Any Suprises?

shazbot · August 9, 2005

Hey guys, nice forum here. I just picked up my new truck and wanted to know if there was anything that i might need to pay close attention to or possibly repair. I am coming from a Tundra and so far this truck seems to be bit sloppy in the front suspension department. Any other little quirks that i should know about? Thanks for any input.

Michael

05 GMC Z-71

MS3DALE · August 9, 2005

Welcome aboard

I'm sure some some guys will come up with some other stuff to mention,But right now all I can think of is the steering shaft.

GM has had a problem on all the '99-up "New-Body-Style" trucks where the intermediate steering shaft develops a "clunk" noise,You mainly notice it when your turning the steering wheel at slower speeds and going over uneven surfaces or bumps.

They came out with a lube kit for it but it only seems to be a temporary fix as it seems to come back after about 10-15,000 miles.

(This is why most guys just want the shaft replaced instead of trying the lube kit)

My '99 developed the noise after about 30,000 miles and they replaced the shaft under warranty and it was fine all the way up until I traded it with almost 100,000 miles on it.

I only have 14,000 miles on my '04 but SO FAR its quiet!

Ape0r · August 9, 2005

A whole bunch of random stuff that shouldn't ever break is what you should look out for! Replaced my steering shaft, had the rear axle pinion seal replaced, had the horn replaced. The CD player needs replacement before my warranty runs out!

shazbot · August 9, 2005

A whole bunch of random stuff that shouldn't ever break is what you should look out for! Replaced my steering shaft, had the rear axle pinion seal replaced, had the horn replaced. The CD player needs replacement before my warranty runs out!

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Thx, it's reminding me of my Toyota more and more

parkercl · August 10, 2005

I just traded a 99 4Runner in for a new 1500 4x4 Sierra Ext. Cab and haven't looked back since! One thing I have not been able to find in the new GMC is the part of the door that used to hit me in the top of the head when I got in like the ToiletOdor had. I also miss the ability to rub shoulders with any passenger.

This is my 4th GM pickup and all the previous models were bulletproof as I expect this one to be.

The real clincher is that I am getting almost as good mileage from the GM with its 4.8L as I did from the Toyota with a 4 cylinder!

That's my opinion...I may be wrong.

CP

Toyota

enduro74 · August 10, 2005

I just traded a 99 4Runner in for a new 1500 4x4 Sierra Ext. Cab and haven't looked back since! One thing I have not been able to find in the new GMC is the part of the door that used to hit me in the top of the head when I got in like the ToiletOdor had. I also miss the ability to rub shoulders with any passenger.

This is my 4th GM pickup and all the previous models were bulletproof as I expect this one to be.

The real clincher is that I am getting almost as good mileage from the GM with its 4.8L as I did from the Toyota with a 4 cylinder!

That's my opinion...I may be wrong.

CP

Toyota

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i know how you feal with the toyota thing had a 1986 22r and got 17 to 18 mpg with it now i got my 99 gmc serria and get the same out a v-6 and have a lot more power.

kdm101 · August 10, 2005

You may be in for a surprise and not have any issues to deal with. My '99's been pretty rock solid from the time I bought it used with only 2400 on the clock. Sure, it's got a few flaws, but nothing that's required an immediate visit to the repair shop. I've got the rear vent window wind noise, possible fuel tank sending unit failure, horn failure, sticky throttle, ticking noise at startup, and the weak parking brake (for a time anyway).

I have to date had only 1 failure on this truck, and that's the parking brake. And I don't mean the pads wearing out and becoming ineffective. Something actually broke, most likely in the pedal as it sounded like a heavy spring snapping. It was up to that time working flawlessly since the rear rotors and brake linings were still relatively new. I have yet to fix it though. Right now, I do have a tie rod with a ruptured boot, but, it's still holding up. Bought the replacement, so it's just a matter of when I can get time to replace it.

There are some horror stories you might read about here, but I have yet to have happen: ABS unit failure; power window regulator failure; tailgate cable snapping; or ventilation blower motor failure or at the least, speed control resistor. Of course, now that I've "gloated" over not having any of these problems, I'll start having them all!

Can't answer the sloppy suspension department. My truck's 2WD, so I can't compare to how a 4WD rides, nor have I ever been in a Turdra, sorry Tundra.

03GMCSierra4.8L · August 10, 2005

I have had my Sierra for almost 3 yrs now and have had only one issue to take it in for and that was the Clunking Intermed Steering shaft replacement at 15K. Been quiet ever since. Only other fix that I did myself with the seat fabric wanted to keep coming unhooked from its track in the lower front of both sides.....bit of rtv on the track and plastic catch pieces did the trick about 20K ago!

Its been an excellent Truck, and the 4.8L has been doing fine in the power department and especially good with mpg (16 town, 20+ highway). We tow a 4500lb RV with it on occasion so it gets a work out from time to time.

I have recently re-tired it with Michlens and also re-shocked it with Bilsteins as the original Goodyears and Shocks sucked from day one! The truck has about 30K on it so its low miles and the tires and shocks were shot. Can NOT believe the difference in how if drives and handles now.

Enjoy your new truck!