Shake or Vibration Issues

Scott Campbell · May 3, 2018

OK so an update on my truck in case anyone is interested. I made an appt to take it to the dealer this past Monday and drop it off. So after work I drove it home, about 30 minutes on the highway the whole way, and it shook the hell out of the steering wheel and dash about every 10-15 seconds like I was hitting rumble strips at 70 mph. I got home and reflashed the ecu and tcm with my tuner from black bear to put the stock tunes back on the truck. Drove to the dealer about 20 minutes away, still shaking the wheel violently every fifteen seconds or so on perfectly smooth asphalt. Arrived at the dealer and asked the service advisor if a tech could ride with me and observe the issue since it only happens after the truck is warmed up for about ten minutes. He rides with me for 40 freaking minutes and the vibration doesn't occur once. I was super pissed, but he said he would try it again in the morning and see if it would do it. He told me that it is most likely the torque converter and that GM makes them do a fluid flush and filter change on it as a first step to see if it will fix it.

So the next morning he drove it, didn't do the vibration at all, for 30 minutes. They still went ahead and did the flush procedure and changed the filter though under warranty. The tech told me that GM says that the fluid that was originally put in the 8 speeds was the "wrong type of fluid" or something like that, and used to come in unmarked bottles. He says the new fluid that they have been told to use is marked as Mobil 1. Anyhow I got the truck back and the vibration is gone for now, been about 100 miles so we will see. Don't know how much truth there is to the story he told me about the fluid but just thought I would pass it along. The strangest aspect of the whole thing is how the vibration seemed to stop pretty much right after I loaded the stock ecu and tcm tunes back on the truck.

Edited May 3, 2018 by Scott Campbell

Darth_Vader · May 5, 2018

An update, for all of you chasing this problem, think it's safe to say nobody has spent more time/money on trying to fix this.

Attempts to fix:

Aftermarket drive shaft

Yukon axels

Yukon lsd

New ring and pinions (3 sets)

4 different shocks (stock, belltech, mcgaughys, qa1 adjustables)

3 sets of wheels and tires (two factory, one forged aftermarket)

Every set were balanced at least three times

Leaf spring clamps

Brake rotors on all four corners, twice in the rear

Full conversion to 4 link rear suspension

Solution: none of this worked

Problem still exists in the 65-70 range, I haven't put the EVA back on it since I did the four link but before the frequency on the vibration indicated that the vibration was a wheel speed vibration so potential culprits had to be wheels, tires, axles, carrier, spindles, brakes, anything that rotates at wheel speed. For that reason I didn't expect the four link to resolve the issue, other than maybe the added crossmember might alleviate any frame beaming, which isn't actually an issue based on the vibration frequency.

Since the rear conversion I'm now going to spend some more time focusing on the front, make sure nothing is out of round up there. Still convinced there is a silver bullet that will put this to rest, dammed if I won't find it.

Good luck everyone!

Pinnacle · May 5, 2018

2 hours ago, Harlech said:

An update, for all of you chasing this problem, think it's safe to say nobody has spent more time/money on trying to fix this.

Attempts to fix:

Aftermarket drive shaft

Yukon axels

Yukon lsd

New ring and pinions (3 sets)

4 different shocks (stock, belltech, mcgaughys, qa1 adjustables)

3 sets of wheels and tires (two factory, one forged aftermarket)

Every set were balanced at least three times

Leaf spring clamps

Brake rotors on all four corners, twice in the rear

Full conversion to 4 link rear suspension

Solution: none of this worked

Problem still exists in the 65-70 range, I haven't put the EVA back on it since I did the four link but before the frequency on the vibration indicated that the vibration was a wheel speed vibration so potential culprits had to be wheels, tires, axles, carrier, spindles, brakes, anything that rotates at wheel speed. For that reason I didn't expect the four link to resolve the issue, other than maybe the added crossmember might alleviate any frame beaming, which isn't actually an issue based on the vibration frequency.

Since the rear conversion I'm now going to spend some more time focusing on the front, make sure nothing is out of round up there. Still convinced there is a silver bullet that will put this to rest, dammed if I won't find it.

Good luck everyone!

Wow. Nobody and I mean nobodyy should be doing this on their new truck, this generation is absolute garbage and gm is off the list completely they just cant compete. Why are you throwing more cash on this crap?

Edited May 5, 2018 by Pinnacle

Darth_Vader · May 5, 2018

16 minutes ago, Pinnacle said:

Wow. Nobody and I mean nobodyy should be doing this on their new truck, this generation is absolute garbage and gm is off the list completely they just cant compete. Why are you throwing more cash on this crap?

Because I've got a '17 F-150 that had to have $3000 thrown at it because it hit a pot hole and it's not covered under warranty because the aluminum foil shit parts they put on it are guaranteed not to fail so long as you don't drive the piece of shit.

Besides, all of mine are upgrades, the truck makes more power than it can use on the road so a lot of this was going to have to be done anyways, I knew the 4 link wasn't going to fix it, I did it because I need the hook out of the hole.

Oh, and I actually like the interior and exterior styling on these, which I can't say about any other truck on the road.

Pinnacle · May 5, 2018

7 minutes ago, Harlech said:

Because I've got a '17 F-150 that had to have $3000 thrown at it because it hit a pot hole and it's not covered under warranty because the aluminum foil shit parts they put on it are guaranteed not to fail so long as you don't drive the piece of shit.

Besides, all of mine are upgrades, the truck makes more power than it can use on the road so a lot of this was going to have to be done anyways, I knew the 4 link wasn't going to fix it, I did it because I need the hook out of the hole.

Oh, and I actually like the interior and exterior styling on these, which I can't say about any other truck on the road.

3000 to fix a pothole problem ok. Guess everyone has their thing.

Darth_Vader · May 5, 2018

5 minutes ago, Pinnacle said:

3000 to fix a pothole problem ok. Guess everyone has their thing.

Whole steering rack had to be replaced, Ford wouldn't warranty it.

Baytrucker · May 5, 2018

30 minutes ago, Harlech said:

Whole steering rack had to be replaced, Ford wouldn't warranty it.

They may not have warrantied the problem, but at least they could tell you what the problem was.

That puts them one step ahead of GM at the moment. They either have no idea what is causing their trucks to shake (incompetence) or they aren't releasing the data because it would turn into yet another scandal (malice).

Yes, there are examples where Fords have let their owners down, but at least the reasons for it are quantifiable, and when you know the fix is gonna work.

Baytrucker · May 5, 2018

1 hour ago, Pinnacle said:

Wow. Nobody and I mean nobodyy should be doing this on their new truck, this generation is absolute garbage and gm is off the list completely they just cant compete. Why are you throwing more cash on this crap?

Agreed. The replacement costs for all those parts could have easily financed the cost offset for trading the whole truck in for another similar truck of his choice.

1997SierraSLT · May 5, 2018

GM doesn’t need to produce quality reliable vehicles as long as the consumer continues to purchase.

al123 · May 6, 2018

gentlemen,

please consider visiting www.ChevyShake.com to take the next step.

i have been wrestling with this for years and am tired with the bully behavior that oem's use to make their errors our problem!

the head mechanic at our local chevy dealer told me off the record (he did not wish to loose his job) gm made the frames too stiff & that normal road noise and vibrations are being transmitted into the cab... with other consequences.

i believe gm is aware of this & has been for some time. I also believe gm likely took action in the mid-cycle update to address the issue. but this leaves all owners with pre-update vehicles with an unsolvable problem that can contribute to other problems or issues.

one great question is when did gm become aware this issue was not able to be solved in the field because the timing of that speaks to intent and damages...

hope you find this helpful & insightful...

it's time we stand together to stop the bully behavior.

we love our family suburban - it's a great vehicle! & while developing new technology unintended things happen - like vibrations that are manageable & forgivable - what is degrading to the soul is the deception and bully behavior - this must and will stop - when we stand together against it...

go to ChevyShake.com and share this with many, many others...:)

blessing always!

Edited May 6, 2018 by al123

HeyCoach · May 6, 2018

I’m new to the forum, came here because I’m having issues with my ‘14 Sierra SLE V6. I bought it used in November at 36k, now it has 48k miles.

I did have issues with the AFM when going from V6 down to V4 but plugged in a Diablo Sport module.

Yesterday when I was running errands, I would have a severe shaking right after cranking it up, after putting it into and while in reverse, and after I come to a complete stop after braking.

I did notice the RPMs would drop to 4-500 while this would happen.

All other components are stock aside from the module.

BullShark. · May 6, 2018

My 2017 GMC Sierra 4x4 is wonderful if you don’t have to drive it on these third world roads in the great USA. Obviously gas taxes are not going to road improvements. I went through five sets of tires and many sets of wheels. Downsized to 18” wheels and leave the tire pressures at 28lbs cold.

Love the trick, the features, the looks but I can’t stand the ride. Looking to get out of it soon but not sure whatnto replace it with.

I don’t think trucks are made to ride decent any longer. Too much emphasis on roll over ratings and other perimeters.

Any suggestions of a replacement that will ride smoother on these roads is welcome.

Good Luck .

al123 · May 7, 2018