Front end gurus.. I need some advice

[pnwdan]

2004 Denali
about 5" drop
22" wheels
170k miles and unknown maintenance history

Here is my issue. I have vibration that starts rough about 70 and then continues but lessens at higher speeds. I've had my wheels balanced 3 times in the last month ( my kid works at discount tire) and rotated them to see if the vibration moves. I've checked for the common slop/wear and although I can't see anything I've started replacing the known items because of the milage. The vibration use to start at 65 but I replaced the tie rods and the speed it starts went up. I've replaced the pitman and idler arms. I have new upper arms with ball joints and lower ball joints both not installed yet. I'm wondering if anyone has seen the vibration come from somewhere else like the front drive shaft, cv shafts, or ..? I know the center link lends to the front end moving around a bit and there is a kit out there to stabilize it. Just not sure if that's the issue

Any advice would help

 

[adventurenali92]

Had not exactly the same issue. But a lot of play in my 2006 Denali XL front end. The whole front end just seemed really loose. Pitman arms replaced and front sway bar bushings replaced and the issues were solved. Check out,your front sway bar. Might help. If the bushings are bad that could cause the vibrations you're feeling.

 

[pnwdan]

Had not exactly the same issue. But a lot of play in my 2006 Denali XL front end. The whole front end just seemed really loose. Pitman arms replaced and front sway bar bushings replaced and the issues were solved. Check out,your front sway bar. Might help. If the bushings are bad that could cause the vibrations you're feeling.

Interesting. Cheap and couldn't hurt. I'll order those up too.

 

[adventurenali92]

Yeah the bushings are fairly cheap. And easy to get to as well

 

[emilime75]

Does Discount Tire road force balance? When you replaced the tie rods, did you do both inners and outers?Also, worn shocks could cause vibrations. Get your control arms/ball joints installed, check the shocks and get it aligned.

 

[pnwdan]

Does Discount Tire road force balance? When you replaced the tie rods, did you do both inners and outers?Also, worn shocks could cause vibrations. Get your control arms/ball joints installed, check the shocks and get it aligned.

Discount has the Hunter Road Force machine but my kids manager told me it's not worth it. Who knows.. I use to have Les Schwab road force balance my off road tires. I have all new bilstein shocks with the auto ride disabled. I did both inner and outer tie rods. I'll finish up the other bits and get the truck realigned. I also ordered new hub bearings yesterday. I figure even if that isn't the issue I might as well do them too.

 

[emilime75]

Not worth it? Not sure what that means. Years ago, when my brother was a tech for BMW, we saw tires that balanced out great on a regular machine fail on the road force balancer. I don't see how it couldn't "be worth it", especially when you're chasing a vibration issue after replacing all of the usual suspects. I'm not saying it'll definitely fix your problem but, it's certainly worth a try.

Oh, your wheels...are they OEM GM, after market...most importantly, are they hubcentric?

 

[pnwdan]

Made by Dub but are hubcentric

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[SlowD]

Wow man I have the same issue, a rumble strip/reverberating vibration over 70mph and have always suspected my 22" DUB Baller rims since they balance out within 2 ounces when doing a standard balance BUT when road force balanced it goes all red and informs you to dismount and remount the tires... All of which I have tried and the rims will never balance out perfect even when the tires are moved around.
The vibration remains to this day and maybe it's a coincidence but all of my suspension is tight and I took a stethoscope to everything while it was running in the air and I couldn't locate anything other than usual AWD drivetrain noise.

If you ever figure it out let me know, if I had stock rims I would throw them back on just to see if the rumble/vibration goes away...

 

[bottomline2000]

Had not exactly the same issue. But a lot of play in my 2006 Denali XL front end. The whole front end just seemed really loose. Pitman arms replaced and front sway bar bushings replaced and the issues were solved. Check out,your front sway bar. Might help. If the bushings are bad that could cause the vibrations you're feeling.

I've been fighting a loose feeling front end. I've replaced almost everything including sway bar bushings and end links. There's only 2 things I haven't done are lower control arm bushings and hub bearings which have over 100k since last replaced. Maybe they are bad again. Curious if you find a fix. I know that cognito kit seems part of the solution but damn expensive for what's in it. Curious to see if you find the fix.