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Vibration while downshifting at highway speeds after Bilstein Level

Coastalman

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Coastalman Enthusiast

Coastalman

Posted
Posted

I've searched and searched and probably not searching the right ways but here's my problem.

 

I had the 5100 series Bilsteins installed on my truck last night, put them to the highest setting and over all was pleased with everything... Until I "got on it" on the highway and felt a vibration while downshifting. As soon as steep on it it while at speeds 65 and over itll downshift and starts to vibrate. As soon as I let off it goes away. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue, this was something I was expecting if I went with the larger RC Kit, not with the Bilsteins.

 

Truck is a 2016 Z71 5.3 with 6 speed with 1,000 miles on it.

 

Any help or direction to the right place is appreciated.

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

The only thing that comes to mind is either turn the shocks to their lowest lift, or return the truck to stock, then re-test. Also, check all your bolt torque on anything that was loosened or removed to install the level.

Dndodd Enthusiast

Dndodd

Posted
Posted

When I installed just the front 5100's on the highest level. The truck road better and vibrated less. Added the rears and it does stiffen everything up adding a little vibration IMO. But I did expect this outcome.

 

IMO this adds credence to what I have read in other threads about the rear end being a potential source of vibration in these trucks.

 

But I also have changed tires from Goodyear LS2's to Goodyear AT advantage and I feel they may be a little out of round but not out of balance. The LS2 is a lousy tire IMO. The AT is a much better tire.

I think what I need is a good set of Michelins but I want to get at least 30,000 put of these Goodyears.

 

My next experiment, early next week, is to to put the stock rear shocks back on and see if I like that ride better.

 

Have a little over 2,000 miles on the truck 600-800 miles on the Bilstein 5100's.

Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

I've searched and searched and probably not searching the right ways but here's my problem.

 

I had the 5100 series Bilsteins installed on my truck last night, put them to the highest setting and over all was pleased with everything... Until I "got on it" on the highway and felt a vibration while downshifting. As soon as steep on it it while at speeds 65 and over itll downshift and starts to vibrate. As soon as I let off it goes away. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue, this was something I was expecting if I went with the larger RC Kit, not with the Bilsteins.

 

Truck is a 2016 Z71 5.3 with 6 speed with 1,000 miles on it.

 

Any help or direction to the right place is appreciated.

You said you would expect this from the "larger RC Kit". Why? I suspect the reasons would apply to both brands of lift. I look forward to hearing if 15HDriver's suggestion to check bolt torques solves the problem or if other members have a solution before I install my leveling kit!

Trying the shocks again at the lowest setting would be a lot of work and require another alignment. If it still behaved badly would this be the truck or the shocks causing the vibration? Are you sure you tried driving the truck in the same manner before the install? Maybe it always did this!

A question and/or thought I've had is how do level kits impact such things as "hill assist" features on these trucks? By leveling our trucks we may be altering more than the looks. Maybe your vibration under rapid acceleration is electrical rather than mechanical..... I hope it is a loose bolt!!!

Coastalman Enthusiast

Coastalman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for all the replies. I took it back and they re checked everything and re tightened everything. Still does it. It's very slight but you can feel it. I know I drove in a similar manner before the lift, and never felt anything. Can't quite seem to figure it out.

Dndodd Enthusiast

Dndodd

Posted
Posted

When I installed just the front 5100's on the highest level. The truck road better and vibrated less. Added the rears and it does stiffen everything up adding a little vibration IMO. But I did expect this outcome.

 

IMO this adds credence to what I have read in other threads about the rear end being a potential source of vibration in these trucks.

 

But I also have changed tires from Goodyear LS2's to Goodyear AT advantage and I feel they may be a little out of round but not out of balance. The LS2 is a lousy tire IMO. The AT is a much better tire.

I think what I need is a good set of Michelins but I want to get at least 30,000 put of these Goodyears.

 

My next experiment, early next week, is to to put the stock rear shocks back on and see if I like that ride better.

 

Have a little over 2,000 miles on the truck 600-800 miles on the Bilstein 5100's.

I tightened the u-bolts to 79 ft-lbs and put the stock rear shocks back on. Very little vibration what I would call normal. Rides a little better with the stock shocks. Instead of doing one thing at a time I did both. I attribute the improvement to torquing the ubolts properly but will check this out in a couple of weeks when I put the Rear Bilsteins back on.

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