Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolferz
Our tune up guy was handed a brand new Caprice off the lot to fix after they discovered it wouldn't start. It was back in the early 80's right after GM started putting ECM computers in the cars. It was a v-6 and he discovered that it was only firing the plugs on the left bank cylinders. The right bank was totally dead. He scratched his head over that one all day. Replaced the chip twice, then replaced the ECM, again, twice and it still wouldn't run. I finally suggested that he go get another identical unit off the lot and switch the ECM's. Both ran perfectly.
Slap on the FM sticker and get them out of here. 
I'm still researching your problem, Webster. I didn't forget about you. 
So far, I've only found one reply from an alleged GM certified master mechanic who suggests that a .033 shim needs to be placed under the motor mount on the drivers side. It is possible that normal engine vibrations could be transferred into the frame. That mount is very close to the steering connector shaft. If it hits harmonic resonance at the speeds you've indicated, coupled with road conditions, it's very possible for it to be felt a little in the steering wheel and more so through the rest of the chassis. |
best way to describe it is it feels like a tie rod end that's got slack letting it wiggle when you hit just the right speed on a smooth road when slightly accelerating to put outward (or maybe inward) pressure on the front of the tires. at least that's what I "think" it feels like after having chased down lots of worn out front end parts over the years.
from what I read the list of GM suggested causes is:
rear end gears
shim the rear end angle for being too straight inline u-joint issues
drive shaft out of balance or twisted/out of round
electronic power steering freaking out on smooth patch of road unable to sense road feedback so it rapidly checks side to side steering slack
shimming the drivers side motor mount (I thought this was something about correcting the drive shaft alignment)
cheap grade of factory tires being out of round and tell customers its flat spots
wheels and or rims out of balance or tread/belt is crooked on the tire
its normal for trucks to shake so tell customer its supposed to be that way
Quote:
Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk
What is the LEMON LAW in your state? Some states have a law stating that a new vehicle with the same issue is addressed 3 times and not resolved the manufacturer takes the vehicle back and replaces with another and or the down payment is returned with loan paid off.
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here in Louisiana it takes 4 unsuccessful repairs for the same issue to force the dealer to fix or "replace" the vehicle but the key is since they can claim its not a safety issue they can get away with saying its a normal condition and not something that needs to be repaired. after that lemon law cant help you because its not a safety issue to make the vehicle unsafe or unusable. you get stuck in that grey area between whats right and the letter of the law as to what they "have to" do.
it is my understanding thou that GM dealers want a good reputation so they work out a deal on taking the truck in trade at "not much" of a loss and get you into another vehicle but that's only after you get to the lemon law part
Quote:
Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk
Webster,
The Bridgestone Dueler HT tires are ok tires and likely not your issue. We never experienced flat spots or vibration issues. Furthermore, flat spots are really a thing of the past and mostly affects bias ply tires. The newer radial design is far superior. These tires would have to sit for years to really develop a flat spot. However, as the Duelers wear the sipes are no longer useful at the edge of the tread face and they become dangerous in the rain. Hydoplane is a problem with these crap tires. I had a set on my wife's truck. It was all over the road when the tread sipes on the shoulder were worn enough to not allow water to channel off. I dropped them like a bad habit and installed a set of Cooper's. Damn fine tire. As far as the tire balance..if the "mechanic' is worth his weight he should be able to find and fix any lateral run out the tire if there is any present. Also, sometimes a tire requires to be spun 180 degrees on the wheel to help set the bead evenly and prevent run out. All of this sounds great but I suspect the tires are not the issue.
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well you cant believe most of what you read on the internet but from what I understand the tires they put on these factory vehicles are the lowest possible grade and NOT anything close to the ones you and I go buy at the retail tire dealers. I see comments about them being very low load and speed ratings and googling Bridgestone Dueler HT vibration out of round issues you see quite a few issues with them so there are "some" issues, the same goes for the goodyears but they also say the tires you buy don't have those issues and aren't the same as the ones on these trucks weather they are lower quality rejects or just made without the same QC as the retail tires are
bridgestone tire vibration issues:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Brid...oe=&gws_rd=ssl
personally I have had lots of problems with bridgestones and dangerous blowouts because I think they make the rubber too hard to claim high mileages but I never had any problem with goodyears, Uniroyal, or general tires