4 Auto and 4 Hi vibrations after 4" BDS Lift

6.2Creedmoor · February 19, 2021

Anyone have any insight into the vibration I am getting in 4 Auto and 4 Hi after installing a BDS 4" lift? The transfer case was smooth as butter prior to the lift. The vibration is almost like a groan that can be felt in the transfer case upon acceleration between 10-30 mph. The shop is stating that I will need a CV (dual cardan) front driveshaft as the pinion angle and prop shaft angle has changed and the u/joint angles are no longer in phase.

Yet, it seems there are plenty of others running 4" and 6" lifts that don't require a CV front driveshaft and have no vibrations in 4 Auto and 4 Hi. And then there are the others that are stock and have the same vibrations. ?‍♂️

rlcole321 · February 19, 2021

Yes, I have run into this before, on My 2002 S10, I tried to do a chassis lift and when the standard CV joint gets above approx. 9 degree angle to the wheel, it is to great for a smooth rotation. when you do a body lift it doesn't change the driveline angles. So I just lower it to be at 9 degrees and it was fine.

AgDoctor · February 20, 2021

My 2017 with a Zone 4.5 has this issue. At first I thought that it was the shaft bolt indexing from when I installed the kit, but after rotating it 180 degrees it did the same.

I haven't priced the new CV shaft but am aware that I would fix the problem, I just don't know if I would need it or how much it costs, or where to buy???

In 2wd I don't notice it.

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6.2Creedmoor · February 22, 2021

On 2/19/2021 at 7:26 PM, AgDoctor said:

My 2017 with a Zone 4.5 has this issue. At first I thought that it was the shaft bolt indexing from when I installed the kit, but after rotating it 180 degrees it did the same.

I haven't priced the new CV shaft but am aware that I would fix the problem, I just don't know if I would need it or how much it costs, or where to buy???

In 2wd I don't notice it.

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Pretty limited options for the 6.2 due to the difference in yokes on the 8 speed versus 6 speed. There are a couple that are out there and then a number of custom shops that will fab one for you. Price is between $400-$600. I have the shop sourcing one now and I will let you know what they come up with.

Justin14Sierra · February 26, 2021

I can relate to the groan that you are talking about. And slight vibration in the floor that I can feel a buzz on my feet.

My truck has done the groan since new, but I think the slight vibration came after my 6” BDS. Curious to see how you make out if you could keep me posted that would be awesome.

2014 SLT 5.3 4x4 CCSB

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durandetto · March 11, 2021

Anyone have any insight into the vibration I am getting in 4 Auto and 4 Hi after installing a BDS 4" lift? The transfer case was smooth as butter prior to the lift. The vibration is almost like a groan that can be felt in the transfer case upon acceleration between 10-30 mph. The shop is stating that I will need a CV (dual cardan) front driveshaft as the pinion angle and prop shaft angle has changed and the u/joint angles are no longer in phase.

Yet, it seems there are plenty of others running 4" and 6" lifts that don't require a CV front driveshaft and have no vibrations in 4 Auto and 4 Hi. And then there are the others that are stock and have the same vibrations.

I've seen a lot of people with the denalis having this issue, not so much with the 5.3s. Not sure how much different the 2 are.

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6.2Creedmoor · March 11, 2021

On 2/25/2021 at 10:16 PM, Justin14Sierra said:

I can relate to the groan that you are talking about. And slight vibration in the floor that I can feel a buzz on my feet.

My truck has done the groan since new, but I think the slight vibration came after my 6” BDS. Curious to see how you make out if you could keep me posted that would be awesome.

2014 SLT 5.3 4x4 CCSB

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I had the shop measure my front driveshaft angles and due to the clocking of the front diff carrier along with the lift it was out of spec for a u/joint driveshaft. We dropped it to measure and have reached out to RoughCountry to see if the previous CV driveshaft for the 2007-2013 Denali's would work. Still waiting for them to produce a schematic for measurements. Worst case I will have to have one custom fab. Either way we determined it is the front driveshaft angles causing the vibration.

6.2Creedmoor · March 12, 2021

4 hours ago, durandetto said:

I've seen a lot of people with the denalis having this issue, not so much with the 5.3s. Not sure how much different the 2 are.

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The 2007-2013 Sierra Denali's had this issue as they were AWD and the front driveshaft angles were out of spec after lifting more than 2". Same issue I am having as AWD is essentially the same thing as running in 4AUTO. Not technically but for arguments sake of this issue it is. The only difference between the 5.3 and 6.2 (regarding this issue) were the yokes as the 8 speed had a different yoke than the 6 speed but that is for the rear driveshaft. Depending on how your front carrier is clocked and what that does to your front driveshaft angles after the lift will determine if you are going to experience any vibrations when running in 4WD.

17Sierra1500 · August 12, 2024

Resurrecting this old thread. 2017 Sierra 1500 Denali 6.2. Installed RC 5" bracket / control arm drop lift kit. Having 4Auto shaking / shudder on deceleration at approximately 20 MPH.

Called RC, if you ever get Bronson, I recommend you hang up immediately and get someone else. He shouldn't be in customer service. He said that is normal for all 4x4's, lifted or not. I call BS! My truck never did this before the lift and I've lifted other trucks in the past without any issues. RC's "solution" is to not run it in 4Auto or 4x4 unless you are stuck! More BS. Also said he talked to R&D and that nobody has had this issue on their kit. Even more BS.

Clearly from this thread, I'm not the only one. Anybody find a replacement CV style front drive shaft for a '17 Denali 6.2?

AgDoctor · August 12, 2024

5 hours ago, 17Sierra1500 said:

Resurrecting this old thread. 2017 Sierra 1500 Denali 6.2. Installed RC 5" bracket / control arm drop lift kit. Having 4Auto shaking / shudder on deceleration at approximately 20 MPH.

Called RC, if you ever get Bronson, I recommend you hang up immediately and get someone else. He shouldn't be in customer service. He said that is normal for all 4x4's, lifted or not. I call BS! My truck never did this before the lift and I've lifted other trucks in the past without any issues. RC's "solution" is to not run it in 4Auto or 4x4 unless you are stuck! More BS. Also said he talked to R&D and that nobody has had this issue on their kit. Even more BS.

Clearly from this thread, I'm not the only one. Anybody find a replacement CV style front drive shaft for a '17 Denali 6.2?

I never found one that was listed specific for a certain kit, though I did see where Skyjacker had a part number for one once upon a time. Mine had more a hum or growl with a little vibration, but I never drive in 4wd at speed, but it was at higher speeds, 60+.