, on 03 Mar 2016 - 2:21 PM, said:

Concerning the question above; does the 2015,Denali have same vibrations and question about 2016. I've copied the link to the latest Truck Trend review of the 2016 Denali. At first I thought about just pasting some excerpts but found the article so interesting I decided to just paste the URL so those interested can read the complete article. While these noise and vibration mitigation features are currently only in the Denali (don't know about the High Country) if they work well expect them to be broadened out to include the less expensive models in the future. So, maybe help is on the way !

 

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/1602-2016-gmc-sierra-1500-denali/

It is interesting that the article noted the soft suspension as a CON. My truck's suspension is stiff as a rock (Z71). It is even stiffer than my 2004 F350 with 9900# camper springs and add a leaf leveling kit. I believe the coil springs and shocks may be a significant contributor to the vibration issues, in addition to the stiffer frame, that many people are experiencing.

Edited March 4, 2016 by GMCSierra4x4

[pm26]

My truck is a High Country so the center consul is fixed.

 

Does he vibrate along with everything else in the truck?

 

con·sul/ˈkänsəl/

noun

1. an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect and promote the government's citizens and interests there.
2. (in ancient Rome) one of the two annually elected chief magistrates who jointly ruled the republic.

Edited March 4, 2016 by pm26

[pm26]

It is interesting that the article noted the soft suspension as a CON. My truck's suspension is stiff as a rock (Z71). It is even stiffer than my 2004 F350 with 9900# camper springs and add a leaf leveling kit. I believe the coil springs and shocks may be a significant contributor to the vibration issues, in addition to the stiffer frame, that many people are experiencing.

Stiffness of suspension is usually dictated by stiff springs. But very stiff shock absorbers will cause a rough and stiff ride over uneven surfaces even with softer springs, which is probably the case here.

Stiff shocks simply rebound too fast and they do not allow for full movement of the springs to absorb the road shock. Shock absorbers actually do not absorb shock at all - springs do. "Shock absorbers" simply dampen the spring oscillations.

Edited March 4, 2016 by pm26

[abominable z71]

Stiffness of suspension is usually dictated by stiff springs. But very stiff shock absorbers will cause a rough and stiff ride over uneven surfaces even with softer springs, which is probably the case here.

Stiff shocks simply rebound too fast and they do not allow for full movement of the springs to absorb the road shock. Shock absorbers actually do not absorb shock at all - springs do. "Shock absorbers" simply dampen the spring oscillations.

 

Shock abosrbers actually damp the spring oscillations. Sorry just couldn't resist after your post about the consul. I know your post was all in fun and so is mine. =) Unless your springs get wetter on bumpy roads.

 

Damp:

verb (used with object)

1.

Physics. to cause a decrease in amplitude of (successive oscillations orwaves).

 

Dampen:

verb (used with object)

1.

to make damp; moisten:

to dampen a sponge.

Edited March 4, 2016 by abominable z71