Family vacation revelations

[08HoeCD]

Driving out a couple hundred miles, tooling around the destination for a week, and then driving back brings certain things to light that may go unnoticed during daily driving:

1. It's a pain in the ass for door lock actuators to fail, even if it's just intermittently. I'm replacing my driver-side rear door assembly this weekend, so both rear doors will have new actuators. I will cross my fingers that they both last at least a few years.
2. Noticeable vibration when driving at speeds of 65 mph or greater; braking induces similar vibration. Thinking it's one or more wheels that are way out of balance; getting all re-balanced Sunday.
3. Still listening to the 90-day free satellite radio setup, and lately it seems to wipe out for a second (or five) every other song, even though I'm never in a tunnel or under a wide bridge, etc. What's up with that?
4. It's GREAT to be able to start the vehicle up and have it begin to cool well before wife & girls even get inside, and that backup camera is money.

 

[Yugo]

Just got back myself from a family trip. 1000 miles round trip from VA to OH. I did notice myself the occasional vibration when braking, which was especially noticeable during 1mile long downhill runs thru WV, which can be scary in this big SUV, especially with 6 people inside.

Overall these things are the most comfortable long trip vehicles I have ever ridden in.

 

[MichaelSE]

Hmmm, I also get vibration while braking at highway speeds, but oddly, it's only when going down a steep hill. I drive a mountain pass every weekend that's so steep the Suburban would be going nearly 100 by the time it levels off if I didn't brake. So naturally I brake down the hill to avoid Mr. Law. Anyone know if this might be a wheel balancing or brake rotor out-of-round issue? Ubervic, let us know if re-balancing fixes your issue.

Was it very cloudy during your trip? Sometimes I'll lose satellite coverage with cloud cover.

Anyway, the remote start was one of those things I never thought I'd use. When I bought the Suburban I was like "Oh, it has remote start? That's cool I guess." Now I find myself starting it from my living room nearly every day. Helpful since we have hit 100 degrees a few times here in southern NM.

 

[08HoeCD]

Hmmm, I also get vibration while braking at highway speeds, but oddly, it's only when going down a steep hill. I drive a mountain pass every weekend that's so steep the Suburban would be going nearly 100 by the time it levels off if I didn't brake. So naturally I brake down the hill to avoid Mr. Law. Anyone know if this might be a wheel balancing or brake rotor out-of-round issue? Ubervic, let us know if re-balancing fixes your issue.

Was it very cloudy during your trip? Sometimes I'll lose satellite coverage with cloud cover.

Anyway, the remote start was one of those things I never thought I'd use. When I bought the Suburban I was like "Oh, it has remote start? That's cool I guess." Now I find myself starting it from my living room nearly every day. Helpful since we have hit 100 degrees a few times here in southern NM.

My vibration issue is not brake-related, as I had brakes resurfaced and pads replaced less than 60 days ago. Will advise once re-balancing of tires is complete---planning for tomorrow (Sunday).

Interesting comment regarding satellite reception with cloud cover. But I did not lose reception during especially cloudy periods. (I had satellite for 3 years in my Challenger and never had reception issues like I did over the past week; I'd lose reception in that vehicle only when in a parking garage, under a wide bridge, in a tunnel, etc.) Today, during about 5 hours of drive time, I never experienced the issue. Strange---I wonder if it had something to do with the location I was in during vacation. Not a scientific conclusion; just wondering.

I never used the remote start until about a month ago. Sure makes getting into the vehicle on a hot, sunny day more pleasant, since that a/c is running prior to entering...and I'm sure it'll be a welcome feature when temps are below-freezing.

 

[08HoeCD]

Replaced the door lock actuator Sunday afternoon. I've got that task down to roughly 20 minutes now.

Decided to take the vehicle to my local Chevy dealer for best diagnosis of vibration issue. Service advisor seems very knowledgeable and experienced with this issue, so will advise once I hear back and they tackle it later today.

 

[Yugo]

Keep us posted. How much do door actuators run?

 

[08HoeCD]

Keep us posted. How much do door actuators run?

You can score a complete OEM replacement assembly for just over $100.00. I sourced mine on ebay from reputable GM parts sellers. Note, however, that it's literally the same unit as the original failure-prone unit, and thus it is not guaranteed to operate without failure forever. The motors are under-powered for the task at hand, and so they are very likely to burn up over time. I hope that my two new units last me for five years or so, but you never know.

I contacted Gruven for their upgraded-motor assembly, as I understand that those are essentially good to go forever but they don't stock them all the time. And I've not got the tools or skills to rebuild my actuator with their motor. Oh well.

 

[08HoeCD]

UPDATE: Dealer rotated & re-balanced all four (4) tires for $70.00. All were out of balance. Vehicle handles incredibly smoother now, noticeable even at low & moderate speeds. Still have a very slight shudder from time to time during braking from varying speeds, but nothing like before. I'm pretty satisfied at the moment.

On the other hand, I am now certain that I need to replace front lower control arms, as lower ball joints are pretty much done. Recommendations? Moog? Dorman?

 

[MichaelSE]

UPDATE: Dealer rotated & re-balanced all four (4) tires for $70.00. All were out of balance. Vehicle handles incredibly smoother now, noticeable even at low & moderate speeds. Still have a very slight shudder from time to time during braking from varying speeds, but nothing like before. I'm pretty satisfied at the moment.

On the other hand, I am now certain that I need to replace front lower control arms, as lower ball joints are pretty much done. Recommendations? Moog? Dorman?

Glad to hear that balancing took most of the vibrations away. What makes you think your ball joints are done? Lots of play? I've used both Moog & Dorman ball joints (in other vehicles, never changed out the Suburban's cause I haven't owned it long) and had no issues with either brand.

 

[08HoeCD]

Glad to hear that balancing took most of the vibrations away. What makes you think your ball joints are done? Lots of play? I've used both Moog & Dorman ball joints (in other vehicles, never changed out the Suburban's cause I haven't owned it long) and had no issues with either brand.

I've had two different shops specifically call-out my lower ball joints as having excessive play. Vehicle's got 129k miles, so no big surprise.