Vibration! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Tim Christian** · 12-24-2002, 08:20 AM

Well guys I am new to the 4x4 stuff so don't laugh at me to much but I have a bad vibration in the front end really bad when you hit 45mph not to bad untill you hit that speed. Anyway this is a 3/4 ton 69 Burb. I was wondering what I should check?

*racedvl* · 12-24-2002, 08:59 AM

Tire balance. And or the tires them selfs.

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-24-2002, 10:03 AM

Definetly check the tires. Could have a radial vibration also. Flip the front tires from side to side and see if it goes away.

Mike C · 12-24-2002, 12:35 PM

When 4x4 trucxks sit without use for a long period, the grease in the front driveshaft solidifies on one side. Check to make sure your t-case and hubs are both disengaged so that the front shaft is not rotating. Beyond that, most likely wheel/tire balance.

**Tim Christian** · 12-24-2002, 03:34 PM

Thanks Guys! I am just gun shy afraid I am going to hit a big pocketbook problem. The wife was not crazy about me buying it. Anyway it has 16.5 wagon wheel rims with 16.5 recap tires that was put on in 1992 and still has Great tread so that tells me it has been sitting about that long. Anyway I am goining to chacge the tires and rims but I am on a budget with this BurB. would you all put 15in or 16in rims on it? also what size tire? Here is a picture of it. So you all can see what is on it now. I thought about finding some 8-lug new model truck Ralleys. What do you all think?

Mike C · 12-24-2002, 03:51 PM

I'd go with 16" rims. You might have to actually since it is 3/4 ton, but that way when you DO upgrade to discs, you won't have to buy wheels AGAIN. I think 305 75 16 is 33 12.5, but as close to that is what I would run. I had no problems with 33's on the Jimmy and no lift. I don't think late model truck wheels will fit without machinining the center. They are hub centric with a smaller hub than the old trucks I believe.

Mudder · 12-24-2002, 04:03 PM

I bet it's the tires. Buy a good set of radials and I bet it cures it. have you checked u-joints, etc?

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-24-2002, 04:51 PM

15" 8 lug rims are no problem with the front drums. I'm running 15x10 w/ 31" tires on my 3/4 ton.

694X4 · 12-24-2002, 05:13 PM

I don't know about drums but if you have disks you will have to grind the calipers to fit 15" wheels.

chevypete396 · 12-25-2002, 08:46 AM

If you have re-treads that’s probably the problem.

The constancy velocity was locked up on my 3/4 tons front axle when I bought it and that created quite a bad vibe in 4 wheel. It felt like the truck was ripping in half and thought it had mixed matched gears at first.

If its in two wheel and your sure (the hubs on some of these trucks are tricky with those lame arrows and all) look hard at the alignment as well. Look for fabs to the front axle. A lot of back yard mechanics don’t believe in tape measures. But its probably just the tires.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-25-2002, 12:40 PM

As a Burb fan, I am glad to see you get one to restore. They are cool rides. We have been working on my sons now going on two years and hope to have it back on the road this summer.

We put 31.5 x 15's on his but it is a 1/2 ton four wheel drive. You may want to go 32 x 16 and we like the Ralley wheels. I have not seen them in 8 lug. Are they available?

Good luck on your project and thanks for the clock!

Jim

**Tim Christian** · 12-25-2002, 08:33 PM

Thanks again for the help! Ok I am going to go with 16X8's I am going to buy the American Racing Wheels Chrome Sliders off of Tennman. Now my next question on size and Brand-Type of tire. I will probably go with Mike C on the 305/75/16 on size. What do you all think? Also what brand-type? I want a smooth and quite ridding tire. Any sugestions?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-25-2002, 09:52 PM

We run the Goodyear Wrangler RTS on our trucks. They are quiet, ride nice, and we like the way they look.

Jim

*racedvl* · 12-25-2002, 10:58 PM

I have Wrangler ATS's on my truck, and they have good traction, and are not too nosiey. This is one a 87 4x4 suburban. Half ton, with 31's.

Mike C · 12-25-2002, 11:30 PM

For on-road truck tires, I like Michelins. For off-road tires, BFG. I am not a big fan of ATs, but if you put a lot of highway miles on it you will be happier. If you want to tear it up off-road, the BFG MT's rock. I will NOT buy another bias tire for a vehicle that spends ANY time on the road. I put over 60k miles combined on two sets of Mickey T's, and my BFG MTs are better on road AND off.

ckhd · 12-26-2002, 11:03 AM

Is it a vibration or a shimmy (shake, whatever). All three of my K's at one time had worn leaf spring bushings, and it would cause it to shake at a certain speed. The '69 was so bad that it would knock things off the dash. The '68 does it a tiny bit at 45 and if I hadn't had the problem with the '69 then I'd probably think it was a vibration too. The burb has a very small one, but it's getting all the front/rear bushings, tie rod ends, etc replaced come tax return time.

ckhd · 12-26-2002, 11:04 AM

Put the rear tires on the front to see if it still does it. Borrow someone elses tires would probably be best.

**Tim Christian** · 12-26-2002, 06:37 PM

Drove her around all day today! Put the 4-wheel drive into action she will climb a tree

The more I drive her the better she gets. I will get new tires and wheels on her in the next 3 or 4 weeks(Christmas has me broke!) I also need to put a heater core in and would like to find some straight dump ram horns for a 4-wheel drive somebody put headers on it and I am getting old and like the Quite thing!

6869704X4 · 12-29-2002, 10:23 AM

I didnt see ball joints mentioned. Do the 69s have them? A good steering stabilizer helped mine a bunch.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 12-29-2002, 11:42 AM

If you plan to tow with it i would stay on the conservative side with tire height. Tall tires eat up power.
Randy

12-24-2002, 08:20 AM	#1
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Vibration! Well guys I am new to the 4x4 stuff so don't laugh at me to much but I have a bad vibration in the front end really bad when you hit 45mph not to bad untill you hit that speed. Anyway this is a 3/4 ton 69 Burb. I was wondering what I should check?

12-24-2002, 10:03 AM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Definetly check the tires. Could have a radial vibration also. Flip the front tires from side to side and see if it goes away. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

12-24-2002, 12:35 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,712	When 4x4 trucxks sit without use for a long period, the grease in the front driveshaft solidifies on one side. Check to make sure your t-case and hubs are both disengaged so that the front shaft is not rotating. Beyond that, most likely wheel/tire balance. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

12-24-2002, 03:34 PM	#5
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Thanks Guys! I am just gun shy afraid I am going to hit a big pocketbook problem. The wife was not crazy about me buying it. Anyway it has 16.5 wagon wheel rims with 16.5 recap tires that was put on in 1992 and still has Great tread so that tells me it has been sitting about that long. Anyway I am goining to chacge the tires and rims but I am on a budget with this BurB. would you all put 15in or 16in rims on it? also what size tire? Here is a picture of it. So you all can see what is on it now. I thought about finding some 8-lug new model truck Ralleys. What do you all think? Attached Images

12-24-2002, 03:51 PM	#6
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,712	I'd go with 16" rims. You might have to actually since it is 3/4 ton, but that way when you DO upgrade to discs, you won't have to buy wheels AGAIN. I think 305 75 16 is 33 12.5, but as close to that is what I would run. I had no problems with 33's on the Jimmy and no lift. I don't think late model truck wheels will fit without machinining the center. They are hub centric with a smaller hub than the old trucks I believe. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

12-24-2002, 08:59 AM	#2
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Tire balance. And or the tires them selfs.

12-24-2002, 04:03 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	I bet it's the tires. Buy a good set of radials and I bet it cures it. have you checked u-joints, etc?

12-24-2002, 04:51 PM	#8
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	15" 8 lug rims are no problem with the front drums. I'm running 15x10 w/ 31" tires on my 3/4 ton. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

12-24-2002, 05:13 PM	#9
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	I don't know about drums but if you have disks you will have to grind the calipers to fit 15" wheels. __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-25-2002, 08:46 AM	#10
chevypete396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fernley, Nevada, USA Posts: 540	If you have re-treads that’s probably the problem. The constancy velocity was locked up on my 3/4 tons front axle when I bought it and that created quite a bad vibe in 4 wheel. It felt like the truck was ripping in half and thought it had mixed matched gears at first. If its in two wheel and your sure (the hubs on some of these trucks are tricky with those lame arrows and all) look hard at the alignment as well. Look for fabs to the front axle. A lot of back yard mechanics don’t believe in tape measures. But its probably just the tires. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 3/4 Ton - 4X4 - Longbed - 383ci - TH350 - NP205 Building the motor, painting the engine bay, rewireing everything... (775)-527-1199 / ryanspeterson@msn.com

12-25-2002, 12:40 PM	#11
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	As a Burb fan, I am glad to see you get one to restore. They are cool rides. We have been working on my sons now going on two years and hope to have it back on the road this summer. We put 31.5 x 15's on his but it is a 1/2 ton four wheel drive. You may want to go 32 x 16 and we like the Ralley wheels. I have not seen them in 8 lug. Are they available? Good luck on your project and thanks for the clock! Jim

12-25-2002, 08:33 PM	#12
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Thanks again for the help! Ok I am going to go with 16X8's I am going to buy the American Racing Wheels Chrome Sliders off of Tennman. Now my next question on size and Brand-Type of tire. I will probably go with Mike C on the 305/75/16 on size. What do you all think? Also what brand-type? I want a smooth and quite ridding tire. Any sugestions?

12-25-2002, 09:52 PM	#13
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We run the Goodyear Wrangler RTS on our trucks. They are quiet, ride nice, and we like the way they look. Jim

12-25-2002, 10:58 PM	#14
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I have Wrangler ATS's on my truck, and they have good traction, and are not too nosiey. This is one a 87 4x4 suburban. Half ton, with 31's.

12-25-2002, 11:30 PM	#15
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,712	For on-road truck tires, I like Michelins. For off-road tires, BFG. I am not a big fan of ATs, but if you put a lot of highway miles on it you will be happier. If you want to tear it up off-road, the BFG MT's rock. I will NOT buy another bias tire for a vehicle that spends ANY time on the road. I put over 60k miles combined on two sets of Mickey T's, and my BFG MTs are better on road AND off. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



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12-26-2002, 11:03 AM	#16
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Is it a vibration or a shimmy (shake, whatever). All three of my K's at one time had worn leaf spring bushings, and it would cause it to shake at a certain speed. The '69 was so bad that it would knock things off the dash. The '68 does it a tiny bit at 45 and if I hadn't had the problem with the '69 then I'd probably think it was a vibration too. The burb has a very small one, but it's getting all the front/rear bushings, tie rod ends, etc replaced come tax return time. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

12-26-2002, 11:04 AM	#17
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Put the rear tires on the front to see if it still does it. Borrow someone elses tires would probably be best. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

12-26-2002, 06:37 PM	#18
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Drove her around all day today! Put the 4-wheel drive into action she will climb a tree The more I drive her the better she gets. I will get new tires and wheels on her in the next 3 or 4 weeks(Christmas has me broke!) I also need to put a heater core in and would like to find some straight dump ram horns for a 4-wheel drive somebody put headers on it and I am getting old and like the Quite thing!

12-29-2002, 10:23 AM	#19
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	I didnt see ball joints mentioned. Do the 69s have them? A good steering stabilizer helped mine a bunch. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

12-29-2002, 11:42 AM	#20
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	If you plan to tow with it i would stay on the conservative side with tire height. Tall tires eat up power. Randy __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

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