Loose Suspension in 2500HD

David Thomas · May 16, 2002

I have recently purchased a 2001 2500HD Chevy Silverado. When driving I feel a slight jiggle in the steering wheel that feels as if a bolt was loose allowing the suspension or steering to move. Is this normal with a Heavy Duty suspension or is there a likely culprit? Also, when my 8.1 L is cold I get a bog directly after the truck shifts gears, more noticeable in gears 1 and 2. Any help greatly appreciated.

David Thomas

kanton1 · May 16, 2002

David,

The looseness is the steering shaft rattle. There is a TSB for a "lube job," but it does not fix the problem. I have had it done twice, with no fix. Some people are having new bearing assemblies replaced in the steering box, which is fixing the rattle. I attempted to have this done on my truck, but the bearing would not fit on the steering shaft.

8.1L bog,

mine does this as well, the colder air temp, the more it does it. I actually think it is the tranny (Allison) not warm enough yet.

Good Luck,

Kyle

lauriet1 · May 16, 2002

Kyle - You had the lube job done twice and it didn't fix it? That stinks, I had mine done about 6 weeks ago and the problem was solved. Maybe there's something else going on with your truck?

David - See post #214 at this link for the TSB specifics Edmunds.Com Maintenance & Repair TSB Thread

David Thomas · May 16, 2002

Thanks for the information, have any of you guys done this lubrication yourself or is it a dealer service procedure only? Anyone have the actual TSB?

Thanks,

David Thomas

lauriet1 · May 17, 2002

Anyone have the actual TSB?

David, I guess you couldn't link to Edmunds???....so here's the details:

TSB #00-02-35-003A Clunking Noise Under Hood and can be felt in the Steering Wheel (Lubricate Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly).

Condition

Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from under the hood that also can be felt in the steering wheel. These conditions may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.

Correction

Remove the intermediate shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the intermediate shaft with a Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098419

Important

DO NOT REPLACE THE FOLLOWING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT P/Ns

26085548

26049343

26083324

26088325

Why would you want to spend time doing something yourself that's covered under warranty? The lube job only takes about 45 minutes and it's free. Also, (as with any TSB/Warranty work) if you let the dealer take care of it, your truck will have a record of it being addressed under warranty. That way if it happens again or you experience related problems after your warranty expires, you'll have good grounds to argue for free repair.

David Thomas · May 17, 2002

Because my truck is out of warranty with 44,400 miles. The guy I purchased it from used it to deliver Peppridge Farm (sp?) breads and croutons. I bought an extended warranty for the truck to 100,000 miles but it doesn't kick in until I have 45,400 miles on the warranty and the noise is driving me nuts.

One other question, I have a rattle on my truck as it shifts gears and found the muffler heat sheild cracked at the spot welds. I've had it welded back but I still hear something. Is there any TSB for those type symptoms?

Thanks for the info,

David Thomas

lauriet1 · May 17, 2002

David - Sorry - Didn't realize your truck had so many miles on it.

Here is a list of the tsbs for the 2001 GMC C series trucks.

#00-03-10-008 Unable to Lower Spare Tire (Install Spare Tire Cross Brace)

#01-06-04-012 Malfunction Indicator Lamp ON with a DTC P0341, P0342, P0343 (Replace Cam Sensor)

#01-06-02-002 Whining Noise In Passenger Compartment When Engine RPM is 1700-2300 (Remove Coolant Flow Restrictor)

#01-06-04-020 Service Engine Soon Indicator Lamp On, DTC P1781 Set (Reprogram Engine Control Module)

#01-01-37-008 Passenger SIde of Vehicle Colder/Warmer Than Drivers SIde (Repair HVAC Case to Cowl Seal)

#01-07-30-002B Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) On, Transmission Stuck in Third Gear, Instrument Cluster Inoperative (Replace Ignition Switch)

#01-07-30-021 Park/Neutral Position Switch Connector Cannot Be Removed (Replace Switch and Connectors)

#99-01-39-004A Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit)

#01-06-04-034 Engine RPM Limited to 3,000 RPM and No Cruise Control (Check Wiring and NSBU Switch)

#01-08-56-002A Security Lamp Illuminated on the IP, Engine Stalls, No Start, DTC B2960 (Security System Sensor Data Incorrect but Valid) Set (Inspect and Repair Cause of DTC B2960)

#01-06-01-018 Engine Tick Noise at Valve Train Speed/Loss of Power (Replace Push Rod)

#01-08-64-014 Door Manual Lock Lever Disengages from Door Trim Panel (Repair Lock Lever)

#01-08-64-015 Front and Rear Side Access Door Noise (Replace Door Check Link)

#01-04-17-004 Clunk, Bump or Squawk when Vehicle Comes to Complete Stop or Accelerating from Complete Stop (Replace Rear Drive Shaft Nickel-Plated Slip Yoke)

#01-06-04-037B Fuel Transfer Pump Inoperative (Replace Fuel Transfer Module)

#01-07-30-034 5-4 Shift Busyness (Excessive Shifting) While Using Cruise Control and Towing (Reprogram PCM)

#01-06-04-050 Decreased Engine Performance/Power, Filter Minder Indicator On, Possible MIL Illuminated and DTC P0101/P0103 Set (Replace AIr Cleaner/Reprogram ECM)

#01-08-66-014 Pickup Box Sheet Metal Fracture/Damage with Aftermarket Accessories Installed (Repair Pickup Box Damage and Install Pickup Box Reinforcements)

#01-07-30-038 DTC P0757 Set, SES Lamp Illuminated, Poor Performance of Transmission, Transmission Slipping (Clean Transmission Valve Body and Case Oil Passages of Debris)

#01-06-01-029 Higher Than Expected Engine Oil Consumption (Replace PCV Valve)

#00-02-35-003A Clunking Noise Under Hood and can be felt in the Steering Wheel (Lubricate Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly)

#00-06-04-003A Rough Idle After Start and/or A Service Engine Soon (SES) Light (Unstick and Clean Central Sequential Fuel Injection (CSFI) Poppet Valves)

#01-01-39-007 Loss of HVAC System Mode and/or Temperature Control (Reroute Wiring Harness)

#02-06-04-002 Possible Communication Information Irregularities when using Generic Scan Tools (Reprogram PCM)

#02-04-17-001 Launch Shudder/Vibration on Acceleration (Replace Propeller Shaft and Install New Pinion Flange/Seal)

#01-01-39-005A Noise or Vibration in Passenger Compartment with A/C On Between 2000-2400 RPM (Replace Heater Outlet Hose)

#02-06-01-007 Accessory Drive Belt Noise (Properly Align Power Steering Pump Pulley)

#00-08-64-018C Rear Door Window Inoperative (Replace Affected Motor/Inspect Opposite Motor)

#02-06-04-015 Intermittent No Crank, No Start (Clean Battery Side Terminal Stripped Threads, Replace Battery Cable Bolt)

Check out www.alldata.com for more info. I understand full details on 2001 models are now available. You need to subscribe to the site to get specifics.

CMNTMXR81 · May 20, 2002

8.1L bog,

mine does this as well, the colder air temp, the more it does it. I actually think it is the tranny (Allison) not warm enough yet.

Good Luck,

Kyle

I quickly scanned through the TSB list, but I didn't see it. This cold start stutter isn't in the Allison, it's in the PCM re-flash programming for the throttle. We have an electronic throttle control like the Vette's have on our trucks and it seems to get hung up when it's cold.

David Thomas · May 20, 2002

Update: Well, the lube job has temporarily fixed suspension problem, but I have some advice for those of you who are going to attempt it themselves. DON'T LET ANYONE (INCLUDING YOUR KIDS) TURN THE DAMN STEERING WHEEL. Anyway my $14.00 lube job turned into a $100.00 lube job that includes a new airbag coil for the steering wheel.

Thanks,

David Thomas

Hutch · May 21, 2002

I have an '02 2500HD Crew Cab with 3,500 miles on it and I have a rattle, too, but it's only when I'm accelerating. I can also feel it through the gas pedal and floorboard a little. If I let off the gas pedal I don't hear it anymore (or feel it). Is this the steering shaft, also? ...or something else?

Thanks

Hutch

David Thomas · May 21, 2002

Do you have the 8.1 with an Allison Transmission? Do you feel or hear the noise? I have a noise that sounds like an exhaust shield rattling just as the transmission goes to change gears. I'm hoping it's not the trans though. It also sounds like the resonance noise you get with some aftermarket cold air intake kits with out the heimholtz (sp?) resonator.

David Thomas

Hutch · May 21, 2002

David,

Yes, I have the 8.1/Allison combo. I can both feel AND hear the noise. I can feel it being transmitted through the gas pedal and through the floor. I can only feel it when accelerating and driving over a rough spot in the road. That makes me wonder if torque is causing something to move just enough to rattle against something else. I originally thought it might be the leaf springs rattling so I wrapped the loose ends of the leaf springs with pipe insulation and that didn't help so I don't think that's it.

I'm not sure what "heimholtz (sp?) resonator" is. ???

I think this is different than what you are experiencing. When I put the transmission in Tow/Haul mode, there is a slight shudder and rattling sound right AFTER it shifts into 2nd gear. I think it is something in the transmission but I haven't had time to take it into the shop, yet.

Hutch