Death Wobble at 45+

Bowtieordie221 · May 15, 2016

Hey Guys, first time posting on this particular forum but I'm hoping somebody can give me an answer. I've always been a Chevy guy, and recently sold my 2006 Duramax because of some transmission issues that the shop and dealer couldn't figure out. Now, my 2016 with 6k miles is having issues that the dealer can't figure out, and they are intermittent. It started first for me this winter when we had some snow on the roads, I was doing about 40-45 miles an hour when the truck started to wobble horribly! The steering wheel pulled out of my hands it was so bad. I slowed and it stopped. Then I sped back up and the truck was fine, no wobble at all. I took it in to the dealer and they told me everything looked fine, and that it may have been a pothole that got the frame resonating. I drove it away, not happy with the answer but thought maybe it's possible that this was some freak pothole. Then about 3 weeks ago it did the same thing when my wife was driving and she ended up crossing over oncoming traffic and stopping on the other shoulder! I took it back to the dealer and they can't find anything wrong or even replicate the problem. They did say that there is a known 'tuning fork' issue with these frames that can cause a similar problem if you hit a rough patch of road. Has anybody had this??

NoProblem · May 16, 2016

They did say that there is a known 'tuning fork' issue with these frames that can cause a similar problem if you hit a rough patch of road. Has anybody had this??

No, never. Sounds like the dealer is weaseling something awful. If there is a known issue, then they need to fix it. Is wobbling off into oncoming traffic a known issue?

Z45 · May 16, 2016

Is it stock or do you have non-oem oversize tires and wheels? If so, look there.

newdude · May 16, 2016

Being a 2016, this most likely has the Digital Steering Assist. Need some more details on the truck (stock, modified, lifted, wheels, tires, etc.) as this is a new one.

Bowtieordie221 · May 16, 2016

No, it's all stock. Still even has the factory tires on it.

crankman · May 16, 2016

Okay did the dealer provide any paperwork when you went to show what work was done? Such as tire rebalancing, front end alignment verified? Or was this as verbal communication?. Got to start somewhere with a paper trail so you can check stuff off that's been done I would think. Also could you try another service dept if there not working hard enough to figure out the problem.

Edited May 16, 2016 by crankman

Bowtieordie221 · May 16, 2016

I've got an invoice from the dealer I went to the first time which includes tire rebalance and rotation, front suspension inspection, and steering system function inspection. No major parts were replaced according to the paperwork. After the second time, I took it to my local alignment shop that I've been using for years and they were stumped too. Told me I should sell it asap but I don't want blood on my hands for this.

newdude · May 16, 2016

Perhaps there is an issue with steering gear play?

#PIT5501A: Steering Feels Loose And/Or Excessive Lash with NV8 Digital Assist Steering

Some owners many comment the steering feels loose or has excessive play. This concern could be cause by an incorrect Pitman Shaft Over-Center Preload Adjustment.

Do NOT replace the steering gear for this concern.

This concern could be caused by excessive steering gear lash. To check for excessive lash, perform the following test:

Bowtieordie221 · May 16, 2016

Ok, today my friend at Keith's Alignment here in Town called me today with some scary news. He was talking to his brother who runs another Alignment shop in Oregon and his brother has had several of the 2014-2016 trucks come in with similar issues. He says that they are linked to failing ABS modules that will randomly apply the brakes independently of each other causing the truck to 'dance'. He says there have been two in his area that locked up all 4 on the freeway and caused accidents. The only way to fix it is to replace the ABS controller. The rub is that the dealer won't replace it unless they can replicate it!!! Im not paying for a new ABS control OOP!

Cosmic Charlie · May 17, 2016

Here's a little info about your system ...

But the best available feature for the 2016 Silverado/Sierra HDs is not what you see or hear — it's what you feel while through the steering wheel courtesy of Digital Steering Assist, a new technology from GM (not available on Work Truck trims or regular cab models).

DSA is a computer-controlled hydraulic variable-assist steering system that makes GM HD pickups feel just as nimble as their half-ton counterparts, which have programmable electric power steering.

We had the opportunity to talk with Mike Symons, global vehicle performance manager for GM trucks, about DSA during a recent ride-and-drive event featuring Chevrolet HD pickups and the new 2016 Colorado with the Duramax diesel engine.

PickupTrucks.com: How does this new Digital Steering Assist technology make the 2016 models drive differently than previous versions?

Symons: Compared to a normal hydraulic system [or recirculating ball] that's in our older HDs, the new models have Digital Steering Assist that adds a torque overlay to allow heavy-duty users to get some of the same advantages they would get on the light-duty pickups with electronic power steering. Essentially what we've given the HDs is an electronically controlled variable-assist hydraulic power steering setup that reduces the amount of work the driver exerts to steer and control the truck depending on speed and other inputs. As a result, the truck feels easier to control, especially with better stability at higher speeds or on surfaces such as crowned roads or areas with constant crosswinds.

PUTC: Why not put heavier-duty electronic power steering in the HDs like GM has in the half-ton and midsize pickups?

Symons: The EPS rack-and-pinion components aren't robust enough to handle the weights and steering loads heavy-duty pickups place on them. That's why we've stayed with hydraulic recirculating ball steering systems in the HD and added Digital Steering Assist. It's the best of both worlds.

PUTC: How does DSA make steering easier?

Symons: What we have done is overlay the standard [hydraulic] steering system with two additional computer-controlled valves within the steering pump that add or subtract torque [via fluid pressure] depending on the software parameters that have been established. What that essentially provides is speed-variable assist — offering a lighter turning effort at lower speeds and heavier, slower responses at higher speeds to enhance directional control and stability.

PUTC: How does the DSA know how to make those adjustments?

Symons: The system gets its data from multiple sensors in the truck, including wheel speeds and in the steering wheel, that sense if it's being pulled over time in one direction or another. That data shows how much effort the driver is putting on the steering wheel and how fast or slow the truck is moving. The algorithms within the Digital Steering Assist make continuous changes accordingly so the driver isn't constantly fighting with or needing to provide the same inputs into the steering wheel.

PUTC: What are examples of the differences owners of older HD models would feel when driving a 2016 Silverado HD equipped with DSA?

Symons: [something] someone familiar with driving an older HD would feel right away is how light the new truck's steering feels during low-speed trailering or parking lot maneuvers. They will also notice how quickly and easily the steering wheel returns to center after those hard lock-to-lock steering maneuvers. We call that active returnability assist. The idea is to give a nice, consistent steering feel similar to that of a light-duty pickup in a heavy-duty package.

PUTC: Is there a big difference at highway speeds?

Symons: Yes, that's another area we spent a lot of time with the DSA overlay. Drivers will notice the 2016 HD requires far less steering effort to compensate for driving in strong crosswinds or on long stretches of crowned road or highway. This system actually learns as you drive and adjusts the steering assist accordingly. For example, Digital Steering Assists' "pull compensation" programming recognizes when a hydraulic pressure offset is required while driving on a sloped road or in those prolonged crosswinds you find across the Midwest. The computer adds more hydraulic torque to the steering pump to help compensate so the driver doesn't have to put in as much steering input. The truck drives straighter, requires less input from the driver and, as a consequence, the driver is less fatigued when he gets to his destination.

PUTC: Does DSA make any changes to steering when the truck is in Tow/Haul mode?

Symons: Yes. That's the beauty of DSA and how the integrated computer technology really benefits those who tow trailers. When Tow/Haul is activated, we've optimized the system so the [steering] effort curve is changed accordingly. DSA adds a little more assist to the slow-speed steering maneuvers, so when backing up a bigger trailer you'd get lighter steering than you would in a non-Tow/Haul mode. Conversely, on the highway when in Tow/Haul mode, the truck will actually take away some assist, making steering effort a little higher, which helps improve trailer control and stability when pulling a big trailer.

PUTC: Does DSA help compensate for an improperly setup trailer with too little or too much tongue weight on the truck?

Symons: We don't have any type of sensing in the suspension, so there's no way to monitor front or rear axle loads, but that's a great idea. However, Digital Steering Assist's increased effort curve in Tow/Haul mode will help to some degree, but the system is not set up for those types of unsafe situations.

pix in link

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/10/what-you-need-to-know-about-gms-new-hd-steering-assist.html

newdude · May 17, 2016

Ok, today my friend at Keith's Alignment here in Town called me today with some scary news. He was talking to his brother who runs another Alignment shop in Oregon and his brother has had several of the 2014-2016 trucks come in with similar issues. He says that they are linked to failing ABS modules that will randomly apply the brakes independently of each other causing the truck to 'dance'. He says there have been two in his area that locked up all 4 on the freeway and caused accidents. The only way to fix it is to replace the ABS controller. The rub is that the dealer won't replace it unless they can replicate it!!! Im not paying for a new ABS control OOP!

The only way the dealer would be able to see if that was the case, would be installing the GM Data Recorder on your truck. You hit the button on the recorder when it happens, and it will record every bit of data during the event.

ABS module malfunction on these 2011+trucks? New to me. If you said 99-07? Heck yea real common for them to fail but its a corrosion issue on those.

Edited May 17, 2016 by 15HDriver

Bowtieordie221 · May 17, 2016

That may be a way to track it, I'll talk to the dealer about it today. The only worry is that when it happens I'm holding onto the wheel with everything I've got, not sure I can spare a hand to press a button. I'm so done with this damn thing, it's problem after problem since 500 miles.

Cleric · May 18, 2016

Set up a video camera in your car. When it happens again take it back to the dealer and show them.

If they don't do anything about it, contact media and/or an attorney

Bowtieordie221 · May 18, 2016

Good idea, thanks man! I'll bum my kids GoPro, it'll be perfect. I'm supposed to go in to get the monitor plugged in on Friday. Between the two something has to happen.

Bowtieordie221 · May 18, 2016

Having one hell of a morning with this thing!! Went out to start and let it warm up and right away the cel comes on. I let it run for about 5 minutes, it ain't cold out so tried to put it in gear and the damn thing won't move. Just revs. These automatics are CRAP!!! What happened to the stick shifts??? This is the 2nd time this has happened and the first required a rebuild. After all the problems with my 06 trans, I want a stick, I'm done!! Looks like I'll be going to the dodge dealer soon, atvleadt they offer a stick!