Axle Problems after Lifting 2014

embry1986 · November 21, 2013

I bought a 2014 Chevy Silverado LTZ and the dealership had a 6 inch Pro-Comp lift on it. The truck has 2,500 miles on it and the truck grinds in 4 wheel drive. Sounds like something is wrong with the drive axle. I don't believe that the lift could do anything to damage the drive axle because its a suspension lift.

gmtech4 · November 21, 2013

have them look at it pronto !!!

they installed the lift so its on them

embry1986 · November 22, 2013

The lift shop looked at the lift on the truck, the lift was done correctly and there was no modification to the part that failed on the truck. It was the bearing on the front drive axle that failed which grinds in 4x4. With this being a factory part then shouldn't it be covered under the factory warranty since the lift did not cause the part to fail.

cobrajet84 · November 22, 2013

should be especially where the dealership installed the lift so even if they say the lift caused the failure it is still on them.

seatec · November 25, 2013

should be especially where the dealership installed the lift so even if they say the lift caused the failure it is still on them.

This.

1kwik72 · November 25, 2013

^{I don't know about your particular situation but when I asked my buddy who is my salesman about the lifted trucks they have on their lot his exact quote was "do you want to see the stack of extra paperwork that goes along with those so we can sell them and release us from liability?" My guess is you probably signed something similar. That said the lift probably didn't cause the issue but once you go down the aftermarket road the warranty is off the table. Be polite and see what your selling dealer is prepared to do, they may work with you or maybe not. Either way lesson learned.}

^{FWIW I was only asking my salesman because I plan to change the tires once I get my truck. I am in the auto repair business and realize I may be SOL if I end up with any kind of vibration or alignment issue. The non OE tire will give the dealer a convenient scapegoat if I have any issues should they want to go down that route. I myself have seen the TSBs regarding aftermarket equipment so it isn't like I don't have a heads up.}

steig · November 25, 2013

Should be fixed under factory warranty...... Without a doubt...

MikeNH · November 25, 2013

Factory warranty may not owe the OP a thing. Dealer installed doesn't mean crap, just hope they'll good will it.

ebackwardse1 · November 26, 2013

This is from Blackout07 on another post about lifts that I started:

"Refer to the Magnuson Moss warranty act for details on your warranty. A lift kit, in and of itself, will basically only void suspension parts. ie struts, ball joints, etc. Most dealers sell lifted trucks these days like hotcakes, so if you're worried, talk with your dealer. Plenty of dealerships will happily do your warranty work."

Would be a good place to start. I would also recommend the squeaky-wheel approach, and if that fails threaten to post on Yelp, Facebook, etc until they fix it. I would put it in a way where, "if you guys support me on this, I am happy to let my community on Yelp and Facebook know about it, but at the same time I will have to use the same voice if you cannot support me..." Something along those lines.

Good luck!

fondupot · November 26, 2013

is it a true grinding noise?

are you just noticing the drive shaft spinning when in 4wd. I can hear mine when I use the 4wd its not a grind, but its just louder from under the truck. Same thing on my 2002. Could always tell when I was 4wd.

crushNchowda · November 26, 2013

I'm astonished a dealer would sell a brand new, first year $50,000 pickup w/ such an aggressive aftermarket mod on it like that to begin with.

Good luck. If they have any decency they should honor any repairs needed, but personally I could imagine a lift kit causing some stress to the 4WD system depending on how everything in the front end/axle lines up.....

fondupot · November 26, 2013

I'm astonished a dealer would sell a brand new, first year $50,000 pickup w/ such an aggressive aftermarket mod on it like that to begin with.

Good luck. If they have any decency they should honor any repairs needed, but personally I could imagine a lift kit causing some stress to the 4WD system depending on how everything in the front end/axle lines up.....

Dealers have been selling trucks with lifts on them for years.

crushNchowda · November 26, 2013

Dealers have been selling trucks with lifts on them for years.

Not in MA. Probably down south and midwest, maybe parts of CA, but seeing a lifted truck in MA is rarer than seeing a lambo.

MikeNH · November 26, 2013

Not in MA. Probably down south and midwest, maybe parts of CA, but seeing a lifted truck in MA is rarer than seeing a lambo.

That's because all the northeast states have worthless, restrictive inspection/lift law regulations. NH law has no wording that would ban a lifted truck but they can and do write tickets and since justice is given to who spend the most, not who is correct, the state wins if you try to fight.