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2007 Silverado Classic Issues

erickdj

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erickdj Enthusiast

erickdj

Posted
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I've had my 2007 Silverado Classic for exactly one year today, but I've been having some issues with it for a while, the truck only has 12,000 miles so far. This is my first new vehicle, so I don't have any experience with service/warranty issues with the dealer. I'm looking for some feedback regarding the issues I'm having and how to best approach the dealer, I'll be taking it to the same place where I bought it from. So here's my list of issues:

 

There seems to be something wrong with the steering/suspension systems, the first sign can be noticed when the truck has been parked overnight or for a few hours. After the truck has been warmed up and I put it in gear, the steering wheel is a little stiff to move and it makes a "clicking" sensation when I fist turn it. Then it's normal, it doesn't get that feel anymore during operation.

 

When driving through a rough paved road or unpaved roads I can feel something weird in the steering, almost as if there was something lose or with a bit of freeplay, and I swear something makes noise under the dash or behind the firewall area.

 

The front wheels don't seem to be well aligned, the tires are excessively worn out overall, but they are extremely worn on the outside of the tire. I know the stock tires are crap, but I shouldn't be needing new tires and an alignment with only 12,000 miles. The rear tires are quite worn out too.

 

The brakes have been developing a squeaking noise when some pressure is added to the brake pedal, and I feel that the brakes don't feel as responsive as they used to. Again, I realize things wear out, but it's only been 12,000 miles, quite early for a brake job in my opinion.

 

The dashboard sometimes gets a rattle noise when driving through rough areas, the suspension feels like it doesn't absorb things as well as it used to.

 

 

I feel like I have legitimate complaints here about the truck, most of these issues have been popping up since the truck was about 6 months old, but I kept on putting it off thinking that maybe it would go away. Now I've made up my mind to deal with this stuff before the truck gets "old" and they tell me that it's normal wear and tear. Anyone have some ideas/feedback on the matter?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Erick.

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted

uh take it to the dealership....the freeplay may be the i-shaft, the suspension may have not settled properly, and the tires, well they suck, but they can contribute to the problems that you currently have

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted

it is recommended that you get an alignment whenever you notice the tires wearing faster than normal.....and if it happens really fast, have them check all the suspension components for damage, it may be defective, it may covered..

onac255 Senior Enthusiast

onac255

Posted
Posted

Hey Erick, I have a question for you. Is your truck a 4X4? Because if it is, that is why it has lost alignment (especially if you have turned the torsion keys) As far as the steering column its a bearing that at the bottom of the steering shaft. It can be fixed with some greasing or you can just have the dealer replace it. As for your breaks I had the same problem but it should just be your discs. Your pads should be good all you have to do is have the dealer "turn" your discs and you should be fine. Just my $0.02

 

P.S. I have almost 25,000 miles on my classic and I have had it for just over a year and 2 months. Oh and I experienced all your symptoms as well, all of which are minimal in my opinion. Best of luck to ya bud! :sick:

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted

that is exactly what I have, the 4.8 with the auto....no problems here (all of them were resolved by my complaints at the dealer)

ndhonor Enthusiast

ndhonor

Posted
Posted

The only thing to say is that the manual recommends you rotate your tires like every 6 and align around every 10-12K. So either way its due for check. Secondly many people say that the factory crap tires roughly get about 20K miles before they need replacing. They don't last long and then are crap, that is the only part I find that SUCKS about GM trucks.

cfbcovers Enthusiast

cfbcovers

Posted
Posted

When it is real cold here my Tahoe does the stiff steering wheel thing when first starting out but like you said stops after few minutes of driving...i dunno what that is ! Take it to the dealer and write down all the problems get them fixed now before to late!

unit731 Senior Enthusiast

unit731

Posted
Posted

Good advice above - all.

 

Take to dealer and make sure they write all issues and obtain a copy for your records. So once 'fixed' and problem continues, you got record that they already 'fixed' it.

 

My 1990 Chevrolet 1500 2WD. The power steering is stiff when first starting in AM. About 30 seconds. Then all is well rest of day. Only happens in colder/winter. So something is going on in power steering pump or something. Been like this for 6 years. Has not got worse. Not enough for me to get repaired/replaced.

7classicz Enthusiast

7classicz

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll get it to the dealer as soon as possible, probably within the next 2 weeks.

 

Too late. This is all 'normal' as soon as you drive it off the lot. Makes ya :M16: doesn't it?

 

My '03 RCSB 2wd and my '07classic CC 4wd both have all of these issues, except the morning steering stiffness and 'click.' Like Mike said, if the intermediate shaft most likely needs to be replaced. Mine started 'clunking' with slack at 7,000 miles. The latest i-shaft fix came out in February of '07, so your truck just missed it, but its free so go get it.

 

Your assessment of 'excessively worn' tires is probably exactly what the dealership is going to say. Uneven wear could easily be your apparent alignment issue. Are you rotating your tires every 3,000? Either way, if you have unusually rapid tire wear, the dealership is either going to blame it on your driving or (fat chance) the quality of the tires. But if you get a free alignment new tires, let us all know :M16: .

 

The brakes as I've picked up from this forum, are hit and miss with the squealing. Some people have it, some don't. I do, but only the first 20 seconds or so of use.

 

The dashboard thing is hit and miss too, I think. Both of my 800s have had it.

 

The good news is that you have gotten past the worst of it, and so you shouldn't expect any new problems from your truck ... except maybe the rusty door panel issue :)

 

At least it ain't a ford.

erickdj Enthusiast

erickdj

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll get it to the dealer as soon as possible, probably within the next 2 weeks.

 

Too late. This is all 'normal' as soon as you drive it off the lot. Makes ya :M16: doesn't it?

 

My '03 RCSB 2wd and my '07classic CC 4wd both have all of these issues, except the morning steering stiffness and 'click.' Like Mike said, if the intermediate shaft most likely needs to be replaced. Mine started 'clunking' with slack at 7,000 miles. The latest i-shaft fix came out in February of '07, so your truck just missed it, but its free so go get it.

 

Your assessment of 'excessively worn' tires is probably exactly what the dealership is going to say. Uneven wear could easily be your apparent alignment issue. Are you rotating your tires every 3,000? Either way, if you have unusually rapid tire wear, the dealership is either going to blame it on your driving or (fat chance) the quality of the tires. But if you get a free alignment new tires, let us all know :M16: .

 

The brakes as I've picked up from this forum, are hit and miss with the squealing. Some people have it, some don't. I do, but only the first 20 seconds or so of use.

 

The dashboard thing is hit and miss too, I think. Both of my 800s have had it.

 

The good news is that you have gotten past the worst of it, and so you shouldn't expect any new problems from your truck ... except maybe the rusty door panel issue :)

 

At least it ain't a ford.

 

 

The one thing I want to get fixed the most is the steering shaft issue and the alignment, maybe if the tires last for another 5k miles I'd be ok with it, but it seems to me that they are due for replacement ASAP.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

Half of your complaints are probably going to be gone with the I shaft redo. OEM tires are pure junk. Sure, my dad could get 80K out of a set but anybody that actually drives their truck like a truck isn't going to get good wear. GMT800 trucks were notorious for wearing the outer edges of the front tires... especially if you don't stay right on top of the air pressure. Rotating every 3500 or so miles is probably a good bet.

 

Disc brakes make noise... especially after being parked. Rotors actually rust overnight and the noise you hear is probably the initial removal of the glaze. I doubt you need brakes at 12K. If you do, then you have been driving the living sh!t out of this truck. Early brake replacement has not been an issue.

 

Make a list and take it in. If that's all you have at 12K, you are not doing bad. I wouldn't expect a warranty alignment at 12K though. You may have to pay for that...

erickdj Enthusiast

erickdj

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Half of your complaints are probably going to be gone with the I shaft redo. OEM tires are pure junk. Sure, my dad could get 80K out of a set but anybody that actually drives their truck like a truck isn't going to get good wear. GMT800 trucks were notorious for wearing the outer edges of the front tires... especially if you don't stay right on top of the air pressure. Rotating every 3500 or so miles is probably a good bet.

 

Disc brakes make noise... especially after being parked. Rotors actually rust overnight and the noise you hear is probably the initial removal of the glaze. I doubt you need brakes at 12K. If you do, then you have been driving the living sh!t out of this truck. Early brake replacement has not been an issue.

 

Make a list and take it in. If that's all you have at 12K, you are not doing bad. I wouldn't expect a warranty alignment at 12K though. You may have to pay for that...

 

 

Yeah, the tires are sh!t, I actually "drive" the truck so they aren't holding up well at all. Even for crappy tires they seem too worn out, in my opinion.

The glaze theory makes sense about the brakes, but I'd like for them to check it out. I don't drive the truck like a maniac, but I certainly don't drive like a granny either. I drive it more like a small coupe car instead of a truck, which shouldn't cause serious issues.

 

I hope I don't have to pay for the alignment.

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