Chevrolet Suburban 3500 Questions

[Bigburb3500]

I like the Rancho 9000s I installed. I have not had any heavy loads on the truck yet but have done about 12k in road trips in a year. No complaints at all - the new shocks made a huge difference as 3 of the 4 original were blown.

 

[Geotrash]

I like the Rancho 9000s I installed. I have not had any heavy loads on the truck yet but have done about 12k in road trips in a year. No complaints at all - the new shocks made a huge difference as 3 of the 4 original were blown.

Thank you. That’s part of what I’m wondering about because my factory shocks only have 22,000 miles on them now. Granted, that was over seven years, but they’re not leaking so I’m assuming they’re still as good as new. It makes me wonder how much difference new shocks will make.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Thank you. That’s part of what I’m wondering about because my factory shocks only have 22,000 miles on them now. Granted, that was over seven years, but they’re not leaking so I’m assuming they’re still as good as new. It makes me wonder how much difference new shocks will make.

Two of the three bad shocks I had no signs of leaking and the third exploded and puked on all its fluid on me when taking it out. They were toasted but visually could not tell. Fresh shocks would be the first thing I would recommend prior to changing the fundamentals of the truck. You might “lose” some of the pieces that make this a 1-ton truck?

 

[Marky Dissod]

... my factory shocks only have 22,000 miles on them now. Granted, that was over seven years,
but they’re not leaking,
so I’m assuming they’re still as good as new.

A leaking shock damper can no longer do its job; anyone can stipulate to that,
but any cabdriver will assert from experience:
A shock absorber that is 'not leaking' could still be in urgent need of replacement.

 

[Geotrash]

Two of the three bad shocks I had no signs of leaking and the third exploded and puked on all its fluid on me when taking it out. They were toasted but visually could not tell. Fresh shocks would be the first thing I would recommend prior to changing the fundamentals of the truck. You might “lose” some of the pieces that make this a 1-ton truck?

Well, it’s more about making it ride a little better than a 1-ton but still much more capable than a half-ton.

All the same, I ordered the Bilsteins to be delivered before we get home, so I’ll start there.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Well, it’s more about making it ride a little better than a 1-ton but still much more capable than a half-ton.

All the same, I ordered the Bilsteins to be delivered before we get home, so I’ll start there.

Keep us posted how you think it improves the ride. Mine was night and day.

 

[Geotrash]

Keep us posted how you think it improves the ride. Mine was night and day.

Thanks. I’ll definitely keep y’all posted on how it turns out with the new shocks.

 

[Bigburb3500]

I think I told you all but I did the trans fluid a few weeks back. No sludge or anything in the pan so I was happy with that, but recently the trans seems to have started slipping… I added a little bit more fluid thinking I might be a little low as a bit leaked after I initially filled it.

What’s strange is that it’s super intermittent. Full throttle from 35mph at the top of the rev range, and going around a corner with a little aggressive throttle… still not repeatable and no other symptoms that I’ve noted. Sometimes a hard 2-1 shift but again not repeatable.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Geotrash]

I think I told you all but I did the trans fluid a few weeks back. No sludge or anything in the pan so I was happy with that, but recently the trans seems to have started slipping… I added a little bit more fluid thinking I might be a little low as a bit leaked after I initially filled it.

What’s strange is that it’s super intermittent. Full throttle from 35mph at the top of the rev range, and going around a corner with a little aggressive throttle… still not repeatable and no other symptoms that I’ve noted. Sometimes a hard 2-1 shift but again not repeatable.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

No idea, but perhaps @NickTransmissions has some thoughts.

 

[Geotrash]

Headed south out of Michigan toward Toledo, the Suburban 3500 started talking to me with a growing growl from the rear end that sounds a lot like a pinion bearing on the way out.

Stopped at a Valvoline lube shop and had the rear differential fluid changed. The tech said it was black but there was no glitter. It never worsened after that, so I’m gonna take it to an independent 4x4 driveline shop here this week and have them put some chassis ears on it.

It’s most noticeable when coasting in gear and seems to be at the right frequency for the pinion shaft.

For those who don’t know, these trucks have an unusual 10.5” 14-bolt G80 locker, but with the 4” axle tubes from the 3500 pickup. The pickups have the 11.5”, which is why these are unique. It’s a full floater as well.

It’s a stout rear end - stouter than the one in the GMT900 3/4-ton ‘burbs, so I’m a little surprised to be having trouble with it, but here we are.

 

[NickTransmissions]

No idea, but perhaps @NickTransmissions has some thoughts.

Would need to know what transmission @Bigburb3500 has (or year & engine application).

 

[Bigburb3500]

Would need to know what transmission @Bigburb3500 has (or year & engine application).

It’s a 6L90 attached to a 6.0 vortex. It’s a 2018. After adding a bit of fluid the other day it really helped so fingers crossed that was the issue.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Headed south out of Michigan toward Toledo, the Suburban 3500 started talking to me with a growing growl from the rear end that sounds a lot like a pinion bearing on the way out.

Stopped at a Valvoline lube shop and had the rear differential fluid changed. The tech said it was black but there was no glitter. It never worsened after that, so I’m gonna take it to an independent 4x4 driveline shop here this week and have them put some chassis ears on it.

It’s most noticeable when coasting in gear and seems to be at the right frequency for the pinion shaft.

For those who don’t know, these trucks have an unusual 10.5” 14-bolt G80 locker, but with the 4” axle tubes from the 3500 pickup. The pickups have the 11.5”, which is why these are unique. It’s a full floater as well.

It’s a stout rear end - stouter than the one in the GMT900 3/4-ton ‘burbs, so I’m a little surprised to be having trouble with it, but here we are.

Are you running the truck is auto 4wd or 2wd? My front diff is a bit noisy and I think that will be something I have to fix/replace at some point. It’s unnoticeable/not an issue when in 2wd tho.

 

[Geotrash]

Are you running the truck is auto 4wd or 2wd? My front diff is a bit noisy and I think that will be something I have to fix/replace at some point. It’s unnoticeable/not an issue when in 2wd tho.

2wd, always, unless I specifically need 4wd.

 

[Bigburb3500]

2wd, always, unless I specifically need 4wd.

Ok, so it’s not the same sounds I hear when running in 4wd.
Dang dude. Brand new truck and you already broke it? Lol
Guess I might have as well. Heavy duty doesn’t mean much these days

 

[Geotrash]

Ok, so it’s not the same sounds I hear when running in 4wd.
Dang dude. Brand new truck and you already broke it? Lol
Guess I might have as well. Heavy duty doesn’t mean much these days

It’s also possible that some bearing noise might just be part of the deal for these heavy duty rigs. Either way, I will get it sorted out in the next few weeks, one way or another.

 

[Geotrash]

I made an appointment at Independent 4x4 here locally. They're going to diagnose it for me next Tuesday. I'll let y'all know what they find.

 

[Geotrash]

Here's a good one for y'all. I was warned about it by another 3500 owner but since I hadn't experienced any problems, I let it ride, which was a mistake.

The exhaust exits the tailpipe just slightly above and ahead of the rear bumper plastic fascia. While not ideal, ordinarily it's not a problem. But load it up with people and hook up a camper, then drive that camper up a 9% grade holding 2nd gear for 10 minutes at 35 mph, and it's a problem. I ended up melting a chunk of the bumper fascia away:

So I ordered a cheap chrome turn-down exhaust tip from Scamazon. We'll see how it fits when it arrives.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Here's a good one for y'all. I was warned about it by another 3500 owner but since I hadn't experienced any problems, I let it ride, which was a mistake.

The exhaust exits the tailpipe just slightly above and ahead of the rear bumper plastic fascia. While not ideal, ordinarily it's not a problem. But load it up with people and hook up a camper, then drive that camper up a 9% grade holding 2nd gear for 10 minutes at 35 mph, and it's a problem. I ended up melting a chunk of the bumper fascia away:

View attachment 461985
View attachment 461986

So I ordered a cheap chrome turn-down exhaust tip from Scamazon. We'll see how it fits when it arrives.

View attachment 461987

Funny, I thought my back corner was looking more “warped” when when I bought it but thought nothing of it because of the tailpipe. Thought is was just a “funny” thing. Guess it is a bigger issue if towing lol

 

[1TONSUB]

Here's a good one for y'all. I was warned about it by another 3500 owner but since I hadn't experienced any problems, I let it ride, which was a mistake.

The exhaust exits the tailpipe just slightly above and ahead of the rear bumper plastic fascia. While not ideal, ordinarily it's not a problem. But load it up with people and hook up a camper, then drive that camper up a 9% grade holding 2nd gear for 10 minutes at 35 mph, and it's a problem. I ended up melting a chunk of the bumper fascia away:

View attachment 461985
View attachment 461986

So I ordered a cheap chrome turn-down exhaust tip from Scamazon. We'll see how it fits when it arrives.

View attachment 461987

yup been there did that