Extremely Annoying Vibration/Rattle Sound

[NightFallInc]

Does anyone else have any experience with a very loud, metallic vibration sound, seeming to come from beneath the forward portion of the vehicle?

I've given the undercarriage a look on a few occasions, with and without a flashlight, but short of putting it up on a lift, I can't see EVERYTHING that I'd like to have a view of.

The sound reminds me of the vibration I had on a vehicle years ago, that turned out to be one of the heat shields for the exhaust piping which had come unsecured and started to vibrate under certain circumstances.

Problem is, I only hear it at the oddest times - especially when I'm in line at a drive-through or something, and go from a full stop to giving it a bit of gas, as the line moves forward. I realize that some of this is due to the fact that I'm very close to a building, so the sound echoes back to me with more volume than it otherwise would.

If anyone's had this problem before, I'd really appreciate your thoughts or tips as to what it might be, and how difficult it is to put a stop to, because it's driving me crazy. If all else fails, I suppose I'll have to take it somewhere and get it up on a lift so I can see what's bolted down tight versus what's easy to move by hand...

Thanks in advance for your input - looking forward to being noise-free!

 

[Chiggy]

I'd say it's the steering intermediate shaft. Mine is banging around and driving me crazy. It's a very common issue and I'll be replacing mine this week if I have the time. I've had mine on a lift looking for what it might be and can't find anything. A friend rode with me just a few blocks and said that's what it was because he's encountered it before. My Tahoe is my first GM product.

 

[SLCHOE]

Does anyone else have any experience with a very loud, metallic vibration sound, seeming to come from beneath the forward portion of the vehicle?

I've given the undercarriage a look on a few occasions, with and without a flashlight, but short of putting it up on a lift, I can't see EVERYTHING that I'd like to have a view of.

The sound reminds me of the vibration I had on a vehicle years ago, that turned out to be one of the heat shields for the exhaust piping which had come unsecured and started to vibrate under certain circumstances.

Problem is, I only hear it at the oddest times - especially when I'm in line at a drive-through or something, and go from a full stop to giving it a bit of gas, as the line moves forward. I realize that some of this is due to the fact that I'm very close to a building, so the sound echoes back to me with more volume than it otherwise would.

If anyone's had this problem before, I'd really appreciate your thoughts or tips as to what it might be, and how difficult it is to put a stop to, because it's driving me crazy. If all else fails, I suppose I'll have to take it somewhere and get it up on a lift so I can see what's bolted down tight versus what's easy to move by hand...

Thanks in advance for your input - looking forward to being noise-free!

Could be a catalytic converter going bad. Get under the vehicle and give the cats a few firm blows with the outside of your fist. If it rattles inside, the substarate has broken loose and it's time to replace it and also have your engine checked out for running rich.

 

[NightFallInc]

I'd say it's the steering intermediate shaft. Mine is banging around and driving me crazy. It's a very common issue and I'll be replacing mine this week if I have the time. I've had mine on a lift looking for what it might be and can't find anything. A friend rode with me just a few blocks and said that's what it was because he's encountered it before. My Tahoe is my first GM product.

I'll definitely look into that - thanks!

---------- Post added at 05:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:48 PM ----------

Could be a catalytic converter going bad. Get under the vehicle and give the cats a few firm blows with the outside of your fist. If it rattles inside, the substarate has broken loose and it's time to replace it and also have your engine checked out for running rich.

This sounds like something it could definitely be, since as I said before, it reminds me of an exhaust heat shield rattle I had previously encountered. Being a part of the exhaust would certainly make sense, based on the particular sound it's making, so I'm going to have a look under there as soon as I get a chance, and see just what's happening with the cats...

Thanks!

 

[MonstroniuM]

I believe I have the same sound, and problem. Please let us know what you find. Would love to see whats causing that god awful racket under my truck.

 

[dejackson1064]

I have had the same prob with my 2004 tahoe and 2004 yukon. Did you ever figure it out?

 

[Bigyella]

Me too! This sounds like same sound I have, it started a couple of days ago and it's driving me crazy! LOL

 

[treehan77]

try "exercising" the ISS before you replace it. This might help you marrow the problem and make sure that it is, in fact, the noise. And on mine, i did this and its never made the noise again in months. Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W7TjXG_BAs

---------- Post added at 07:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 AM ----------

try "execrising" the ISS before you replace it. This might help you marrow the problem and make sure that it is, in fact, the noise. And on mine, i did this and its never made the noise again in months. Its only one bolt, just make sure you lock the steering wheel from moving first (use seatbelt/duct tape whatever so it can't turn) Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W7TjXG_BAs

 

[sbubbaklein]

make sure you examine the vehicle on a drive on lift with the suspension supporting the vehicle. With a post lift you will have the suspension hanging rather than normal ride height.

 

[VikingTrad3r]

so I'm going to have a look under there as soon as I get a chance, and see just what's happening with the cats...

Thanks![/QUOTE]

did you ever hit the cats with a mallet? im interested to know the outcome.