1998 Chevrolet Suburban LS 1500 from North America - Comments

I currently own a 95 Suburban and it has a whole lot of miles on it, 180,000, and it still has the same original transmision on it. My 18 year old boy has grown up with this SUV and he still drives it and has a huge led foot. I don't know what you are all doing to your trannys, but I would advise you to try to keep it easy. If my boy could drive this tank at the ages of 16-18 than your transmission should be able to take some abuse.

I have a 97 Tahoe 1500 4x4 LT. It has 193000 miles on it. Since it turned 190000 I had quite a few problems with the fuel pump and the brakes. This is the 3rd Suburban/Tahoe I've owned and my 1st was a 93 that I sold with 175000 (except normal wear and tear) trouble free miles. If you do regular maintenance (trasmission fluid changes at least every 50000 miles) and don't constantly pull heavy trailers, you will get good life out of your transmission. I've had both Toyota and Nissan SUV's and they are very under powered. They don't break as often for this reason, but when they do, get your wallet$$! I love these Chevy trucks and will continue to buy them. For there size and power I think they get phenomenal gas mileage.

I had posted a few years back when my 98 Suburban had 93000 miles on it.

At 135,164 I had to replace the engine, due to a blown head gasket. I put a rebuilt engine in there. The engine came with a 3 year UNLIMITED mileage warranty. Right now the odometer reads 140,655 and she performs like the day she rolled off the show room floor.

The transmission is great, I had added a transmission cooler because I put a trailer with it. I put on Light Truck tires and the handling improved.

I just took the truck down to Key West and that trip alone was 4500 miles. This truck is going to be around for a long time. I don't see any reason for me to buy a new one when this is just fine. Take care of your equipment and your equipment will take care of you.

I would recommend to ANYONE to buy any Chevrolet truck, Ford and Dodge don't even stand a chance!

budwisr6@aol.com

I bought a used 98 Suburban with 90500 miles on it. The fuel pump gave out 2 hours later. Than came the manifold leak. Now at 100000 miles the steering gear box and transmission need replacing. Hmmm lets not forget when the lights came on and drained out the new week old battery! New door switch was needed. Oh yes the wipers only worked when they felt like it. But I fixed that. I wrapped electrical tape tight around that little motor and they have worked ever since! Wish I could do that with the tranny: (

It really bugs me how so many people these days treat their vehicles like a sealed box. They expect it to run perfect and forever without ever lifting the hood.

Want your vehicle to last? Then follow the simple rules you should have learned in high school auto-shop.

1. Read the manual!! Understand not only what you are supposed to do, but what you aren't supposed to do with and to your vehicle. Obey your tow rating. Don't tow in Overdrive (if manual says not to), etc.

2. Learn your service intervals on the entire vehicle. Ask your dealer's service manager, NOT the salesman. Make a calendar and get the maintenance done on time.

3. Change fluids and replace ALL wear items. This means such things as oil, lube, air and oil filters, tranny fluid and filters, differential and transfer case lube, spark plugs, wires, fuel filters, brake pads, rotors, ball joints, etc.

4. Keep your vehicle clean. Wash it at least once a week, even (especially) in winter (use a drive thru wash with air dryer).

5. Don't skimp. why save $2.00 on oil and filter to risk a $50,000+ vehicle. That's nuts. I recommend synthetic lubricants and quality filters and parts like wix or Purolator filters.

I don't claim this is everything, and there are lemons of any vehicle, but it's the most basic stuff you MUST do.

It's like overeating, smoking, and not exercising and being mad when you have a heart attack.

All I can say to back this up is that 2 of my vehicles have a combined mileage of over half a million miles. 335,000 for one and 204,800 on the other. Neither uses oil between oil changes.

Tachyon.

I had a '98 suburban. Some of the comments are on the money, but I wouldn't say this was a bad truck. I loved mine, and if you can turn a wrench, the three most common probs are easily fixed.

1. Manifold gasket: You will need to replace this between 90-110K miles. The reason for this is the angle the manifold bolts go into the block. My understanding is replacing with a better gasket will pretty much fix this problem. I did my own manifold gasket about 40K miles before I traded the truck in (at 145K for a newer Tahoe). I had zero problems with the gasket after I replaced it.

2. Fuel pump. Yeah, they only last around 80-100K. This does detract from the truck, but not enough for me to not have one. They usually give PLENTY of warning before going out, too, so if you ignore the high pitch whine, don't whine when you get stuck 10K miles later.

3. Windshield wiper circuit board. This is an easy and cheap fix. The boards that control the wipers have a problem with the painted circuits cracking. Replacing the board is (IIRC) three screws and 20 bucks.

I loved my Burb I love my Tahoe and I'm looking to replace my Car with another one of either of these trucks.

I did't have the tranny problem. I guess the previous owners didn't do any nuetral drops.

I Have a 2001 Chevy Suburban 4x2 LT. periodic maintenance is a must on this vehicle. If you have the dreaded 4l6oe tranny, then save your self a lot of time and money and replace the transmissin fluid every 50,000 miles. (I wish I would have). My truck is now pushing 150,000 miles on the original tranny and engine. and I hate to say it, but we've never changed the fluid in the transmission. I noticed this morning that when I went to accelerate that it was slipping, and during cold mornings, it is not wanting to shift. I made an appointment for tomorrow to have the tranny serviced and the fluid changed, and the screen cleared.

If you have any questions or comments, send it to tseibel@homexpressway.com.

My fuel pump on my 97 GMC K1500 gives a loud "hiss" noise, not sure why, but it has always done that.