Shake or Vibration Issues

Tech1 · August 23, 2015

I used this forum for information just like others, I went though shakes, vibrations with 2012 and 2014 Tacoma and it drove me nuts.I've

decided after some good advice from here to hold off on purchasing a truck GMC or Chevy and sit tight for a bit. When I get ready I'm going to check out Dodge and Ford but really take my time.

JacobC1983 · August 23, 2015

Isn't RAM the only one that doesn't use leaf spring, not sure which models do or do not have them, I know air ride is an option on RAM ? I know GM, Ford and Toyota all use leaf spring. No idea on the new Nissan.

You are correct on all accounts, I was referring to the difference in rear end on the Avalanche vs the Sierra. And thank you for the heads up on the Ford as well. I may just keep my Avalanche around for another year and see how people like the 2016 models of the Sierra. I doubt much has changed underneath; it just looks like a face lift but we can always hope.

Besides, they were trying to steal my trade from me at the dealer, even if the truck was perfect and I had no reservations I wouldn't have let mine go for so far under market trade in value and get robbed.

Edited August 23, 2015 by JacobC1983

abominable z71 · August 23, 2015

I sincerely wish everyone the best of luck solving their vibe issues. I finally fixed my issue today....and I am very pleased with my decision so far.

20150822_142219.jpg

Congrats man, I was at the dealership yesterday myself. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. Best of luck withe new rig it looks really nice.

mikegmi2 · August 24, 2015

I currently own a 2009 Avalanche and a Camaro ZL1.

I am planning to go test drive a new 2015 Sierra crew cab short box with the 6.2L v8 and am glad I ran across this thread before I went.

I made an account just to ask a couple questions. Do most people here think the vibration shows up immediately and gets worse over time or is it going to rear its ugly head after a couple thousand miles.

Honestly, I am second guessing my decision to trade in my Avalanche, while it does have its problems from having some miles on it, it rides down the highway smooth.

If you were going to test drive a new Sierra today, what would you look for and do with the truck to make sure it doesn't have any issues? It seems like running down the highways with varying speeds (50-80MPH) for a couple hours is the way to go.

Make sure you also pay attention to vibrations in the steering wheel when decelerating (you will most notice when you get close to 50mph and below). This is due to faulty rear axle assemblies these trucks were built with. Ring pinion gears not correct backlash, which causes vibes.

Jesse Davidson · August 24, 2015

Make sure you also pay attention to vibrations in the steering wheel when decelerating (you will most notice when you get close to 50mph and below). This is due to faulty rear axle assemblies these trucks were built with. Ring pinion gears not correct backlash, which causes vibes.

is that what that is? I was attributing it to AFM attempting to kick in

mikegmi2 · August 24, 2015

not sure if anyone already answered this, but I'm catching up on a few pages, the upgraded tires are the Bridgestone Dueller A/T RH-S 's

Ok, well that would make sense. my 2015 truck was delivered with Goodyear Wrangler SRAs! And I paid for the $200 all-terrain option (option code RC7). Those aren't even all-terrain tires...GM must be trying to scam people out of good tires, and at the same time make up for all the mess the Goodyears have caused.

Service manager tried talking me into thinking they gave me the right tires. What a joke.

I just did some online dealer investigating...and I found at least 3 other trucks that have this $200 RC7 option, and those trucks also have Goodyear Wrangle SRA tires. Those are not all-terrain tires! And there is no cost increase on those tires either (I noticed some trucks now come with Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires).

On TireRack, the SRA tires are actually $1 cheaper per tire, than the Eagle LS2 tires, lol. So GM charges $200 for a 'tire upgrade', and gives you cheaper tires. What a scam!

mikegmi2 · August 24, 2015

is that what that is? I was attributing it to AFM attempting to kick in

I was told it was due to ring/pinion backlash. Also, when they swapped out my rear axle assembly on my 2014, the 50mph steering wheel vibration was completely gone.

It was also detailed in my service records that backlash was out of spec on ring/pinion, which is why they ordered me a new rear axle.

All trucks have some degree of AFM vibe from what I understand, and that was something I was for the most part ok with. Are there trucks out there that do not vibrate when AFM kicks in at lower speeds?

tnchevy · August 24, 2015

My truck vibes in V4 when the throttle is barely applied. Did not really notice it that much till I put on an aftermarket exhaust (dynomax VT) and it really amplified it. I put my stock exhaust back on because of this and returned the dynomax.

TheFactor · August 24, 2015

I sincerely wish everyone the best of luck solving their vibe issues. I finally fixed my issue today....and I am very pleased with my decision so far.

20150822_142219.jpg

Very nice and congrats !!!

Couldn't be happier with my decision also

Love the 20's and smooth as silk !!!!!

Edited August 24, 2015 by TheFactor

C6Bill · August 25, 2015

How tall is that ? They list all of their 4x4's as 78.5 inches tall. Just curious how accurate that is. My garage opening is only 77 inches, the Silverado's and Tundras fit. I don't think the Ford or Dodge would.

Edited August 25, 2015 by C6Bill

Jesse Davidson · August 25, 2015

Ok, well that would make sense. my 2015 truck was delivered with Goodyear Wrangler SRAs! And I paid for the $200 all-terrain option (option code RC7). Those aren't even all-terrain tires...GM must be trying to scam people out of good tires, and at the same time make up for all the mess the Goodyears have caused.

Service manager tried talking me into thinking they gave me the right tires. What a joke.

I just did some online dealer investigating...and I found at least 3 other trucks that have this $200 RC7 option, and those trucks also have Goodyear Wrangle SRA tires. Those are not all-terrain tires! And there is no cost increase on those tires either (I noticed some trucks now come with Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires).

On TireRack, the SRA tires are actually $1 cheaper per tire, than the Eagle LS2 tires, lol. So GM charges $200 for a 'tire upgrade', and gives you cheaper tires. What a scam!

The Eagle LS2's come on the 20" rims, the Wranglers are on the 17&18's, Dueller's are Standard on the 22's I believe the upgrade for all except the Z71's is the Duelers aswell.

I was told it was due to ring/pinion backlash. Also, when they swapped out my rear axle assembly on my 2014, the 50mph steering wheel vibration was completely gone.

It was also detailed in my service records that backlash was out of spec on ring/pinion, which is why they ordered me a new rear axle.

All trucks have some degree of AFM vibe from what I understand, and that was something I was for the most part ok with. Are there trucks out there that do not vibrate when AFM kicks in at lower speeds?

yes, the AFM is present in all trucks, it's just a matter of how bad, it is very bad in my truck particularly from mid 40's & up, Iv'e seen trucks that it is barely noticeable, I only noticed it because I was looking for it, If I didn't know about it, I wouldn't have thought anything of it. My steering wheel and pedals do have a vibe when slowing down, sometimes worse than others for some reason even on the same roads. do you think that some of the steering wheel vibe when going around curves referred to as "smooth road shake" which I also have could be related to the backlash?

I have a couple theories of my own now after doing more testing this past weekend with Bill,

- it was more humid, and the temperature was lower than the initial test, and the AFM vibes weren't as bad as normal, does anyone think the denser cooler air could be helping

- the roads were wet after raining, I don't think that a wet road would make much if any difference, but again the vibes weren't as bad as normal

- I had just filled up my gas tank to the full 26 gallons, has anyone noticed the vibes being reduced with a full tank or extra weight in the bed?

- I swapped my 22's for the 18's (wrangler SRA) which obviously have a thicker sidewall so maybe it helped damping the vibes? regardless there was still vibes, and 18's - 22's shouldn't make much of a difference if any.

fireaxxe · August 25, 2015

http://oemdtc.com/6392/information-on-vibration-analysis-and-diagnostic-2014-2015-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra/3

Your problem is probably mentioned in the above tech article.

C6Bill · August 25, 2015

Great info, thanks for the link. I was told yesterday that they were looking at drive line angles. But reading this backlash makes more sense for my issue. Jesse on the other hand seems to have several of these conditions, if not all of them lol

mikegmi2 · August 25, 2015

The Eagle LS2's come on the 20" rims, the Wranglers are on the 17&18's, Dueller's are Standard on the 22's I believe the upgrade for all except the Z71's is the Duelers aswell.

yes, the AFM is present in all trucks, it's just a matter of how bad, it is very bad in my truck particularly from mid 40's & up, Iv'e seen trucks that it is barely noticeable, I only noticed it because I was looking for it, If I didn't know about it, I wouldn't have thought anything of it. My steering wheel and pedals do have a vibe when slowing down, sometimes worse than others for some reason even on the same roads. do you think that some of the steering wheel vibe when going around curves referred to as "smooth road shake" which I also have could be related to the backlash?

I have a couple theories of my own now after doing more testing this past weekend with Bill,

- it was more humid, and the temperature was lower than the initial test, and the AFM vibes weren't as bad as normal, does anyone think the denser cooler air could be helping

- the roads were wet after raining, I don't think that a wet road would make much if any difference, but again the vibes weren't as bad as normal

- I had just filled up my gas tank to the full 26 gallons, has anyone noticed the vibes being reduced with a full tank or extra weight in the bed?

- I swapped my 22's for the 18's (wrangler SRA) which obviously have a thicker sidewall so maybe it helped damping the vibes? regardless there was still vibes, and 18's - 22's shouldn't make much of a difference if any.

Well then GM owes me a set of Dueler A/Ts and they can take back these flawed SRAs. They definitely are not all terrain tires, and surely not an upgrade either. Right now I feel I have been ripped off for $200.

Can anyone else chime in if you ordered or have a truck with the $200 all-terrain tire option (code RC7)?

Jesse Davidson · August 25, 2015

http://oemdtc.com/6392/information-on-vibration-analysis-and-diagnostic-2014-2015-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra/3

Your problem is probably mentioned in the above tech article.

so from what I get out of this, they know how to fix it, they just don't want to

Great info, thanks for the link. I was told yesterday that they were looking at drive line angles. But reading this backlash makes more sense for my issue. Jesse on the other hand seems to have several of these conditions, if not all of them lol

hahah yes, I do have multiple of them