Droning Noise From Front End

[APDMC6008]

In the last several weeks I've been notice that my truck has been making what sounds like a tire/road sort of noise. I looked at the tires, and thought that yeah, they could need replacing, so I replaced them. However the noise is still there, if not worse. Friends who've ridden with me state they do not recall the truck doing that before.

This noise is most evident when slowing down (not using brakes - coasting), basically sounds like a droning noise coming from the front suspension area. In order to isolate it from being the transmission, I put the truck in neutral and let it coast, the noise was still evident. So all I know is that it's not the brakes, and not the suspension. You can also hear it on acceleration, but due to the wind/engine noise it's not as apparent as when slowing down.

Does anyone have any ideas? Wheel bearings maybe?

[Menthol]

Maybe the exhaust is touching somewhere :confused:

[iDontKnow]

Wheel bearings maybe?
That's my guess. And if that's the case, might wanna get it fixed before it unevenly wears out your nice new tires.

[Excell]

Does the sound increase/decrease with speed or is it constant?

Does it go away if you turn the wheels one direction or the other?

[APDMC6008]

Maybe the exhaust is touching somewhere :confused:

It's coming from the front end, suspension area. I don't believe that any of the exhaust components touch the suspension. :confused:

Does the sound increase/decrease with speed or is it constant?

Does it go away if you turn the wheels one direction or the other?

It's constant, however it does slow down/speed up in relation to the speed. It's more easily heard while coasting as the engine noise and wind noise decrease.

It's also constant regardless of the wheel direction.

The best way to describe the noise would be bad tires, like how an off-road tire would make that droning road noise...but they're brand new, and it didn't even make this noise with the older tires until a couple weeks ago, which is why I thought the tire replacement would remedy the problem.

[Excell]

I'm inclined to think you have a wheel bearing going out. :(

[MTPockets]

I agree with Excell. Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. You typically get the sounds you describe when a front hub assembly goes bad. Lift the front end off the ground and give the front wheels a spin. You'll probably be able to wiggle the tire a little from side/side, top/bottom on the side with the bad bearings. Probably be a couple hundred $ fix at a good independant shop. Way more at a dealer.

G/luck
Joel

[APDMC6008]

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. 73000 miles, figure something's gonna give eventually (I drive rather, um...agressively). Stupid wheel bearings! lol. I read in another vehicle forum somewhere that they may be covered under the 5yr/75000 mi warranty, so we'll see if I can con GM into that (HA! not likely). I saw that the bearings seem to be integral into the whole front hub, which goes for like ~$400.00. :eek: I'm going to look into it tomorrow, going to give a friend a ride to a Chevy dealer in the AM so his A/C can get worked on, and I'll ask the question then.

[Excell]

Yes, you will have to replace the entire hub to fix the bearing. The wheel bearing is non-serviceable.

[APDMC6008]

Those fargon bastages. :mad: I'll have to hunt around for some cheap ones or go through the wrecker list at work and see if they got one in their yard I can take the hubs off of.

[Excell]

I'll have to hunt around for some cheap ones or go through the wrecker list at work and see if they got one in their yard I can take the hubs off of.

Unless they are going to offer a good warranty (one year at minimum, IMO) and you like to do service work, I would steer clear of junkyard hubs. The hubs/bearings are VERY sensitive to impacts (side impacts, especially) and you just have no way of knowing what put the vehicle out of commission. If it's worth it to you to try and save some cash and maybe have to do the job twice (or three times, from personal experience on other vehicles :x ) I would pay the extra bucks for a quality replacement.

When I say quality replacement, I mean a genuine AC-Delco, Timken, or similar USA manufactured assembly. Steer clear of the cheap Chinese junk that costs $20 less - you'll wind up having to do the job twice.

[iDontKnow]

Try www.rockauto.com. They tend to carry a lot of AC Delco parts, and have some of the best prices I've seen.

[jay boy]

ARE 2wd and 4wd frt hubs and wheel berings the same? Thanks in advance. Jay

[APDMC6008]

Try www.rockauto.com. They tend to carry a lot of AC Delco parts, and have some of the best prices I've seen.

Yeah, I saw that they carry P/N FW121 for like $140.00...which is way less than the dealer part, which they can get me for about $300. I've seen the part on GMPartsDirect.com and it runs in the upper $300 range if I remember correctly as well. The large price disparity leads me to wonder if the Rockauto part is not a cheap import....but if it says AC Delco...?

ARE 2wd and 4wd frt hubs and wheel berings the same? Thanks in advance.

From what I've been reading, there is a chance they could be different...but not completely sure. Think there are different P/Ns for 4WD and 2WD.

[blktbon20s]

not sure if its ur case, but my tierods were badand were makin wierd noises. Had it replaced under warranty and the noise stopped

[APDMC6008]

What kind of noises? This noise sounds almost like I installed off-road tires on the truck...makes that droning noise constantly. I'm going to try to make some time to do the cursory bearing check by jacking up the truck and seeing if there's play in the bearings.

[blktbon20s]

What kind of noises? This noise sounds almost like I installed off-road tires on the truck...makes that droning noise constantly. I'm going to try to make some time to do the cursory bearing check by jacking up the truck and seeing if there's play in the bearings.
same type of sound i had.
To check for the tierods lift the whole front of the TB and move the tire from side to side if there alot of play then it urs tierods. The bearing i'm not sure how to check them.

[APDMC6008]

That's the same way to do a quick check on the bearings too...lol

[APDMC6008]

It's not allowing me to edit my previous post from 0600 today, it's 1220 right now...so...here's some additional information: :crazy:

The left wheel is the one with the noise, it seems. One of the roads I take while driving to work has an S-turn, and I noticed the noise basically lessens on the left turn, when more of the weight is off the right wheel, and increases as I unload from the turn back into straight ahead, and when the left (drivers) wheel has the weight loading the noise is back, with a vengence and then decreases slightly as I straighten out, but it's still present. :mad:

So at this point, I know that the problem is primarily the left wheel. But now it's either the bearings, or the tie-rods. Doing some research I've read that the tie-rods can generate similar noise. Any idea on how to isolate it from one or the other? :confused:

Edit: Anyone? Beuller? lol. If anyone has any more information I'd be much obliged...I don't want my wheel to fall off! haha

[Spong]

I don't know if it's the same on the TrailVoy but I replaced the front hubs on my 2000 Jimmy. Not cheap for the parts but you can do it yourself. I did mine in about 5 hours and I'd never done them before. Just take your time and it's not bad. I used Delco bearings which were more $$$ but I've read many posts on other forums about the cheaper bearings (AutoZone, Advanced etc) failing again in a short time period.

[Boilermaker-744]

Any updates as to the problems of the noises?

[APDMC6008]

None as of yet, I didn't have time on my lunch break to check to see if it was the tie rod ends or not. I was hoping to find out, and I'd have picked up the parts on the way home. I want to get it fixed before a.)wheel falls off (*bad), or b.)my new tires get ruined due to this.

In retrospect, in hard-almost-to-the-stop turns into my driveway with a bump at the end, I'd hear a thunk. And I also have noticed a slight vibration in the steering wheel. Of course, I could be imagining things...or everything is just manifesting at once. :crazy:

But I'll check when I get home, and fill you all in. If it ends up being either the tie rod ends or the hub, I'll take some pics and try to do an article on them.

[blktbon20s]

None as of yet, I didn't have time on my lunch break to check to see if it was the tie rod ends or not. I was hoping to find out, and I'd have picked up the parts on the way home. I want to get it fixed before a.)wheel falls off (*bad), or b.)my new tires get ruined due to this.

In retrospect, in hard-almost-to-the-stop turns into my driveway with a bump at the end, I'd hear a thunk. And I also have noticed a slight vibration in the steering wheel. Of course, I could be imagining things...or everything is just manifesting at once. :crazy:

But I'll check when I get home, and fill you all in. If it ends up being either the tie rod ends or the hub, I'll take some pics and try to do an article on them.
DUDE! thats ur tierods! please don't drive like that! ur whell could fall of and .... bad things could happen to both u and r TB.Please just go to a mechanic and have them check it out for u, if u don't have time.

[APDMC6008]

Yeah, it sounds like the tie rods to me. I jacked up the driver's side and put my hands on the tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock position, and I could move the tire a decent amount, could see the tie rods moving the boot and all. When I put my hands at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and attempted to move the tire, they didn't budge, which leads me to believe it's not likely to be the bearings. I'll order a set tonight to install tomorrow.

[blktbon20s]

Yeah, it sounds like the tie rods to me. I jacked up the driver's side and put my hands on the tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock position, and I could move the tire a decent amount, could see the tie rods moving the boot and all. When I put my hands at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and attempted to move the tire, they didn't budge, which leads me to believe it's not likely to be the bearings. I'll order a set tonight to install tomorrow.
i'm glad ur fixing it tommorrow!

[Spong]

Bad tie rods sound different than bad bearings. If the sound changes with speed then it's the bearings for sure.

[APDMC6008]

It doesn't so much change with speed as it is just more easily heard at lower speeds (less wind noise, engine noise, etc). Around 50MPH with the foot off the throttle it's most noticeable, especially in turning to the right. Also, the wheel didn't budge at all when I jacked it up and tried to move it with my hands at 12 and 6. If further investigation finds it's the bearings and not the tie rods then I'll return the tie rods... ;) I'll keep y'all posted.

[APDMC6008]

Wheel hub. Not the tie rod ends. I'm sending the tie rod ends back, since a friend and I determined there was no need to replace them, as the linkage was tight. For anyone who needs to replace the wheel hub...it's easy, took me maybe 45 minutes. Thanks to all who helped.

FWIW - I got the AC Delco replacement. It was about 190 bucks cheaper.

[Excell]

Good to hear it's fixed!:)

How much did the hub assembly run you?

[APDMC6008]

How much did the hub assembly run you?

Dealer quoted $330 on the phone. A local parts dealer quotes $456, I mentioned 'Holy crap, usually you guys are cheaper than the dealer...' and he was like, oh..there's an AC Delco part for $254.00. I opted for the AC Delco. I only did the one bearing that was failing. I'll replace the other one when/if it goes.

Upon closer examination of the hub, you can see where dirt and dust congealed on the backside of it. I'm guessing maybe there was some grease blowby that allowed the grime to collect. (shrugs). It's all good now, so... :D

[Spong]

I'm not surprised at all it was the hub from the description you gave of the sound it was making. Glad you got it fixed!:yes: The S-series are known for having these hubs go bad and I was hoping GM didn't make the same mistake with the 360 platform but so much for that. :mad: :no:

[Crankster]

Gentlemen, doing the same repair to my 04 tb stock as we speak...did you need a puller to get the hub assembly off the drive shaft?

[The Black Pearl]

I have this problem and I also have the GMPP warranty. Not sure if it covers this problem. I am getting a little tired of this TB and being in the shop three to four times a year.....

[aharper]

I have this same problem and will buy the parts from RockAuto. Does anyone have the exact part number and/or a DYI write-up on how to do this? TIA.

[The Black Pearl]

It was the front hub..Warranty covers the cost except for $100.00. The items I had replaced/fixed under the warranty now exceeds the purchase price of the warranty. I am seriously thinking about selling this TB before the warranty expires in two years.

[SilverUnicorn]

It was the front hub..Warranty covers the cost except for $100.00. The items I had replaced/fixed under the warranty now exceeds the purchase price of the warranty. I am seriously thinking about selling this TB before the warranty expires in two years.

Well then the warranty paid for itself :yes:

At least you had the warranty to help you out.

I had a wheel hub go bad in my Grand Am - not fun :(.

Chris

[The Black Pearl]

Total cost $709.00 without warranty by the dealer. Parts $517.00 labour $100.00 and lovely taxes $92.00.

[shakin]

Wheel hub. Not the tie rod ends. I'm sending the tie rod ends back, since a friend and I determined there was no need to replace them, as the linkage was tight. For anyone who needs to replace the wheel hub...it's easy, took me maybe 45 minutes. Thanks to all who helped.

FWIW - I got the AC Delco replacement. It was about 190 bucks cheaper.

Did a search, found this thread. You explained EXACTLY what my 04 is doing only on the right side. Thanks for posting this up, you saved me a lot of time and possibly money by not having to replace a bunch of stuff until I found the problem.