4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Suburban tires

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Expert: - 8/13/2005


Question
2004 Chevy Suburban (Bought used, no accidents reported)

Problem:  I have a wobbling sound when I drive my SUV.  It seems to be more of a noise problem than a vibration problem.  I assume the problem is with the tires because as you drive the frequency of the sound increases or decreases with respect to speed.  I have been told that the sound is a product of the weight to the SUV.

Or do I have tire problems?

Thanks and keep up the good work!
Roland LeonGuerrero

Answer
Roland,

Is it a wobbling "sound", or can you actually feel it?  It sounds like a tire problem.  This could be due to improper pressure in the tires, worn tires, an out of  round, or out of balance tire.  If you have large, aggressive tires, as opposed to street tires, you can get this sound, or feel, which is normal.

If the front end tends to float, or bounce more than normal, you may need new, or heavy duty shock absorbers.

The weight of the vehicle shouldn't be causing this problem unless you have a worn out suspension, or steering component.

I would, still suspect the tires.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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