2013 Tahoe with thumping sound in right front

[Royalwapiti]

I was on a short trip to the other side of my state 400 miles away and noticed a thumping coming from the right front, only at slow speeds like 5-15mph. I assume the source of the thump is still there at high speed but just cannot distinguish it because it because it is happening too fast.

I am due for tires soon and wanted this fixed before getting them. I had a reliable shop check the front end for worn or loose parts. I assume they checked the ball joints, tierods, etc. They came back to me with nothing. Recommended an alignment. I passed on that until I know the thump is.

Is it a sign of the hub going out? I replaced the hubs on my Trailblazer but can't remember what the clues were to do so...

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[OR VietVet]

Could be a hub or loose lug nut or two. Could be brake caliper mount problems or brake pad moving around because hardware is bad/missing. Could even be the tire itself. If get tires do the alignment but that tech that recommended alignment was just looking for work because I bet the alignment was not going to fix the noise.

 

[Big Mama]

As stated above time to do your own detective work if you want to diy. Techs don’t usually turn down work (nothing wrong but alignment) so my 2 cents is the tire

 

[iamdub]

Rotate the tires and see if it follows

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

2wd or 4wd/awd? If 4 wheel, a failing CV joint can do that at low speed. I've had hub bearings growl in corners, quiet going straight, also had hub bearings, get loose due to internal failure, so going slow, when its going around, it hits a void spot and makes a pop or thud, when speed is up it floats over the bad spot due to inertia etc... I would jack up the front, spin that wheel and feel for any pop or grind or thud.... A failing shock would transmit alot of feel into truck and steering wheel. So think we can rule that out for the second.

SIDE NOTE:
If you have prankster friends, check your driveshaft/driveshafts? Big zip tie around one will drive you nuts... haha.

ALSO check front driveshaft if equipped. Sometimes a failing U joint can have vibrations even when not in use.

Also, make sure the tire doesn't have a tread separation starting...

 

[Royalwapiti]

Thanks,

I am some things to look at. I will have it in my heated garage this week to put a rear window defogger tab on. I'll jack it up and spin tire to see if I hear anything. If not then rotate the tires. They are not quite ready for replacement yet, but it is winter, easier decision when snowy!

 

[avalonandl]

Loose belt in a tire also.

 

[Big Mama]

While you have that corner up grab it at 6&12 then at 3&9 shake both ways and listen.

 

[89Suburban]

Maybe you got a Volkswagen stuck in your tire tread.

 

[Suwanee 07 Tahoe]

Rotate the tires and see if it follows

Maybe check your motor mounts. Just replaced one on my 07" Tahoe. Had a thump for years and finally doaled in on th esource... ;(

 

[wjburken]

I am assuming it is tied to the speed of the vehicle and not the RPM's of the motor.
When you say you noticed a thumping, it is something you are feeling or hearing?
When you are at highway speed, are you getting any vibration in the steering wheel?
When you get this thumping sound, is it more pronounced when you are turning right or turning left or no difference?

 

[CrashTestDummy]

I'd expect a bad motor mount to be more of an issue on the left side, but either can fail, and collapse so that you have metal bits hitting one another.

I'd also have a look at the sway bar end links, and the frame mounts. If a bushing goes away, they'll rattle like crazy. If that's all good, check the shock mounts, especially at the top. Good luck!

 

[jose1x]

As stated above time to do your own detective work if you want to diy. Techs don’t usually turn down work (nothing wrong but alignment) so my 2 cents is the tire

check the drive side engine mount

 

[muncie21]

Aside from tires/rims (which are pretty easy to eliminate) my thinking is wheel bearings. Loose/worn tie rod or centering link would likely show up in wobble felt in steering wheel and not a noise isolated to one side of the vehicle.

 

[jose1x]

driver side engine mount