2015 YUKON NOISE IN CABIN

rjm · February 28, 2016

'16 Escalade Platinum owner here.....

I posted in this thread over a year ago as I had an early build '15 Escalade Premium with the vibrations, buffeting, booming, ear pressure problems. Quick recap on it. The dealer tried everything described throughout this thread including 2 rear differentials, 2 sets of Bridgestone tires, on set of wheels, driveshaft re-balance, new MRC shocks, struts, roof bows, and some other items I can't recall now. GM finally agreed to replace mine, and I insisted on a '16 as I had read here and other places that the '15i was still experiencing the same issues, and more what with the new 8 speed transmission bringing a new set of problems to the table.

Finally took delivery of a new '16 Platinum last fall, and it was a breath of fresh air. Only problem was slight ear pressure and buffeting in V4 mode, probably wouldn't notice if I weren't actively listening for it.

Flash forward to Christmas and the vibrations from 30mph-80mph had returned and the ear pressure and buffeting becoming more pronounced. Discussions with Service Manager began.

After some back and forth on his part with GM, the torque converter on the transmission was replaced and A NEW SET OF MICHELIN PREMIER LTX TIRES installed.

Unbelievable what a difference this had made. No more flat spots. No more booming except for situations where you would expect a BOF truck to make those sounds. Most of vibrations eliminated, but not completely. Yet anyone who has driven any BMW of Porsche would find my truck perfectly acceptable. But for those of us accustomed to a "Cadillac Ride", its still unacceptable on certain stretches of road, mostly in the 30mph-50mph range.

Torque Converter all but eliminated buffeting and ear pressure, which occurred 99% of the time in V4 mode.

Finally love my truck again! Now if I could find someone, GM, WeatherTech, etc. who makes an all-weather floor mat to match the Peanut Butter interior.....

Willyspu · February 29, 2016

The tire/wheel combo is exactly why I ordered mine with the 18" wheels and not the 20 or ridiculous 22" wheels. For those of you having so many problems ask the dealer to swap on a set of 18" wheels and see how it rides.

Wrench589 · February 29, 2016

The tire/wheel combo is exactly why I ordered mine with the 18" wheels and not the 20 or ridiculous 22" wheels. For those of you having so many problems ask the dealer to swap on a set of 18" wheels and see how it rides.

What's interesting about this is that I had at least one rental (can't recall if it was a Tahoe/Yukon or Suburban/Yukon XL) while ours was in the shop that had 18" on it and it definitely exhibited all the same booming and buffeting. Maybe not quite as bad, but definitely had it. So on that basis, I was thinking tires don't play much role. Not thinking that now, but I still don't consider the tires to be the root cause. I still maintain there is something inherently sensitive about the chassis and/or body, and any disturbance will excite it. And that's a very bad thing, since it's impossible to have perfect tires and perfect drivetrain and perfect roads, etc.

That said, the previous comment about the torque converter solving the buffeting and ear pressure is very interesting. But again, seems like just about anything can set it off. I wonder how they diagnosed the torque converter? Or was it just a shot in the dark "let's try this" deal?

rjm · February 29, 2016

What's interesting about this is that I had at least one rental (can't recall if it was a Tahoe/Yukon or Suburban/Yukon XL) while ours was in the shop that had 18" on it and it definitely exhibited all the same booming and buffeting. Maybe not quite as bad, but definitely had it. So on that basis, I was thinking tires don't play much role. Not thinking that now, but I still don't consider the tires to be the root cause. I still maintain there is something inherently sensitive about the chassis and/or body, and any disturbance will excite it. And that's a very bad thing, since it's impossible to have perfect tires and perfect drivetrain and perfect roads, etc.

That said, the previous comment about the torque converter solving the buffeting and ear pressure is very interesting. But again, seems like just about anything can set it off. I wonder how they diagnosed the torque converter? Or was it just a shot in the dark "let's try this" deal?

Was just a pleasant surprise/side effect.

The new 8 speed transmission has a serious design flaw in that it produces a loud "clunk" especially when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. When downshifting from speed, just before stopping, it can also give the sensation of "being rear-ended". Mine was shifting very hard between 2nd and 3rd and it was also "slipping" between other gears while at other times was very jerky. Knowing about these problems, off to the dealer it went. Wasn't until a few days later that I wasn't experiencing the buffeting or ear pressure problems. Called service and asked if they did anything else besides the torque converter and tire replacement, since all the automakers will quietly release TSBs and perform them when your vehicle is in for other service items.

Wrench589 · March 1, 2016

Was just a pleasant surprise/side effect.

The new 8 speed transmission has a serious design flaw in that it produces a loud "clunk" especially when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. When downshifting from speed, just before stopping, it can also give the sensation of "being rear-ended". Mine was shifting very hard between 2nd and 3rd and it was also "slipping" between other gears while at other times was very jerky. Knowing about these problems, off to the dealer it went. Wasn't until a few days later that I wasn't experiencing the buffeting or ear pressure problems. Called service and asked if they did anything else besides the torque converter and tire replacement, since all the automakers will quietly release TSBs and perform them when your vehicle is in for other service items.

Mine is a earlier build with the 6 sped transmission. Not that if shifts perfectly, but nothing like what you have described. Still, nothing to say the torque converter isn't a problem.

(Interesting to write how a GM transmission doesn't shift perfect. How far GM has fallen over the years....)

Gdwheel · March 1, 2016

I have none of these issues with my 2015i Tahoe LTZ. Perhaps I just don't notice, but I have had many people (wife, kids, others) ride with me too and no one has had any complaints. Maybe I got lucky. My only issues have been lift gate struts and the rear window trim about fell off on both sides.

ajs800 · March 4, 2016

'16 Escalade Platinum owner here.....

I posted in this thread over a year ago as I had an early build '15 Escalade Premium with the vibrations, buffeting, booming, ear pressure problems. Quick recap on it. The dealer tried everything described throughout this thread including 2 rear differentials, 2 sets of Bridgestone tires, on set of wheels, driveshaft re-balance, new MRC shocks, struts, roof bows, and some other items I can't recall now. GM finally agreed to replace mine, and I insisted on a '16 as I had read here and other places that the '15i was still experiencing the same issues, and more what with the new 8 speed transmission bringing a new set of problems to the table.

Finally took delivery of a new '16 Platinum last fall, and it was a breath of fresh air. Only problem was slight ear pressure and buffeting in V4 mode, probably wouldn't notice if I weren't actively listening for it.

Flash forward to Christmas and the vibrations from 30mph-80mph had returned and the ear pressure and buffeting becoming more pronounced. Discussions with Service Manager began.

After some back and forth on his part with GM, the torque converter on the transmission was replaced and A NEW SET OF MICHELIN PREMIER LTX TIRES installed.

Unbelievable what a difference this had made. No more flat spots. No more booming except for situations where you would expect a BOF truck to make those sounds. Most of vibrations eliminated, but not completely. Yet anyone who has driven any BMW of Porsche would find my truck perfectly acceptable. But for those of us accustomed to a "Cadillac Ride", its still unacceptable on certain stretches of road, mostly in the 30mph-50mph range.

Torque Converter all but eliminated buffeting and ear pressure, which occurred 99% of the time in V4 mode.

Finally love my truck again! Now if I could find someone, GM, WeatherTech, etc. who makes an all-weather floor mat to match the Peanut Butter interior.....

I can confirm that the wheels/tires make a significant difference. I've had 18", 20", and 22" all factory wheels with factory tires installed on my 15 XL and it's amazing how different the buffeting was between the three with the 22" being the worse. I'm currently running 20s with the factory GY tires (from a 15 sierra) and It's still present but hardly noticeable. I am planning to install a set of michelin LTX tires as well with low road force numbers and hope it reduces or eliminates it to the point where I won't even bother with the roof bow repair.

ajs800 · March 5, 2016

'16 Escalade Platinum owner here.....

I posted in this thread over a year ago as I had an early build '15 Escalade Premium with the vibrations, buffeting, booming, ear pressure problems. Quick recap on it. The dealer tried everything described throughout this thread including 2 rear differentials, 2 sets of Bridgestone tires, on set of wheels, driveshaft re-balance, new MRC shocks, struts, roof bows, and some other items I can't recall now. GM finally agreed to replace mine, and I insisted on a '16 as I had read here and other places that the '15i was still experiencing the same issues, and more what with the new 8 speed transmission bringing a new set of problems to the table.

Finally took delivery of a new '16 Platinum last fall, and it was a breath of fresh air. Only problem was slight ear pressure and buffeting in V4 mode, probably wouldn't notice if I weren't actively listening for it.

Flash forward to Christmas and the vibrations from 30mph-80mph had returned and the ear pressure and buffeting becoming more pronounced. Discussions with Service Manager began.

After some back and forth on his part with GM, the torque converter on the transmission was replaced and A NEW SET OF MICHELIN PREMIER LTX TIRES installed.

Unbelievable what a difference this had made. No more flat spots. No more booming except for situations where you would expect a BOF truck to make those sounds. Most of vibrations eliminated, but not completely. Yet anyone who has driven any BMW of Porsche would find my truck perfectly acceptable. But for those of us accustomed to a "Cadillac Ride", its still unacceptable on certain stretches of road, mostly in the 30mph-50mph range.

Torque Converter all but eliminated buffeting and ear pressure, which occurred 99% of the time in V4 mode.

Finally love my truck again! Now if I could find someone, GM, WeatherTech, etc. who makes an all-weather floor mat to match the Peanut Butter interior.....

Are you running 22" Michelin tires or did you drop down to 20 or 18" wheels?

.

16Denaliguy · March 5, 2016

Biggest difference in reducing the buffeting on my '16 Denali was the bug deflector for the hood.

The Zip · March 5, 2016

Biggest difference in reducing the buffeting on my '16 Denali was the bug deflector for the hood.

I also have a bug deflector, however my truck never buffeted without it. Don't know how this helped your buffeting, but I wouldn't discount it seeing there is no understanding as to the cause.

Wrench589 · March 5, 2016

Biggest difference in reducing the buffeting on my '16 Denali was the bug deflector for the hood.

Would seem to be an entirely different root cause than most folks who have seen some improvement with tires. But as we've said several times before, it appears there are multiple causes with the same result. Anything than causes a disturbance (of whatever is actually vibrating/responding) is a potential cause, and hence why we see more than one thing changed result in an improvement. Still to date, have not zeroed in of what is actually doing the responding, and attacked that. That's what I would like to see GM do, but thus far, not even close.

16Denaliguy · March 6, 2016

I've driven my Denali now for a total of 9100 miles experiencing the booming, buffeting, air pressure, vibrations, sunroof leaks etc for every mile of those 9100 miles. Been to the dealer(s) for all the TSB's along with dyna matting. It's all still there except for the air pressure.

The hood bug deflector reduced the buffeting the most by all accounts redirecting the air flow across the roof. This is my experience on my Denali others may or may not experience this with their own vehicles.

Waiting for my new Denali to come in.

rjm · March 6, 2016

Are you running 22" Michelin tires or did you drop down to 20 or 18" wheels?

.

Still running the factory 22"s. I would like to try a smaller wheel, but mine is leased.

I was VERY surprised that GM agreed to change out the tires.

The Michelins weren't available while I was driving my '15, but they did replace the Bridgestones TWICE. I kept telling them the BridgeSTONES might be part of the problem, and maybe we should replace them with tires from a different manufacturer, Pirelli and Continental make a tire to fit the Escalade, but GM would only replace with more BridgeSTONES.

rjm · March 6, 2016

Biggest difference in reducing the buffeting on my '16 Denali was the bug deflector for the hood.

A member on the Cadillac Forums had the exterior roof crossbars installed to carry items, and says it all but eliminated his booming and buffeting.

Edited March 6, 2016 by rjm

Wrench589 · March 6, 2016

A member on the Cadillac Forums had the exterior roof crossbars installed to carry items, and says it all but eliminated his booming and buffeting.

Very interesting. About a year ago. Asked if anyone having the buffeting also had the roof rack cross bars installed and at least one person did, so the conclusion seemed to be the cross bars did not help. One thing we did not explore was the ax act position of them. It's totally possible that put in the correct location, they can be helpful in adding some stiffness to help resist the buffeting (assuming it's he roof making the noise, which is still the most likely situation).

Maybe I will pick up a set after all....