Vibration at 30-35mph w/ '11 Tahoe

[TaHoeHoHo]

Hi, recently picked up 2011 used Tahoe LT - 12k miles. One thing I've noticed is pretty significant vibration at 30-35mph; almost as if truck is in wrong gear due to low RPMs.

If I go faster or slower, vibration disappears. Anyone know what may be causing this?

 

[HOE-N-IT]

Does it do it even if you are coasting at those speeds? If so it is probably not low RPM. It shouldn't vibrate even if the motor lugs but you can use manual mode to keep it in a lower gear and see if it still vibrates. You may also want the get the wheels/tires road forced balanced. The road force balancer also checks to see if a tire is out of round or has high spots. This can set up a vibration even at only certain speeds.

BTW I HATED my six speed until I got a Black Bear tune. Under light to moderate acceleration mine wanted to up shift way to soon and lug (but didn't vibrate) and then not downshift when needed unless I gave it a lot of gas. Now it always shifts at the right time for the throttle load, has more hang time in each gear and always down shifts when needed.

 

[edgaranah1]

Yeah u may want to balance your tires. Although I'm pretty sure a '11 tahoe shouldn't need it.

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[KMeloney]

If it's like my chugging/bogging/vibrating situation at the same speeds, then it's not a tire/wheel issue. It's something else. Don't know what yet, but it's no fun -- and mine is getting worse...

 

[GM Customer Service]

TaHoeHoHo,

I'm sorry you are having this problem. Have you taken your vehicle into the dealer for this issue? Your Tahoe is a 2011 and only has 12,000 miles on it, you should be under all of your warranties. Please let me know, thank you!

Evan, Chevrolet Customer Service

Hi, recently picked up 2011 used Tahoe LT - 12k miles. One thing I've noticed is pretty significant vibration at 30-35mph; almost as if truck is in wrong gear due to low RPMs.

If I go faster or slower, vibration disappears. Anyone know what may be causing this?

 

[TaHoeHoHo]

If it's like my chugging/bogging/vibrating situation at the same speeds, then it's not a tire/wheel issue. It's something else. Don't know what yet, but it's no fun -- and mine is getting worse...

I have a suspicion it's related to what HOE-N-IT said -- about it up-shifting too soon. It reminds me of the feeling a "manual/standard" tranny car drives like when you're in too-high-of-a-gear (for lower speeds).

 

[felixgun]

Does it do it even if you are coasting at those speeds? If so it is probably not low RPM. It shouldn't vibrate even if the motor lugs but you can use manual mode to keep it in a lower gear and see if it still vibrates. You may also want the get the wheels/tires road forced balanced. The road force balancer also checks to see if a tire is out of round or has high spots. This can set up a vibration even at only certain speeds.

BTW I HATED my six speed until I got a Black Bear tune. Under light to moderate acceleration mine wanted to up shift way to soon and lug (but didn't vibrate) and then not downshift when needed unless I gave it a lot of gas. Now it always shifts at the right time for the throttle load, has more hang time in each gear and always down shifts when needed.

I'm thinking I need to get a BB tune for my 6.2L/6 speed trans. I'm getting late shifting points in between gears which I've read about online and can be remedied via BBT.

 

[KMeloney]

I have a suspicion it's related to what HOE-N-IT said -- about it up-shifting too soon. It reminds me of the feeling a "manual/standard" tranny car drives like when you're in too-high-of-a-gear (for lower speeds).

That's exactly what it feels like. I've used that same exact description here before, too.

 

[DwDrummer]

It's in the rear end! My dads 08 Silverado did this and mine did too! It's very fustrating but the dealer didn't fix my dads truck. They blamed it on the wheel and tires being out of balance even replaced a tire I believe. He bought the truck new and to this day it's still doing it.

 

[edgaranah1]

Then I would say the six speed transmission sucks. Although I have felt that on my 4 speed to. It feels like it needs to be on another gear and feels like a loss of power. Is that what u guys are experiencing?

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[KMeloney]

It's in the rear end! My dads 08 Silverado did this and mine did too! It's very fustrating but the dealer didn't fix my dads truck. They blamed it on the wheel and tires being out of balance even replaced a tire I believe. He bought the truck new and to this day it's still doing it.

D -- Need more info! I'd believe that this is in the rear. Me, I've been getting a vibration through different RPM/speed combos, braking or through a certain amount of throttle input. That, and...

...Yes, edgar, that's what I'm experiencing. I've dropped the shifter into manual mode a bunch of times to see what gear I'm in, and this truck will be in 4th going up a grade at 30 mph. No way that's the right gear. And going from braking to accelerating (coming out of a corner, say) it's jerky and just bad.

I have to solve this or I'm going to go crazy. I've got something on the way that I'll have a non-dealer mechanic I know install, and I'll run all of my symptoms by him then. Maybe he can shed some light on it.

 

[DwDrummer]

My dad never got his truck fixed so I'm really not sure what the exact fix will be sorry. I do know that the strange vibration is coming from the rear end. We noticed his truck started to vibrate from around 29 mph to around 35mph I think. I sold my 08 Silverado so I'm not sure if the new owner ever got the problem fixed but the truck was still under warranty when I sold it to him. I think it's a pretty common problem and both of our trucks were 08's. If you find the problem please PM me so we can get out truck to the dealer and hopefully get it fixed! Good luck Kirk!

 

[2007tahoe]

My rearend whines pretty loud on the highway, but does not vibrate. I pulled the the cover awhile back and the gears looked great so I filled it with royal purple but its still just as loud. My friend has a 2006 and it the dealer changed his driveshaft and his vibration when away. That dealer said that was a very common problem.

 

[992dr]

I know this is an old thread but, I'm curious to know what the outcome was.

Any updates?

 

[TaHoeHoHo]

No outcome. I'm almost sure it's because of the RPM level at those speeds. If I put tow/haul mode on (so RPMs are higher at the same speed) the vibration stops.

It reminds me of driving a manual transmission car that's in a gear too high for the speed. You get that laggy/chattery feeling until you down-shift.

 

[sickk23]

So like lugging, like a truck that has tires that are too big. That sucks man. Could it be a motor mount or have to do with the active fuel management system?

 

[992dr]

No outcome. I'm almost sure it's because of the RPM level at those speeds. If I put tow/haul mode on (so RPMs are higher at the same speed) the vibration stops.

It reminds me of driving a manual transmission car that's in a gear too high for the speed. You get that laggy/chattery feeling until you down-shift.

That's just odd. Its most definitely not normal. It might be your converter.
Like you if, I drop it down to 3rd, it goes away. Not completely, it has come back while driving in 3rd as well.

That has been one of the better ways I've heard it being described. I'm talking with a trans specific shop now about mine. It could be as simple as a solenoid, as soon as I get mine resolved, I'll post up the outcome.

So like lugging, like a truck that has tires that are too big. That sucks man. Could it be a motor mount or have to do with the active fuel management system?

The AFM/DOD could be the culprit. I know it causes other issues.
Mine started after I had some work done to it.

 

[nick2440]

I noticed the low mileage on your truck. is it possible it was sitting for so long that the tires developed flat spots? I had a truck years ago and couldnt figure out why there was vibration at low speeds and it turned out the tires were bad from the truck sitting for so long

 

[JSMillar]

Anyone else getting this. My '11 Denali shudders under light acceleration.


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[GM Customer Service]

Hey JSMillar,

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern with your Denali. I cannot guarantee anything, but I will be glad to look further into this for you. Please send us a private message referencing this thread if we can be of any assistance. Thank you.

Kristen A.
GM Customer Care