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Low Speed Thumping Noise Front Suspension

We'rehaving the exact same problem but the knuckling only happens during low speed right turns. We've taken it to the dealer 3 times but they can't find ANYTHING. It's getting worse now. Ours is a 4WD. Has anyone notice a difference in 4wd over 2wd? If anyone finds out anything else please let us know. :cool:
 
Water Dog said:
I too had a clunking at low speeds in the front end. ?But a different fix from what I've read so far in this thread. ?I have a Z66 with 15K and it was diagnosed as the steering shaft. ?The dealer disconnected the intermediate steering shaft, lubricated and so far (1000 miles) it has fixed the problem. ?Service advisor stated because of our warm weather here in Fl, the lubrication was breaking down.
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I had the same problem and what many have describe in this thread seeems very familar to the noise I was hearing. It is known at GM that the Steering shafts were leaving hte facory not properly lubed.

Mine was at the dealer today and they had to pull the steering shaft and lube - the sound is gone. On my repair notice the Tech indicated this problem was fixed per the bulletin. I had another dealer tell me this is a known problem.
 
OK so now I too can join the club of low speed noise makers. 0-10mph rotational thumping , regardless of 2 or 4 wheel drive, turning right or left. I read the threads but I'm not one to return to the dealership( bad past dealings w/ dealership not fixing problems in old car). I figure the only thing the dealer is good for is selling the vehicles!!!(and warranty work) I have a friend who is a mechanic so I figure I'll have him take a look. Anything in particular he should look at?? Steering shaft lube job... easy fix or what? I'm open for suggestions.
 
shades said:
OK so now I too can join the club of low speed noise makers. 0-10mph rotational thumping , regardless of 2 or 4 wheel drive, turning right or left. I read the threads but I'm not one to return to the dealership( bad past dealings w/ dealership not fixing problems in old car). I figure the only thing the dealer is good for is selling the vehicles!!!(and warranty work) I have a friend who is a mechanic so I figure I'll have him take a look. Anything in particular he should look at?? Steering shaft lube job... easy fix or what? I'm open for suggestions. ?
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Shades if you have't passed 36K miles, then this is warranty work - mine was done free today.
 
Thanx for the input. My AV has less than 8,000 miles on it so far and the noise just started today. Or a least that's when I noticed it. I guess I could hit the dealership tomorrow morning. How long was the fix? What did they say was the problem?
 
shades said:
Thanx for the input. My AV has less than 8,000 miles on it so far and the noise just started today. Or a least that's when I noticed it. I guess I could hit the dealership tomorrow morning. How long was the fix? What did they say was the problem?
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It took them 2-3 hours to fix - so it isn't really a sit and wait service :( They said they had to pull out the steering shaft and relube it. Good Luck
 
Spork... did you get the Av fixed yet? I'm bringing mine to the dealer tomorrow morning to see what answers they have for me. Mine has a definite rotational thunk and grind noise from what sounds like the front left side of the vehicle. Similar to a blown differential sound. But why in the front? I've only gotten to use the 4wd once last year during ski season. No noise then until a few days ago???? I'll post the results from the dealer tomorrow.
 
:) Hey guys,

I have a low freq. noise, almost like a crunching noise, coming from the center or right front of my suspension.

Any ideas on what to look for?

I'm tryin to avoid the dealer since I put the Hotchkis bars on, afraid they will say not covered due to modifications :6:

The noise is really noticable at lower speeds when driving over tar strips, expansion joints or wavy concrete. I have lubed the suspension every oil change, even replaced the unreachable zerks so I could hit them all.
:B: :B:
 
no luck yet. They had it all day friday, and couldn't find the source of the noise. I needed the truck this weekend, so I took it home, and it will go back in the shop tomorrow :8: I am not sure what they have ruled out yet, and have not made any suggestions as to things to check. I have no compiled a list of stuff from here, as to what it could be, to help them track down the problem.

Atleast they hear the noise. Usually, when I take my vehicles in to get worked on, the noise usually stops... oh well, we will see what they find, and I will post as soon as I know something more.
 
OK so the Avs at the dealer and they're supposed to call me this after noon and give me an idea of the problem. One thing they were able to tell me right off the bat is that my inspection is up this month. And, they'd be able to take care of that no problem! Leave it up to the dealer to think of making money before finding the main problem the vehicle was brought in for!!! :7: :8:
 
Chief!!---- So I too know how it feels to have blown a differential(front). Cause unknown to myself and the dealship. Since it has only seen 4wd once since last december. They didn't give me a time frame on the time for the repair but thank goodness for warranty work right?! They don't know if it's the ring or pinion yet but defintitly not good news for myself and the quality of the "truck of the year". :mad: ???
 
The dealership just called, and it seems that their isn't too much left of my front differential.... just a bunch of metal shavings...... so, looks like we will have loaner car for awhile... can't wait to see what they give us (probably a geo metro) :7:
 
So Rob, seems like we were bitten by the same differential demon.. I don't understand mine failing due to the lack of usage of 4wd( no snow last year here on LI) and how all of a sudden it appeared. Did the dealer give you a time frame for the repair? I'm waiting to hear in the a.m. about mine. It's a good thing that I'm on ?"vacation" this week and I planned on doing nothing to the AV while I had time off!!!!! (Being sarcastic of course) It's nice to see that you'll be getting a "loaner" for the time being unlike myself( had to go buy a new pair of sneakers for the walking around I'll be doing)
 
All they would say, is that it will take "a couple of days to get the parts and to fix it" As long as I have it by this weekend, I won't care too much. they can get me an economy car, and I will save money on gas in the meantime ;D

I guess this is also the 3rd AV that they have had to make this repair too.

Like you, I have not had to put mine into 4 wheel yet. so, I have no idea why it was destroyed. I only have 9k on the truck.
 
Did any of you guy's/gals that have diff problems ever check your fluid
I checked mine at 9k and both the front and rear diffs where down over a pint each
there has been a couple of threads on this issue
 
I guess that low fluid problem will be fixed now! ! !
Hopefully they will check the rearend also :0:
Well, till tomorrow :cool:
 
I notice this thumping noise more when coming over a speed bump at a slow speed and then giving some gas. Then it makes a large clunking sound, did you guys notice this as part of the problem?
 
Spork is fixed and washed. I haven't looked at the repair sheet yet, but the noise is gone.

Wvusquatch: Sounds like yours has more to do with suspension components, you might have a bad set of shocks. I think I have seen posts on here talking about problems with the Bilsteins. My problem was only evident at low speeds, and the sound remained the same over bumps etc... Would only increase/decrease, with the speed of the engine.
 
Spork - Glad your truck is fixed... the noise I have that I thought was related to the steering shaft neeing lubed is still there.

Once my truck gets rolling a litle and between 5-10mph I can realy hear a roataional grinding noise - I plan tot ake it to the dealer today - but was wondering if your truck was doing the same thing.


**** Update ****
I took AV into to General - when I was heading in I noticed that I didn't have the noise so I took the AV on an extra 5 mile route to the General - by that time the fluids had warmed up and the noise was very present. The bad news is the mechanic who took a drive with me around thier lot thinks it is the front diff :(

Are we seeing a pattern here? He told me there was some concern about the front diff's on the AV's
 
sounds like you have the same problem.

I don't know if it is a trend, but my dealership told us that they guarantee their work for 50k miles... so, it is covered for awhile atleast.
 
Spork- seems like your problem is fixed. Horaay!!! ;D for you! Unfortunatly for me I'm still waiting for parts.... :cry: The dealer is stating that the bearings in the front differential "blew up and became mush in the diff". The dealer further stated that certain parts on the Av are mass produced and go out to the lowest bidder... Hmmm
time to check out some of that :D: I'd make the suggestion if anyone else thinks they hear or does hear a noise in the front drivetrain get it checked out. Apparently, it seems to be a pattern developing. No TSB's on this yet....
 
Well my AV is back home - it is scheduled to go in Monday to get fixed.

I was told by the service advisor that I have the 1st AV they had with front diff problems - they have fixed a rear diff. ?This dealer is not very big - they sold about 30-40 AV's to date.

I hope I am not without my AV for very long next week :(
 
Mine was a single day fix - check those fluid levels folks!
 
Chief said:
Mine was a single day fix - check those fluid levels folks!
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That is good advice Chief -

FYI guys I have checked my fluid a couple times and have seen it checked during oil changes. However, I still had a problem :(
 
OK. I guess I can add my 2 cents. I have a 03' 1500 Z71
and I have 1200 miles on mine. At @800 miles, I started
hearing a thump.

It happens at a speed of 10 miles an hour at startup
time only. It feels like the driver side front to me. But
only after starting up. I don't hear any noise after that
no mater if I come to a stop 10 feet after the initial noise.

Real screwy! :9:
 
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