Shake or Vibration Issues

Bullfrog154 · November 7, 2016

I just purchased a 2016 GMC SIERRA 2 wheel drive SLT pickup with the Crew Cab and the 6 1/2 foot bed. It test drove good around town but after purchasing it and getting it on the highway, I noticed a substantial vibration between 70 & 80 mph. Took it back to the dealer on Monday October 31, 2016 to have the bed liner sprayed in. Mentioned to them the vibration problem. The sales rep. had one of their techs test drive it and he agreed the vibration was substantial. They balanced the right rear tire and said it appeared to be better. They also mentioned that this is a truck and I should expect some vibration! When I test drove it, it didnt really feel any better. I plan to take it out on a smooth section of highway in the morning to see how it rides.

One thing I thought I noticed was that at 75mph on smooth flat surface my truck was vibrating substantially but I sensed when I started going up hill, it seemed like the vibration began to subside. I tried to repeat this but it did no seem to subside when going uphill.

Has anyone checked the pinion to transmission angles? I checked mine using the Tremec transmission smart phone app. It indicated my angles were all good.

Has anyone compared the pinion to transmission angles of the trucks shaking versus trucks that dont shake?

Has anyone placed a load in the bed to see if it makes any difference in the vibration?

I've spoken to three others that own similar trucks and they don't have the vibration problem. I did find that one of my friends that lives 400 miles from me, had purchased a GMC pu almost identical to mine and went threw all kinds of difficulty working with the dealer because his was experiencing similar vibration; balanced tires, replaced tires, etc and never solved the problem. He sold the truck and purchased a Tundra. GM has lost that customer for good!

I wish us all well with coming up with a resolution.

sideoftheroad · November 7, 2016

Yes my pinion angles were off. They added a "shim kit" to the rear leafs and replaced my driveshaft. Fixed it for about a month or so then the vibe came back with a hum from the rear end when coasting over 40mph and it shakes even worse under hard acceleration or towing after the "shim kit"

Jesse Davidson · November 7, 2016

Be prepared, with the colder weather, it gets worse.

sideoftheroad · November 7, 2016

Be prepared, with the colder weather, it gets worse.

Fantastic news!

Bullfrog154 · November 7, 2016

Be prepared, with the colder weather, it gets worse.

That would make me lean towards the problem either being tire related.

Bullfrog154 · November 7, 2016

I just purchased a 2016 GMC SIERRA 2 wheel drive SLT pickup with the Crew Cab and the 6 1/2 foot bed. It test drove good around town but after purchasing it and getting it on the highway, I noticed a substantial vibration between 70 & 80 mph. Took it back to the dealer on Monday October 31, 2016 to have the bed liner sprayed in. Mentioned to them the vibration problem. The sales rep. had one of their techs test drive it and he agreed the vibration was substantial. They balanced the right rear tire and said it appeared to be better. They also mentioned that this is a truck and I should expect some vibration! When I test drove it, it didnt really feel any better. I plan to take it out on a smooth section of highway in the morning to see how it rides.

One thing I thought I noticed was that at 75mph on smooth flat surface my truck was vibrating substantially but I sensed when I started going up hill, it seemed like the vibration began to subside. I tried to repeat this but it did no seem to subside when going uphill.

Has anyone checked the pinion to transmission angles? I checked mine using the Tremec transmission smart phone app. It indicated my angles were all good.

Has anyone compared the pinion to transmission angles of the trucks shaking versus trucks that dont shake?

Has anyone placed a load in the bed to see if it makes any difference in the vibration?

I've spoken to three others that own similar trucks and they don't have the vibration problem. I did find that one of my friends that lives 400 miles from me, had purchased a GMC pu almost identical to mine and went threw all kinds of difficulty working with the dealer because his was experiencing similar vibration; balanced tires, replaced tires, etc and never solved the problem. He sold the truck and purchased a Tundra. GM has lost that customer for good!

I wish us all well with coming up with a resolution.

After reading all the comments on this site, I'm going to request the dealer to load balance the tires, preferably with me there!

Jed Blanks · November 7, 2016

This is an interesting post from Corvette Forum where a Chevy Engineer says vibration can be ring gear in differential and its common in trucks...

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-z06-discussion/3882807-c7-z06-engine-loping-2.html#post1593159405

sideoftheroad · November 7, 2016

Some situations it is the tires but in my case I can guarantee it's the rearend.

Jesse Davidson · November 7, 2016

That would make me lean towards the problem either being tire related.

Temperature and humidity affects everything, not just tires, you might also notice your steering column/ wheel get a more firm feel to it. fluids change viscosity, metallurgy changes. Temp will literally affect every aspect of the vehicles. I can also guarantee that its not tires, they have been replaced 3 times

Amuro · November 7, 2016

I've read a lot of the post on here and my issue a strange vibration around 80-90mph when gunning it. I did get the balanace and rotation done and helped while cruising at 70-80mph. So while driving normal (70-80mph) no vibration at all, really smooth drive but when hitting the eccelarator and gear down shifting getting up to 90mph, I feel a vibration in the rear end which is bothering the hell out of me. It's not a huge vibration but noticeable at those speeds. Wheels are already balanced and rotated and from one person fix was getting the driveshaft checked out and balanced/ fixed.

Also I recently installed RC 2.5" leveling lift kit but I highly doubt the lift kit is causing a vibration while getting on the accelerator at 80-90mph.

daleone3 · November 7, 2016

I will speak with my family member tonight and get specific info an post for you guys and see if they have a resolution in the works.

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Willyone · November 7, 2016

I will speak with my family member tonight and get specific info an post for you guys and see if they have a resolution in the works.

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Thanks - That would be great!!

dealmstr218 · November 7, 2016

Just wanted to relate my experience with a bad vibration. My truck is a 2015 GMC 1500 LWB with General 17" tires. Standard truck with a 5.3. Checked the tires and found a rear tire with a shifted belt and thought it would be the cause since the vibration was felt in the seat. $188 later it was not the cause. Took it to a Chevy dealer 3 times in St Augustine. Balanced the tires 2x and then blamed the Leer cap that I had. Sold the cap. They charged me $53 for that diagnosis. Didn't help. Took it twice to a Jacksonville dealer that messed w the tires twice and even gave me a new tire. Didn't help.

Both dealers told me that I had to live with the vibration that was constant from 65 to 75. Since I don't give up easily and knew the truck definitely had a problem I took it back to an independent mechanic.. Running on the lift the driveshaft was visibly bent. .35 in the middle. 07 and .10 on the ends. It has a label on the shaft saying it was built by AAM. No damage was visible of any type. Even though I asked each dealer to check the driveshaft its GM's policy to not check them. They told me that the customer can remove and check it and if its bad they will replace it.

Stay tuned and I will follow up when the truck goes in Nov 18.

daleone3 · November 7, 2016

Thanks - That would be great!!

Here is the update on what they are seeing, he said that seven out of 10 of them tend to be fine, It tends to be more common in different configurations long beds extended cabs double cabs they think it might be related to issues with driveshaft which he said is The longest they have ever been. There is some truth to the issue being caused by tires specifically 22 inch wheel packages with Bridge stone or continentals mounted on them. They have rectified the problem in some instances by putting Michelin's on them. There was some discussion about a bulletin coming out related to the ring gear not being in specification, unacceptable variances on the teeth causing a vibration at speeds. Some of you may know this but GM will put out a bulletin ahead of a recall, if the vehicle comes in with the problem they can fix it per the bulletin but it saves them the money of doing a full recall. He feels there are secondary issues with GM putting too large and too wide of a tire on the truck that is not designed for it but that is more of his opinion. I would be curious as to how many folks with this problem have Bridgestone or continental tires, that may be the best place to start in terms of fixing it, get those tires off and have your dealer spring for Michelin's or a better tire.

GM is keeping a close eye on this but they do not want to address it in mass, and will continue to push the dealers to go with the tire balance agenda

Good luck, I think I will continue to drive my 2006 Silverado for long as I can

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daleone3 · November 8, 2016

Bottom line is GM is tight lipped on what the problem might be and that likely means it is a defective part or configuration issue due to the cost of going public. Especially with 1000's of these still on their lots

Could be a ring gear issue exaggerated by poor quality tires or a drive shaft balance issue. I don't think he knows and GM ain't talking. The dealer wanted to go thru and evaluate remaining new inventory and try to address it prior but GM zone guy said not to touch them until they are sold. Not surprised about that

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