Any Chevy Mechanics On Board?........

SlipKnot · 01-24-2006, 06:35 PM

I want to PM someone with an issue that I just had with my truck and get a reality check before I go nuts at the dealer and Chevrolet.

Let me know, thanks.

SN

shelikeschrome · 01-24-2006, 06:40 PM

I am the original owner of a 92 but not a mechanic. What's up?

Bonita · 01-24-2006, 09:20 PM

Not a Chevy mechanic, specifically. But ASE certified parts specialist, and 10+ years in parts and service.

lor · 01-24-2006, 09:21 PM

Hopefully you don't have a blazer, tahoe, or suburban which has reached 100K miles and needs the freeplugs replaced.

drillman · 01-24-2006, 09:42 PM

disconect the battery for 10 min and that will reset the computer thingey

wootersen · 01-24-2006, 10:32 PM

I once rebuilt a toaster, how can I help ? :grin:

YaHoeeFishOn · 01-25-2006, 08:25 AM

I'll hear it .

Well I don't like push button 4wd , manual transfer cases and manual hubs are good thing. I can image couple times I had to rock my truck and straight'n weels to get outa low range with a actuator trying to push lever instead me.

Slop in a steering shaft ? Tight'n a few stearing boxes and replaced couple racks but not seen problems in collum shaft.

Sorry I can't offer any help here.

1pump · 01-25-2006, 08:29 AM

Don't forget the blinker fluid and a spark plug flush.

SlipKnot · 01-25-2006, 12:13 PM

I wrote all this out last night but somehow lost my post so I went for the short version.

The long and short of it is that I have an 03 Chev Silverado 2500 4 X 4 that has had a laundry list of issues since I bought it brand new. Mostly "software" problems but other things as well.

The latest issue is regarding the actuator motor for my 4 wheel drive system. It went bad and I replaced it 14 months ago. My 4 wheel drive indicator light came on again the other day and it wouldn't shift into 4 wheel drive. Then the next day it worked, and then it didn't, etc.

In addition, I've been having a clunk in the my steering for a couple of months that was getting worse. About a year and half ago I had a problem with my steering as well and the dealer installed some sort of lube kit on the intermidiate shaft to fix it. They did this repair under warranty.

I thought I better take it in and get both issues taken care of. The service dude told me that it probably wasn't the actuator motor again because when they go bad, they go totally bad. Probably just a software upgrade. Later that day, another service guy called and told me the actuator motot was bad- $809.00

He also told me that the imtermidiate shaft that they had installed this lube kit on was bad and needed to be replaced. I asked why they didn't replace the intermidiate shaft when they did the work under warranty and got a blank stare. $200.00 please.

Maybe it's just the culmination of all the problems that I have that I find irritating.

jimh · 01-25-2006, 12:32 PM

That's scary how much your truck sounds like mine. '04 Chev 2500 4x4. I suppose I need to go ahead with my tentative plan to trade. I have the steering symptom now and had the won't shift into 4 wheel drive 2-3 weeks ago. Same thing for the shifting, next day it worked fine.

Mine's under warranty, but I suppose it is better to get rid of while it still is.

SlipKnot · 01-25-2006, 12:55 PM

Hate to say it, but unless you want to spend at least $1000 - $2000 per year on repairs after the warranty runs out, I would trade now.

And before you Ford boys jump in on this, I've got plenty of friends that have gone through multiple transmissions.

Funny though, my buddies driving late model Dodges haven't had many issues.

Jeremy · 01-25-2006, 01:12 PM

i had the sam steering problem in my '02 it was replaced under warranty but thought i remember something about a recall, the actuator went out in my 1990 and i replaced it with a manual one, the 1990's had some kind of a "wax" actuator that when the wax heated up put the truck in four wheel drive, seemed like a major problem sounds like they still dont have it fixed.

SlipKnot · 01-25-2006, 01:22 PM

Ok, dumb question but how did you replace your actuator with a manual one?

I kind of miss the old shift handle on the floor. You pretty much knew that was going to work.

Jeremy · 01-25-2006, 02:05 PM

i found a kit that put a manual lever under the dash, so you pulled the 4 on the fly lever in the truck and then you pulled the manual lever to activate it worked like a charm. Carr chevy had them for a while i guess one of the guys there was making them but then sold the idea to some other company i will look online to see if i can find any info here it is search for "4x4 acutator" or "4x4 posi-lock" online if the link doesnt work or look for them on ebay kind of spendy but well worth knowing that its gonna work when you need it:
http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/app_chevy-k.html

Bonita · 02-01-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Hate to say it, but unless you want to spend at least $1000 - $2000 per year on repairs after the warranty runs out, I would trade now.

And before you Ford boys jump in on this, I've got plenty of friends that have gone through multiple transmissions.

Funny though, my buddies driving late model Dodges haven't had many issues.

Well, most of my time in automotive was with Dodge - they're not perfect either, but seems like they hadle warranty stuff with less pain to the customer. And, of the late model rigs, I'd recommend them first. Definately get what you can out of the Chevy on a trade-in.

Fish Slayer · 02-02-2006, 02:53 PM

You guys should all save yourself some grief and just buy a Ford!

Im sorry I just couldnt resist. Theyre all great rigs and all have their ups and downs and Slipknot, Im sorry your having these problems with your truck. I hope you get it fixed and if ya dont, I hope you buy a Ford! :grin:

SlipKnot · 02-02-2006, 06:03 PM

I knew it was only a matter of time before one of you Ford boys piped up. Frankly, surprised it took this long.

Don't worry, my intermiated shaft and actuator motor won't prevent me from pulling over and towing your Ford home when the transmission goes.

Really, just let me know.

SN

jimh · 02-03-2006, 09:50 PM

I looked at the new trucks and through research found out Ford and Chevy both have new models coming out in the Fall. So, I broke down and scheduled the warranty work for my '04 Chevy 2500 4x4. The result was a $32.87 bill including my oil change. Yes, the decimal point is in the right place. :smile:

They fixed two technical advisories. 1)A leaking windshield seal which causes a leak into the 4 wheel drive control unit. This resulted in a seal replacement and control unit replacement. 2)Relubricated my steering shaft which was the source of the noise in my steering.

The recall was a change to the middle seat belt in the back seat.

All in all, I'm pretty happy. I'd be happier if the technical advisories were recalls. Otherwise, I may have avoided getting them fixed.

I thought my leak was the intake overspilling since it only did it when it rained really hard.