Issues With Front End Suspension - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ECO1369 · 11-27-2018, 02:02 AM

Hello all,
I own a 2015 ZL1 with 23000 mil. my question is as follows.
Has anyone experienced a noticeable vibration in the front end that travels up the steering column? When driving on rough pavement or bumpy roads I can feel the road through the steering column. vehicle has been brought in to dealership 3 times with same results (Unable to duplicate). Am I crazy or has anyone experienced this issue.

sixty9fordkiller · 11-27-2018, 11:32 AM

take it to a dealer or tire shop that has a road force balance machine. issue can be as insignificant as flat spots on the tires and/or poor balancing. see it happen a lot of times

silversleeper · 11-27-2018, 11:45 AM

It seems like you are more describing "jolts" when hitting bumps than vibrations at speed?
They would be looking at different parts for those distinctly different symptoms.
Jolts might be some rubber bushings bad, bad shocks, or tires too firm for your tastes. You know the ZL1 has a firm suspension as a sports car(?)
I wonder if you air down the front tires to 28psi for some test drives how that affects the jolts.
It could be vibrations from out of round or out of balance tires which get worse after hitting bumps but I'm not sure which you are experiencing. Jolts from bumps or shaking vibrations.

RobZL1 · 11-27-2018, 11:52 AM

What tires do you have fitted and how many miles are on them?

ZMEnow · 11-27-2018, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECO1369

Hello all,
I own a 2015 ZL1 with 23000 mil. my question is as follows.
Has anyone experienced a noticeable vibration in the front end that travels up the steering column? When driving on rough pavement or bumpy roads I can feel the road through the steering column. vehicle has been brought in to dealership 3 times with same results (Unable to duplicate). Am I crazy or has anyone experienced this issue.

If its only on bad pavement that you feel it, its suspension related, something worn/loose. If its on all surfaces and the wheel shimmy increases with speed, its wheel/tires/rotor/caliper/Hub related.

ECO1369 · 11-28-2018, 04:00 AM

Thank you for the info. The vehicle has BF Good rich all season comp. tires are less than a year old and have been balanced twice on a road force. I leaning more towards the suspension. New highway pavement with no issues. There is no issues with balance or alignment. its more of jolts than shimming. brake rotors are fine and not warped. there is no pulsating when breaking. Its been at the dealership 3x for the same issue. They road test the vehicle in their parking lot. I'm at a loss.

GONMAD510 · 11-28-2018, 12:28 PM

I have my car lowered 1.25". It was fine at first but I think the car settled more or my front shocks failed. Now I am getting a firm jolt when I hit bumps in the front. I think it may be hitting the bump stops.

ZMEnow · 11-28-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECO1369

Thank you for the info. The vehicle has BF Good rich all season comp. tires are less than a year old and have been balanced twice on a road force. I leaning more towards the suspension. New highway pavement with no issues. There is no issues with balance or alignment. its more of jolts than shimming. brake rotors are fine and not warped. there is no pulsating when breaking. Its been at the dealership 3x for the same issue. They road test the vehicle in their parking lot. I'm at a loss.

I would agree suspension is where you want to focus. Unless you have a lift at home where to can pry on each component with a prybar, you may want to invest in a mic/sound kit and start placing units in the suspension until you find the thump/bang.

ECO1369 · 12-06-2018, 05:58 AM

So here is the skinny regarding my 2015 ZL1. Vehicle has been in a much repeatable dealer her in the Pacific North West. So dealer stated battery needs to be replaced. Low voltage test determined that this is the issue with front end due to the electric steering assist? Second, First dealership (No names at this time) installed diff, axels, drive shaft incorrectly. Don't ask me how I don't know. GM Executive Office Flew a Field Tech out to evaluate concerns and damage. Should I be concerned about damage to trans? More to follow.

ZMEnow · 12-06-2018, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECO1369

So here is the skinny regarding my 2015 ZL1. Vehicle has been in a much repeatable dealer her in the Pacific North West. So dealer stated battery needs to be replaced. Low voltage test determined that this is the issue with front end due to the electric steering assist? Second, First dealership (No names at this time) installed diff, axels, drive shaft incorrectly. Don't ask me how I don't know. GM Executive Office Flew a Field Tech out to evaluate concerns and damage. Should I be concerned about damage to trans? More to follow.

Driveshaft is two piece and only goes in one way. You do need to mark the allignment between the two shafts and both the yoke on the trans and diff so you get back to the same balance.

While most dealers will screw up the diff set up/backlash and crushsleeve bearing depth, but the diff only goes in one way. Also the axles only go one way although the internal joint at the boot can disconnect when installing but you would know that right away after driving.

Not sure I understand how a low battery is going to make the steering rack shake your wheel at certain road conditions with a working alternator at 14.xx volts.

Screwblower · 12-08-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECO1369

So here is the skinny regarding my 2015 ZL1. Vehicle has been in a much repeatable dealer her in the Pacific North West. So dealer stated battery needs to be replaced. Low voltage test determined that this is the issue with front end due to the electric steering assist? Second, First dealership (No names at this time) installed diff, axels, drive shaft incorrectly. Don't ask me how I don't know. GM Executive Office Flew a Field Tech out to evaluate concerns and damage. Should I be concerned about damage to trans? More to follow.

Thanks for the tip on battery’s voltage.

@ReaperZL1 · 01-18-2019, 08:33 AM

check your upper bushing on your front shocks. its as simple as pull the wheel off, unbolt, unplug, compress the spring and un bolt the top. there should be no movement or loose wobble in it. if there is, it has gone bad. i had similar symptoms with mine, its a 30 dollar part from that gm parts guy website. simply reverse order going back in then get an alignment done to be safe.

tstodii · 01-18-2019, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECO1369

re is no issues with balance or alignment. its more of jolts than shimming. brake rotors are fine and not warped. there is no pulsating when breaking. Its been at the dealership 3x for the same issue. They road test the vehicle in their parking lot. I'm at a loss.

Found your issues. They are not actually road testing it if it's only in the parking lot... Have them go out on a test with YOU in the car and direct them towards where you experience the issue.

It might take a little effort for them to agree to a ride-a-long but would be well worth it if they figure out the issue.

Also, you could jack up the front end and start checking for loose or worn parts.

11-27-2018, 02:02 AM	#1
ECO1369 Drives: Camaro 1LT V6 & 2015 ZL1 Fun Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 28	Issues With Front End Suspension Hello all, I own a 2015 ZL1 with 23000 mil. my question is as follows. Has anyone experienced a noticeable vibration in the front end that travels up the steering column? When driving on rough pavement or bumpy roads I can feel the road through the steering column. vehicle has been brought in to dealership 3 times with same results (Unable to duplicate). Am I crazy or has anyone experienced this issue.

11-27-2018, 11:32 AM	#2
sixty9fordkiller Donkey Dick Cam Camaro Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 M6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,998	take it to a dealer or tire shop that has a road force balance machine. issue can be as insignificant as flat spots on the tires and/or poor balancing. see it happen a lot of times __________________ Bone Stock

11-27-2018, 11:52 AM	#4
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,281	What tires do you have fitted and how many miles are on them? __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp Past Rides- 2014 ZL1 M6 Red Hot \| Tons of mods 2004 CTS-V M6 Silver \| Many mods 1995 Corvette M6 Torch Red \| A few more mods 1992 Camaro M5 White \| A few mods

11-28-2018, 12:28 PM	#7
GONMAD510 Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: CA Bay Area Posts: 248	I have my car lowered 1.25". It was fine at first but I think the car settled more or my front shocks failed. Now I am getting a firm jolt when I hit bumps in the front. I think it may be hitting the bump stops. __________________ Fast 850cc Injectors, ATI Balancer, 8.66 Lower Pulley, 2.55 Upper Pulley, Lingenfelter CAI, Kooks LT with cat delete pipes, Noweeds Exhaust Cutouts (extremely loud under full throttle), BTR Stage 3 Cam, BTR Platinum 660 Valve Spring Kit, TR7ix Iridium Spark Plugs, Lingenfelter Solid Isolator, 160 Degree Thermostat, Larger SC Coolant Reservoir with Hose Relocation Kit, BMR 1.25" Lowering Springs, MGW Short Throw Shifter, Racing Brake 2 piece rotors front and rear, Starkweather Performance Custom Dyno Tune on 91 Octane. 691.38 RWHP 630.35 RWTQ

11-27-2018, 11:45 AM	#3
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,485	It seems like you are more describing "jolts" when hitting bumps than vibrations at speed? They would be looking at different parts for those distinctly different symptoms. Jolts might be some rubber bushings bad, bad shocks, or tires too firm for your tastes. You know the ZL1 has a firm suspension as a sports car(?) I wonder if you air down the front tires to 28psi for some test drives how that affects the jolts. It could be vibrations from out of round or out of balance tires which get worse after hitting bumps but I'm not sure which you are experiencing. Jolts from bumps or shaking vibrations.

11-28-2018, 04:00 AM	#6
ECO1369 Drives: Camaro 1LT V6 & 2015 ZL1 Fun Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 28	Thank you for the info. The vehicle has BF Good rich all season comp. tires are less than a year old and have been balanced twice on a road force. I leaning more towards the suspension. New highway pavement with no issues. There is no issues with balance or alignment. its more of jolts than shimming. brake rotors are fine and not warped. there is no pulsating when breaking. Its been at the dealership 3x for the same issue. They road test the vehicle in their parking lot. I'm at a loss.

12-06-2018, 05:58 AM	#9
ECO1369 Drives: Camaro 1LT V6 & 2015 ZL1 Fun Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 28	So here is the skinny regarding my 2015 ZL1. Vehicle has been in a much repeatable dealer her in the Pacific North West. So dealer stated battery needs to be replaced. Low voltage test determined that this is the issue with front end due to the electric steering assist? Second, First dealership (No names at this time) installed diff, axels, drive shaft incorrectly. Don't ask me how I don't know. GM Executive Office Flew a Field Tech out to evaluate concerns and damage. Should I be concerned about damage to trans? More to follow.

01-18-2019, 08:33 AM	#12
@ReaperZL1 Drives: 2013 camaro zl1 aka the Reaper Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: North carolina Posts: 237 View My Garage	check your upper bushing on your front shocks. its as simple as pull the wheel off, unbolt, unplug, compress the spring and un bolt the top. there should be no movement or loose wobble in it. if there is, it has gone bad. i had similar symptoms with mine, its a 30 dollar part from that gm parts guy website. simply reverse order going back in then get an alignment done to be safe.