Denali Info Needed

ad326 · June 30, 2008

I am new to the GMC family and just last week picked up a 03 Denali w/78k and drove it about 1500 miles on vacation, love the ride and comfort. I did notice a couple of issues that i would like help with. It has a humming noise from the front end at speeds 35mph and up, and a slight humm and vibration from the steering wheel when turning. I have searched and seen these things discussed but no definite answeres. Are there any cures for these problems or TSBs? I will post vin tommorrow. Thanks for your help, Lots of help already!

msonido · June 30, 2008

I am new to the GMC family and just last week picked up a 03 Denali w/78k and drove it about 1500 miles on vacation, love the ride and comfort. I did notice a couple of issues that i would like help with. It has a humming noise from the front end at speeds 35mph and up, and a slight humm and vibration from the steering wheel when turning. I have searched and seen these things discussed but no definite answeres. Are there any cures for these problems or TSBs? I will post vin tommorrow. Thanks for your help, Lots of help already!

Get your front end and transfer case checked out. If your truck has different sized tires on it, sounds obvious but what I mean is if one tire has less miles on it then the other 3, that will throw off the rotations of the wheels and axles. What sounds like is happening to your truck is that your front axle has been compensating for the differences in the tire size and the gears have worn prematurely. Of course this could also happen from neglect of the axles and transfer case as well as HEAVY towing. The tire difference is something I learned about first hand on my 01 Denali, as one tire blew out after 20K and replaced but the other three weren't. About the same mileage as yours the front end was binding pretty bad in full knock turns, mostly in parking lots! Front end was rebuilt and all four tires were replaced! Hope that helps!

ad326 · July 1, 2008

I am new to the GMC family and just last week picked up a 03 Denali w/78k and drove it about 1500 miles on vacation, love the ride and comfort. I did notice a couple of issues that i would like help with. It has a humming noise from the front end at speeds 35mph and up, and a slight humm and vibration from the steering wheel when turning. I have searched and seen these things discussed but no definite answeres. Are there any cures for these problems or TSBs? I will post vin tommorrow. Thanks for your help, Lots of help already!

Get your front end and transfer case checked out. If your truck has different sized tires on it, sounds obvious but what I mean is if one tire has less miles on it then the other 3, that will throw off the rotations of the wheels and axles. What sounds like is happening to your truck is that your front axle has been compensating for the differences in the tire size and the gears have worn prematurely. Of course this could also happen from neglect of the axles and transfer case as well as HEAVY towing. The tire difference is something I learned about first hand on my 01 Denali, as one tire blew out after 20K and replaced but the other three weren't. About the same mileage as yours the front end was binding pretty bad in full knock turns, mostly in parking lots! Front end was rebuilt and all four tires were replaced! Hope that helps!

All four tires are new but that doesnt mean PO didnt cause that problem. Going to take it in and get it checked but would like a reference for a reputable dealer service dept or other shop in my area!