Shake or Vibration Issues

[jeffziss]

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Edited February 1, 2016 by jeffziss

[jeffziss]

In April of 2015 I traded my 2013 Silverado Z71 crew cab in on a GMC Sierra All Terrain Crew Cab with a standard bed. On my way home from the dealership there was a VERY noticeable vibration from 45-55 miles per hour, and also a vibration at higher speeds(65+). I asked the dealership about the issue and they said the truck may just have flat spots on the tires from sitting on the lot. Told me to drive it a while and see if the problem corrects itself. I didn't argue, however, I could tell and knew that it was in the drivetrain and not in the tires. Upon bringing my truck back for it's first service I brought the vibration issue back up to the dealership and the still blamed the tires. Again, I didn't argue, allowing them to balance, or in my case unbalance all my tires. Apparently, their machine was out of calibration. I was on my way out of town upon completion of service and did not notice they were that far out of balance until I was quite a ways from the dealership. My trip from the dealership was only about two hours to my destination so I continued on and would just take it to a dealership in the area where I was headed. So, after driving for two hours on unbalanced tires and feeling what that feels like there was no question in my mind that my original vibration concern was definitely NOT in the tires. The other dealership re-balanced my tires and didn't address my original vibration concerns. I didn't say anything figuring I'd just get the run around from them too. Anyway, the vibration in the drivetrain was still evident. I talked to my father who has a 2014 Sierra Crew Cab 2WD short box. He said he has the same issue and definitely agreed with me that it is in the drivetrain. About a month and a half ago my dad, a very close family friend, and myself had to run and errand in my truck. The vibration at 50mph was very noticeable that day so, I asked the family friend(retired mechanic and GM mechanic for many, many years). He immediately said it was definitely in the drivetrain and said it felt like a torque issue. Meaning that the drivetrain was creating maximum torque for the gear it was in(overdrive and V4) creating the vibration. He recommended to me shimming the transmission to change the angle of the drive shaft. He said he has had the same vibration issues while building many cars throughout his years and said the shimming was the first place to start. So, I started digging into the issue further and landed here. I read many of the comments here to try and confirm or find a solution. Doesn't seem to be one though. I have yet to try shimming, but am seriously considering trying it after my latest visit to the dealership. While at the dealership for another issue on Thursday I asked the service manager if GM has found a fix for the drivetrain issue and he stated there was nothing that could be done to fix the issue.(FINALLY, A DEALERSHIP ADMITTING THAT THE VIBRATION IS IN THE DRIVETRAIN). He said to me that the issue was with the truck going into V4 creating the vibration. I'm still not satisfied with that answer because I stated to him my 2013 Z71 Crew Cab would go into V4 mode and I didn't experience any vibration issue with that truck. He really didn't have a good answer for that going onto blame the gov't standards set for the issue.

Well, I'm hesitant to modifying my truck by shimming it due to possibly voiding my warranty. However, I may just do it anyway and remove the shims prior to taking it in with any future major warranty issues. I love the truck other than the annoying vibration and don't see myself getting rid of it because of that, but as a long time GM truck owner I am disappointed GM would release vehicles with this type of issue being they've been the smoothest riding vehicles on the road for many years.

I will let everyone know if the shimming does the trick when I'm able to get to it.

Unfortunately, you didn't find this website prior to your purchase. If you read backwards you will see there a ton of posts that sound exactly like yours. There are even a couple of posts that will tell you exactly what the dealership and GM will say.

 

It has been a week or two since I last posted. I'm not sure why I'm addicted to this issue as I now have a vibration free Tundra but I can't stop watching this forum and a couple of others. It's like a car accident I guess. As much as I know I shouldn't look, I just have to.

 

There might be a recall in the future. People are starting to find nuts are coming loose on their vehicles. The most common issue is the u-joints. It won't take long after a driveshaft or two to drops before this gets major headlines. I'm now sure how GM could actually implement a recall, as they don't have a fix.

 

Good luck everyone!

 

PS I have been updating my website! GM should care. 28% of all people finding my website are finding it via Facebook! I don't even own a FB account, so it is having some organic growth!

[tnchevy]

People are starting find loose bolts? I have owned two toyota trucks and the owners manual for both of them tell the owner to go over the truck every so often and re-torque just about every bolt. Bolts can get loose on any vehicle. You make it sound like every chevy out there is a vibrating mess when it has been discussed more than once on this thread and others that in reality only a small percentage of trucks actually have a problem, mine included. You got burned on your GM and I feel for you and good to hear you found redemption in a different brand but you need to move on and quit dwelling on your last truck.

[Gofas]

I've had my 2015 LTZ 6.2 CC 4x4 since May 2015, have about 13k miles on it. I've been driving Chevy's and GMC's since 1975. I have to say this is the smoothest and tightest truck I've ever owned. But, when driving on roads with traction grooves scribed in the surface I do get some road feel vibration in the cab. I also feel the tar stripes between concrete sections, surface cracks and such which in the past I have always considered normal. However, when on good road surface, especially asphalt, this truck is "smooth as a gravy sandwich" to quote Crocodile Dundee. But, the comments on this forum Has me wondering and confused frankly, what the level of expectation is? In other words, do others consider what I'm experiencing as normal and acceptable as a problem? Would be interested in feedback from other posters.

Your description describes how my truck feels while driving. I like it for handling but comfort on concrete cracks etc, I dunno.... It feels like my mountain bike. I can feel the knobbi tires and how they work over bumps.

Now on new asphalt it's a dream!

[Jesse Davidson]

I finally fixed my vibrations today. I traded my 2014 Vibrator for a 2106 F150. I really do feel for all you guys dealing with this. I just couldn't take it anymore. My dealer wouldn't even try.

 

I guess I need to change my screen name now.

reformed ford guy

[Jesse Davidson]

When i get home i am going to take mine to the dealer.

 

I bought my 2014 silverado double cab about 9months ago used off a dealer lot. Thought i got a good deal on it and am content with the truck.

 

It didn't even make it home when i got it when i went to a tire shop... Got a level installed and 33s.

 

Well slowly but surely ive been noticing the vibration..... It geta pretty noticeable at about 75ish.

 

Here is the thing.... I bought it used.... It has just over 50K miles on it..... I got it from a dealership. With my level and tires is there anything that can be done?

 

I don't have my stock tires anymore

 

 

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

Sounds like you're SOL bud.... sorry to say that... maybe the dealer will use one of their sets of tires for testing for you.

[Bayou_Vista]

I wish mine was smooth on new asphalt. My vibration is the worst on new smooth pavement at 76 mph. I have noticed that it's also worse with warmer temperatures and a full tank os gas. I thought it was gone recently with the cold weather but I was wrong.

[Snoringbear]

"Your description describes how my truck feels while driving. I like it for handling but comfort on concrete cracks etc, I dunno.... It feels like my mountain bike. I can feel the knobbi tires and how they work over bumps.

Now on new asphalt it's a dream!"

 

Thanks for the feedback. Being I only have 13k miles on my truck I'm still on factory tires which are Goodyear Wranglers. I guess what I'm trying to grasp is if over 40 years of driving a truck, and having owned too many to recall, if I have just become jaded and inoculated against the various vibrations and such due to road surface. Maybe my expectations are just too low, don't know....

[Txjose]

Sounds like you're SOL bud.... sorry to say that... maybe the dealer will use one of their sets of tires for testing for you.

I bet i can get a cheap set of stockers.

 

Problem is my level.... I will have to get it uninstalled and alignment re done for sure.....

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

[frenchsquared]

I bet i can get a cheap set of stockers.

 

Problem is my level.... I will have to get it uninstalled and alignment re done for sure.....

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

 

Mine is leveled, none of the dealerships around here care. They know that isn't the issue.

They do need to RFB a set of factory wheels and tires to start the repair process. As I said in an earlier post

they RFB both sets of my wheels and tires for free.

 

See if you can borrow some. I would lend you mine, I never used them for anything other then warranty work.

 

Try the leaf spring clamp. Its cheap if it doesn't help return it.

 

I just took my truck on an hour drive around the country roads just because.

My wife even noticed how much smoother the ride was. No shake, no wobble and the rear is smoother then the front.

Really noticeable on dirt roads, the truck is more stable. I was comfortably driving like 10 mph faster on dirt.

Edited February 1, 2016 by frenchsquared

[Txjose]

 

Mine is leveled, none of the dealerships around here care. They know that isn't the issue.

They do need to RFB a set of factory wheels and tires to start the repair process. As I said in an earlier post

they RFB both sets of my wheels and tires for free.

 

See if you can borrow some. I would lend you mine, I never used them for anything other then warranty work.

 

Try the leaf spring clamp. Its cheap if it doesn't help return it.

 

I just took my truck on an hour drive around the country roads just because.

My wife even noticed how much smoother the ride was. No shake, no wobble and the rear is smoother then the front.

Really noticeable on dirt roads, the truck is more stable. I was comfortably driving like 10 mph faster on dirt.

I talked with my girl and she still has her goodyears with less then 5k miles on them.... We both got levels and 33s so i will borrow hers.

 

I read in that service link that all aftermarket dpo dats need to be removed.... Even bug shields and bed rugs. Lol

 

 

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

[frenchsquared]

I talked with my girl and she still has her goodyears with less then 5k miles on them.... We both got levels and 33s so i will borrow hers.

 

I read in that service link that all aftermarket dpo dats need to be removed.... Even bug shields and bed rugs. Lol

 

 

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

 

I have a bug shield, bed cover, 3" level, 33" Duratracs and 18 wheels.

2 dealerships never mentioned those things. The have no issues trying to fix the shake.

They have not fixed it... but the are trying with all my parts on the truck. 20,000 miles as well.

 

I wont be going back to them. I love the way my truck rides after the leaf spring clamp and RFB.

Edited February 1, 2016 by frenchsquared

[Txjose]

 

I have a bug shield, bed cover, 3" level, 33" Duratracs and 18 wheels.

2 dealerships never mentioned those things. The have no issues trying to fix the shake.

They have not fixed it... but the are trying with all my parts on the truck. 20,000 miles as well.

I will try my luck as is and will out it back to stock.

 

How long did they have your truck for?? I only get about 2 to 3 weeks off from work and then its back to 7/ 12s for a lomgass time lol

 

Dealership in corpus christy TX flat out wouldnt work on my girls truck because of the level amd 33s when she had the squeeky rear end issue.

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

[jeffziss]

People are starting find loose bolts? I have owned two toyota trucks and the owners manual for both of them tell the owner to go over the truck every so often and re-torque just about every bolt. Bolts can get loose on any vehicle. You make it sound like every chevy out there is a vibrating mess when it has been discussed more than once on this thread and others that in reality only a small percentage of trucks actually have a problem, mine included. You got burned on your GM and I feel for you and good to hear you found redemption in a different brand but you need to move on and quit dwelling on your last truck.

According to the Service Manager of the GM dealer I was working with, every truck has the vibration issue. I had to drive six 2016 LTZs before i found one that didn't vibrate. I wish I would have just kept my 2012 Silverado 2500 LT. Unfortunately, within 40 miles it had the same vibration as the 15 they purchased back. In my very scientific survey (being extremely sarcastic) I would say about 20% of the people I ask about their Silverado have noticed the vibration. Even if it were 1%, it is a significant number especially if you are one of those with the vibration.

 

As far as the loose bolts go, there are enough posts between this forums and others that talk about loose u-joints, loose shock mount bolts and loose leaf spring bolts that there might be something there. I was fortunately able to absorb the hit on my truck but I feel for the people that have to suck it up and deal with it.

[frenchsquared]

I will try my luck as is and will out it back to stock.

 

How long did they have your truck for?? I only get about 2 to 3 weeks off from work and then its back to 7/ 12s for a lomgass time lol

 

Dealership in corpus christy TX flat out wouldnt work on my girls truck because of the level amd 33s when she had the squeeky rear end issue.

 

Sent from my Note 4 on Tapashit

 

Step 1, took 3 hours to RFB all 8 tires.

Step 2, new shocks seems to take a full day.

Step 3, rear end or driveline seems take a few days. But, I think you can get a loaner. I have several cars so never paid much attention.

 

I fixed my wobble with a box wrench and 5 min. Got a little dirt on my knees since my driveway is dirt.