2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T TIRES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE WEAR (VIBRATION) ISSUES, DUE TO THE TIRES BEING A SOFTER TIRE, ACCORDING TO MANY CHEVROLET AND GMC SERVICE MANAGERS THAT I HAVE CALLED. I RECEIVED TWO TIRES, BALANCING/ROTATION FREE, BUT I HAD TO BUY TWO AS WELL. I FEEL SINCE GM DEALERSHIPS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEY SHOULD SEND OUT A RECALL. I HAVE HAD MY TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED MANY TIMES (ABOUT EVERY 3,000 MILES), BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES EVERY 5000 - 8000 MILES. EVEN-THOUGH THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY WOULDN'T PAY DUE TO MY VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES (35,600) ON IT, BUT WHAT THEY WON'T ADMIT IS THAT FACT THAT I'VE HAD TO PAY EXTRA MONEY FOR ADDITIONAL BALANCE AND ROTATIONS. IF THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL; EVEN-THOUGH THAT MAY COST THEM MONEY, BUT IT'S GM'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT WILL COST THEM CUSTOMERS IN THE FUTURE!! *NM

THE STEERING COLUMN U JOINT THAT CONNECTS TO THE STEERING BOX HAS LOOSENED CAUSING A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE U-JOINT HAS NOT FAILED AS OF THIS TIME, BUT A FAILURE OR BINDING COULD EASILY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND OFFER A "GREASE KIT" TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, GREASE WILL NOT TAKE THE PLAY OUT OF A LOOSE U-JOINT. THIS IS A COVER-UP REMEDY TO MAKE THE LOOSENESS LESS OBVIOUS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS OVER $300 FOR A REPLACEMENT PART ALONE AND CLAIMS IT IS A RESTRICTED PART SINCE IT IS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORBING SYSTEM IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THE LOOSENESS WAS FIRST NOTICEABLE WITH ONLY 13000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO WORSEN SINCE FIRST NOTICED. *JB