2020 Suburban with awful roaring noise

[spradilak]

Hey folks, I will include an imgur link at the bottom for the video with sound since i cant figure out where to attach it. I've got a 2020 Suburban Premier with 100k miles thats making an awful roaring noise that sounds like mud tires. I replaced my tires with Michelin Defenders today and it made 0% difference in the sound.

It is so loud now that we actually have to speak up quite a bit just to talk in the car. I thought maybe its a wheel bearing but no amount of swerving or rocking the wheels while its jacked up gives me any indication of a bearing failure, but its quite possible. Im thinking either rear bearing or differential. But letting off the gas makes bo difference.

It sounds like its coming from everywhere inside the car but if I had to pick a corner, I would say right rear. Let me know what you think or if you've had this problem. Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/ije4VbQ

Roaring sound

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

I recommend that you take the truck to a trusted local repair shop, and get the truck on a lift with the wheels off the ground and with someone inside the truck. Put the truck in gear and press the gas pedal a bit, and see if the noise also occurs in the unloaded situation (wheels off the ground). If the noise still occurs, then the Mechanic underneath the truck can go around, with a stethoscope if necessary, and locate the source of the noise. From what you describe, a stethoscope probably won't be necessary.

 

[Geotrash]

Hey folks, I will include an imgur link at the bottom for the video with sound since i cant figure out where to attach it. I've got a 2020 Suburban Premier with 100k miles thats making an awful roaring noise that sounds like mud tires. I replaced my tires with Michelin Defenders today and it made 0% difference in the sound.

It is so loud now that we actually have to speak up quite a bit just to talk in the car. I thought maybe its a wheel bearing but no amount of swerving or rocking the wheels while its jacked up gives me any indication of a bearing failure, but its quite possible. Im thinking either rear bearing or differential. But letting off the gas makes bo difference.

It sounds like its coming from everywhere inside the car but if I had to pick a corner, I would say right rear. Let me know what you think or if you've had this problem. Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/ije4VbQ

Roaring sound

I've had a wheel bearing sound like that when it failed. Any leakage around the right rear brake backing plate?

 

[spradilak]

I've had a wheel bearing sound like that when it failed. Any leakage around the right rear brake backing plate?

I thought I updated this but apparently not. Yes there is leakage around the left rear backing plate(edit:added a picture of the leakage below). I took it to a shop and they said wheel bearings. So I replaced both rear wheel bearings and seals and the sound is still exactly the same. What would cause the leaking from the backing plate? Also on the side with the leakage around the backing plate, I had a HELL of a time getting the axle in and out. I had to use a slide hammer to get it out the first time. I dont believe thats normal.

So I put the stethoscope on the differential and the noise is 100% from the diff. As my knowledge is very limited with differential work i guess im going to have to pony up to get it looked at yet again, by a different shop.

 

[Geotrash]

I thought I updated this but apparently not. Yes there is leakage around the left rear backing plate(edit:added a picture of the leakage below). I took it to a shop and they said wheel bearings. So I replaced both rear wheel bearings and seals and the sound is still exactly the same. What would cause the leaking from the backing plate? Also on the side with the leakage around the backing plate, I had a HELL of a time getting the axle in and out. I had to use a slide hammer to get it out the first time. I dont believe thats normal.

So I put the stethoscope on the differential and the noise is 100% from the diff. As my knowledge is very limited with differential work i guess im going to have to pony up to get it looked at yet again, by a different shop.View attachment 485260

Yeah, that leakage is a classic sign of a failing axle seal on that side. But I'm confused - didn't you just replace that bearing and seal?

Yes, a slide hammer is sometimes needed to get the axle shafts out after removing the c-clips on the diff side.

You might be money ahead to go to a junkyard and pick up a low-mileage used rear axle assembly that's in good shape. I have 255K on my 07's original rear axle and nary a leak in all of that time. Still dry as a bone, so they can last a long time.

 

[pronstar]

Yeah these axle seals are sorta troublesome. Have had to replace one on both of our trucks.

Actually also replaced the axle on our Sub at the same time, there was scoring where the seal lives and I didn’t want to do the job twice.

Makes a damned mess when it leaks, that’s for sure, and can also foul the parking drum and/or brake rotor/pad if it leaks enough.