GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: Vibration Symptoms that are Felt
Table 2: Vibration Symptoms that are Heard

    Important: Perform the following steps in sequence BEFORE using these symptom tables.

  1. Begin the diagnosis of vibration concern by reviewing Diagnostic Starting Point - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction to be familiar with the correct diagnostic procedures.
  2. Perform the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing before using these symptom tables to duplicate and effectively diagnose the customer's concern.

Symptom Tables

Refer to a Vibration Analysis table as indicated in the following symptom tables, based on the most dominant characteristics of the customer's vibration concern, felt or heard, under the appropriate occurrence condition.

Vibration Symptoms that are Felt

Type

Description

Typical Frequency Range

Condition of Occurrence

Area of Focus

Shake

Can sometimes be seen or felt in the steering wheel, seat or console.

Relative Terms: shimmy, wobble, waddle, shudder, hop

5-20 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Still occurs during coast down in NEUTRAL

Go to Vibration Analysis - Tire and Wheel

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Engine Speed Sensitive

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

Roughness

Similar to the feeling of holding a jigsaw

20-50 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Still occurs during coast down in NEUTRAL

Go to Vibration Analysis - Tire and Wheel

Engine Speed Sensitive

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Buzz

Similar to the feeling of holding an electric razor

May be felt through handing the steering wheel, stepping on the vehicle floor, or sitting on the seat.

50-100 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Engine Speed Sensitive

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

Tingling

May produce a "pins and needles" sensation or may put hands or feet "to sleep"

Highest vibration frequency range can still be felt.

Greater than 100 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Engine Speed Sensitive

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine


Vibration Symptoms that are Heard

Type

Description

Typical Frequency Range

Condition of Occurrence

Area of Focus

Boom

The interior noise usually heard similar to the noise of a bowling ball rolling down an alley, deep thunder, or a bass drum

    • Relative Terms - droning, growling, moaning, roaring, rumbling, humming
    • May not be accompanied by a perceptible vibration (roughness)

20-60 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Still occurs during coast down in NEUTRAL

Go to Vibration Analysis - Tire and Wheel

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Moan or Droan

Similar to the sound of a bumblebee or blowing air across the top of a bottle

    • Relative Terms - humming, buzzing, resonance
    • May be accompanied by a perceptible vibration (buzz)

60-120 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Engine Speed Sensitive

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

Howl

Similar to the sound of the wind howling

120-300 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load/or steering input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Engine Speed Sensitive

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

Whine

Similar to the sound of mosquitoes, turbine engines, or vacuum cleaners

300-500 Hz

Vehicle Speed Sensitive

Affected by torque/load

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Automatic Transmission