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2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Platform: GMT 400, 800, 900

vibration at a steady speed

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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 12:17 AM
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Default vibration at a steady speed

ok so something completely new with our Tahoe never felt it until maybe a day or 2 ago...now that I have noticed it I can feel it really anytime going above 40mph but holding steady speed going up a slight incline. we just took a 700 mile round trip this weekend so I noticed it A LOT. basically when crusing flat it is 100% smooth but when we start going up a very slight hill it starts vibrating (like the tires are out of balance) but they are not. The whole dang truck vibrates - enough to be real annoying

if I am using cruise and I increase the MPH 1 or drop it down 1 the vibration goes away until the truck settles into that speed and it starts again. same thing happens w/o cruise, if I give it a bit of gas or let off it goes away.

it is like when the torque converter is locked up ,maybe - it doesnt do it when accelerating quickly but only when just enough to hold speed and not downshif

so I think it is something to do with the engine mounts or maybe the driveshaft?

wondering if anyone else can chime in. I plan on taking it in next week when I am off work.
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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 9:16 PM
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Did you notice if the vibration coincided with the V4 mode?
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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 10:11 PM
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if anything it starts when it changes from V4 to V8 when going up a slight incline to hold speed. it will vibrate the whole time unless I adjust the speed up or down, then it will be smooth again once the road levels back out.
I have noticed it a few times even driving around town so I am thinking something is out of balance for sure - what exactly I dont know yet. But considering it doesnt do it all the time (only in specific situations I listed) I would have to rule out the tires right?

I will try to take it in this Wednesday when Im off work.
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:30 AM
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Upon acceleration would tend to lead me to thinking a misfire but that should be showing up with a code unless its not that bad yet...
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:48 AM
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it is not just when accelerating - it is only when holding speed going up a slight hill. so imagine just a bit more stress on the drivetrain. accelerating normally is 100% fine or even up a hill is fine. so that is why I am thinking maybe engine mounts or driveshaft
no codes and gas mileage is still very good (well for this thing on the highway). we got nearly 21mpg for the whole trip
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:52 AM
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You could rotate the tires just to see if any thing changes...
check and make sure nothing is wrapped around the drive shaft and give the U-joints a check for anything obvious is a good place to start before taking it in...
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 2:05 PM
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yes I may try that 1st. it was enough for my wife to notice so I know it was legit! there are a few other things I was going to have them fix also. noticed the power lumbar in the passanger seat doesnt work anymore and some other minor things. either way I will update the thread once it is fixed/figured out
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 7:57 PM
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dealership couldnt get it to do the same thing (of course), but they said they were overbooked and understaffed so asked if I could come in mid Jan so they could really look at better. I used the same service guy as I always have and he also thinks it is a torque converter issue and plans on replacing it all when I come back. He also said he heard some valve ticking. I have not really noticed. But he said he heard it 2 times and will look at that also when I come back in. So it could be a combination or 1 or the other. I will follow up
BTW they did replace our power lumbar system in the passenger seat- $100 deductable since I got the extended warranty, would have cost nearly $400...
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 10:38 PM
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the only thing that hasn't been mentioned that comes to my mind is driveshaft out of balance... I mean check motor and trans mounts, but if your sure it ain't the tires, and without any other symptoms thats where I'd look.


:chug:
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Old Dec 22, 2011 | 11:03 PM
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the tires arent great by any means but considering is only happens when going under slight load I consider it has to be a drivetrain issue. I agree I told them to check the TQ converter or the driveshaft. but I will certainly update after I take it back in a few weeks
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