2003 Suburban Vibration

[Suburban Blues]

I recently (3/12/04) purchased a new 2003 Suburban which currently has less than 800 miles on it. This is the 4th one in 25 years that I've owned. Driving it home from the dealer the first night, I noticed a deep harmonic vibration at 70 mph or higher. At 80 mph, the truck shakes. I contacted the dealer the next day, and brought it in for evaluation. The service technician drove the truck and agreed there was a vibration and suggested they would check tire balance. Tire balance was fine so they orderd a new driveshaft, but that has not corrected the problem. The service manager called me yesterday and said he drove a new 2004 Suburban and it vibrated at 70 mph of faster also. So it was his opinion that this was normal. I responded by asking then if this was normal, and I found another suburban on his lot that did not vibrate, that it then would be considered abnormal and he would have to fix it by making it vibrate? He had no response. After further discussion, he has indicated that there is no need to re-schedule another appointment for this issue as this is as good as it will get. Wisconsin Lemon law states that if any new vehicle is serviced for the same problem 4 times, you can submit a claim with GM for a full refund. It appears that the local dealer does not want this to be an option for me. I have suggested to the service manager that he try different tires and wheels but he does not see a benefit in trying this. When I suggested there may be a problem else where in the drive train, he indicated that wasn't a possibility. Any comments are welcome.

[dirty dan]

I'd bet that General Motors would love to know the name of a Service Manager who says that their trucks normally come from the show room with a vibration.
No, these trucks should not vibrate. Many states have Interstate speeds posted higher than 70 mph. The trucks are designed to operate at high speeds. Causes of vibration can be, but are not limited to Wheels, Tires, Bearings, Ball Joints, Tie Rods, pitman arms, Bad Springs, Bad Shocks, Bad U-Joints, Warped or Out of Balance Drive Shaft, Engine Problems. Transmission Problems, Torque Converter Problems, Axle Problems, Differential Problems.
Don't lay down on this one. He's tried the easiest things to fix and want's you to live with his poor lazy results. Go to another dealer or directly to GM.

[midori]

I would push a little harder, if he still insists there's nothing that he can do, ask him for a contact number at GM so they may help you. Chances are that he wont like that you know you can take it higher and will be more willing to help try to solve the problem.

[Poole]

I agree with midori. They really try to keep these things in house so calmly ask to speak with the next higher person in their chain (service tech, service mngr., general mngr., owner). Always keep a pad and pen with you to take notes and names(or just duddle if you have to). By the time you reach the owner things will be happening.

[T-Bear101]

I just suffered thru a 2000 mile trip last week with a vibration between 65 and 75 MPH. Had the tires balanced twice by different shops. Finally got back to shop where I bought the tires and it turned out to be a bad tire. Just drove 200 miles today on new tires, smooth as silk.

Funny how nobody checks EVERYTHING about the tires. If the computer says its balanced, they assume its also smooth.