Chevy shake / clunky transmission and high miles - info requested

GullLakeMi · November 8, 2016

Does anybody have the chevy shake or transmission clunks (possibly due 8 spd or v8/6 to v4) and high miles? Be interested to know if any defects/damage presents with the vehicle or it only presents a nuisance to driver/passengers.

Since all these threads make me wonder if my truck has the issues, just wondering if my current approach of turning up the radio, heavy foot on the gas pedal, and staying away from dealer service will hurt me in the long run.

powerhaulic · November 8, 2016

Does anybody have the chevy shake or transmission clunks (possibly due 8 spd or v8/6 to v4) and high miles? Be interested to know if any defects/damage presents with the vehicle or it only presents a nuisance to driver/passengers.

Since all these threads make me wonder if my truck has the issues, just wondering if my current approach of turning up the radio, heavy foot on the gas pedal, and staying away from dealer service will hurt me in the long run.

I think its a great plan, same one I'm on

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · November 8, 2016

Well I have over 28,000 miles on it and will have 28,500 by the end of the week. No shake at all, not even at 98 when the governor shuts it off. The only time the transmission gave any problem was the first 2-3,000 miles during it's "learn mode", but ever since it's been smooth as silk. Switching between V4 and V8 also is still seemless. The only time this truck has gone and will go to the dealership was for the free maintenance (oil change and tire rotation) and for recalls. Anything else I do myself or down the line if I can't do it I'll take to a local shop. I'm not paying a dealership a dime other than when I bought the truck.

With that said, don't drive it thinking something will go wrong when it shouldn't. You need to realize 2 things. If someone does have a problem the first thing they want to do is search the internet which usually brings them to a forum so they make an account and start a thread. Nobody will start an account just to say how much they love their truck. The 2nd thing is that even with a forum like this with a lot of members, it's still only a very very small % of the K2 truck owners out there. So even if half of the people on here had the vibration, it's still a very small % that has the problem. I can only guess a small fraction of 1% of the K2 truck owners actually have real problems. That's not saying that it makes it alright, I do think it's still way too many vibrating trucks out there. My point is just that looking on here make it seem like it's a lot bigger portion with problems. Honestly the only problem I've had with this truck was the clunking from the rear end. But, it was easily fixed when I torqued the u-bolt nuts to spec and since then no clunk. There's a lot out there with that problem so I wasn't too surprised. Probably 1 machine wasn't too spec or all weren't to spec for a short time until they noticed.

SilvgMc2017 · November 8, 2016

Well I have over 28,000 miles on it and will have 28,500 by the end of the week. No shake at all, not even at 98 when the governor shuts it off. The only time the transmission gave any problem was the first 2-3,000 miles during it's "learn mode", but ever since it's been smooth as silk. Switching between V4 and V8 also is still seemless. The only time this truck has gone and will go to the dealership was for the free maintenance (oil change and tire rotation) and for recalls. Anything else I do myself or down the line if I can't do it I'll take to a local shop. I'm not paying a dealership a dime other than when I bought the truck.

With that said, don't drive it thinking something will go wrong when it shouldn't. You need to realize 2 things. If someone does have a problem the first thing they want to do is search the internet which usually brings them to a forum so they make an account and start a thread. Nobody will start an account just to say how much they love their truck. The 2nd thing is that even with a forum like this with a lot of members, it's still only a very very small % of the K2 truck owners out there. So even if half of the people on here had the vibration, it's still a very small % that has the problem. I can only guess a small fraction of 1% of the K2 truck owners actually have real problems. That's not saying that it makes it alright, I do think it's still way too many vibrating trucks out there. My point is just that looking on here make it seem like it's a lot bigger portion with problems. Honestly the only problem I've had with this truck was the clunking from the rear end. But, it was easily fixed when I torqued the u-bolt nuts to spec and since then no clunk. There's a lot out there with that problem so I wasn't too surprised. Probably 1 machine wasn't too spec or all weren't to spec for a short time until they noticed.

Ever done the water bottle test or know where I could find one? Still curious to see what a "smooth" truck looks like without the shake. I've always been a car guy til I bought my Sierra.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · November 8, 2016

Ever done the water bottle test or know where I could find one? Still curious to see what a "smooth" truck looks like without the shake. I've always been a car guy til I bought my Sierra.

Not with water but I've had drinks in the truck before and never a shake, not even close. Mine still rides smooth like it did from brand new. The bottle test is just where you put a bottle filled with a liquid in the center console. If it ripples then you have a vibration. Bad ones will look like the part from Jurassic Park where it shows the water rippling from the T-rex walking lol.

powerhaulic · November 8, 2016

I'd like to do the bottle test every day, but drinking and driving can get you in trouble

Silverado Steve · November 8, 2016

Here's a word of advice, do you enjoy your truck? If so drive it without worry, and quit worrying about that's said on the forums. These forums will have you believe your truck is a rolling pile and you are driving a ticking time bomb.

ajanes89 · November 8, 2016

Words of wisdom ^^^^^

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

GullLakeMi · November 9, 2016

Appreciate the feedback. I really don't get into comparing shakes and clunks and I've never been a hypochondriac about cars. Will continue to monitor though to ensure nuisance doesn't become something more serious.

Silverado Steve · November 9, 2016

Just take it in, you're under warranty.

Appreciate the feedback. I really don't get into comparing shakes and clunks and I've never been a hypochondriac about cars. Will continue to monitor though to ensure nuisance doesn't become something more serious.

Donstar · November 9, 2016

When you think something is working, people constantly telling you its broken will start to cast doubt. Enjoy your truck and enjoy reading this forum. Don't let one interfere with the other!

GullLakeMi · November 22, 2016

Thread bump. Come on! Somebody must have high miles with these issues (clunky shifts and/or vibration). What does the future hold for the rest of us if choose to ignore???

EspoMan · November 22, 2016

Thread bump. Come on! Somebody must have high miles with these issues (clunky shifts and/or vibration). What does the future hold for the rest of us if choose to ignore???

My guess is that most trading it in. That's exactly what I am going to do as soon as I can. 4000 miles and I'm already thinking of trading it in. Insane. My truck drives like crap. Shakes, rattles, pretty bad steering wheel vibration too.

kurtg2020 · November 23, 2016

I have a 2014, I am approaching 70,000 miles, mine will be 3 years old come January. I have had the shake starting about 20,000 miles, I have installed new tires, did not help. The dealership put new wheels and tires off a truck from the lot that i drove to verify that the new truck did not vibrate, put them on my truck, it vibrated. I can drive down the same road everyday and one day it will vibrate on a section of road, the next day, same section of road, smooth as silk. When the truck does not vibrate, great vehicle, but if the truck does vibrate, it is absolutely terrible. I have found that the smoother the road, the worse it vibrates, its a good thing I am in Illinois and most of the roads suck!

The transmission has been ok, the think the programming is the problem, the choke these trucks to squeeze all the MPG's out of them. Mine has clunks, but, but after close to 70,000 miles, it is the same as 10,000 miles. So I guess so far so good.

My buddy has a 2014, he has close to 110,000 miles on it, its his company truck. He has hated his truck, his is an crew cab LTZ, and his shakes and vibrates way worse then mine. He is counting the days until he gets his new truck, he works for a large Ag company and they are transition from Chevy to Dodges. I don't think because of issues, more due to costs savings.

I am due for a new vehicle in the spring, I wanted a Tahoe or Suburban, but they are having there own issues, so might just go with another Silverado. And I realize that majority of people come on here to complain, but there is just enough complaints about Tahoe/Surburban that I think there is a larger issue with those.

So I guess, if you dont have the clunks or vibrations now, maybe you wont get them. Mine and my buddies showed up within the first 20,000 miles and still have the issues. Hope you have a good one.

Thomcat · November 23, 2016

Since all these threads make me wonder if my truck has the issues, just wondering if my current approach of turning up the radio, heavy foot on the gas pedal, and staying away from dealer service will hurt me in the long run.

X2 Best advice one can get.....nitpick enough bringing in on suspected problems and you may end up with more problems rolling out of the dealer than when you went in.

If you have to wonder if your vehicle has a problem....then it doesn't.