During the last 10-15 years, vehicle design and engineering have dramatically changed due to the following factors:

Vehicle designs have evolved from full-frame construction to lighter unibody designs. These designs transfer noise and vibration much more readily.

General Motors has greatly reduced the use of heavier and smoother running V8 engines, replacing these engines with lighter, more fuel-efficient 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines. During this same time period, the following options have become increasingly popular:

Such options increase engine load and can also generate unwanted noise and vibration.

Customer perception of quality can be directly linked to the presence or absence of unwanted noise and vibration. The technician's ability to quickly diagnose and repair a noise or vibration concern directly affects that customer's loyalty to the dealership. The technician who is capable of satisfying this need will be highly regarded and in great demand.

The intentions of this section of the service manual are to provide systematic approaches to vehicle vibration diagnosis and correction. By using the Strategy Based Diagnosis and the troubleshooting philosophies covered in this section, the technician will be able to provide effective and timely repairs.