Clicking / Rotational Noise from Front End

[AggieZig]

Hi Everyone,

New guy here, just picked up a 2004 Tahoe Z71 with 172k on her. I stole the truck from the PO because the trans was starting to go out, so I just had that rebuilt with a local shop. Since getting the truck back on Friday evening, I've noticed a ticking noise from the front that seems to start around 15MPH and increase with speed. I've already called the shop back and he said that he noticed the sound but assumed it was there before he got the truck... Anyways, I won't be able to take it back for him to listen until later this week so I wanted to try and do some research beforehand.

Here is a video clip of the noise:

Here's what I've tested so far... The noise is present when the vehicle is rolling at speed - doesn't matter if it's in neutral, 2WD or 4WD. The noise is only present when rolling (ie: not when revving in park). The noise seems to follow wheel speed, not engine speed. I can't feel any play in the front wheel bearings / hubs. I also checked to make sure the transfer case had fluid. The CV axles have a little bit of lateral (in and out) play but I believe this is normal as long as they don't have any rotational play.

Any other thoughts on what I could check?

Thanks!

 

[OR VietVet]

My first thoughts, based off of your description, is the wheel hub bearing(s). You said you checked for play. How did you do that? When you say the noise is coming from the front, how are you determining that? I don't necessarily doubt you, I just want to know how you got there. You said the noise follows the wheel speed and not engine speed, so I again am assuming that you mean the noise gets faster or louder or both? What condition are the tires in? Lots of times a person with a rig has the problem you describe before any work is done but does not notice till after other work is done and they listen more closely. You said you just got the rig, so I am assuming that you have been listening close from the beginning and this noise is indeed a new noise. I ask about location because driveshafts were removed for the trans work and that may be a source of noise from u-joints.

 

[AggieZig]

Great thoughts, thanks for the feedback. To check for wheel bearing play, I jacked up each wheel and looked for movement / looseness across the vertical axis (that runs from the ground up through the tire). I say the front based solely on what I can hear when driving - it almost sounds like its coming from under the dash. Yes it does get faster (the ticking interval) with speed, not necessarily louder though.

Tires are in fair condition, probably 3-4 years old but about 40-50% tread left. They are BFG AT KO2. You're correct that I did not notice any of this noise when purchasing and driving it back 2 hours to my place.

I did check for play in the rear driveshaft and did not detect any play in the U joints, just the "normal" slop from the trans while in park. I did not check the front driveshaft since it does not spin in 2WD.

Thanks again

 

[Scottydoggs]

you piss anyone off lately? or have a prankster for a friend?

for real it sounds like a zip tie on the drive shaft. lol

 

[OR VietVet]

I had that happen at one of my shops. One of the techs was playing a trick on another tech and did the zip tie on the driveshaft. He started home, heard the noise and pulled it in the shop. Cut the zip tie off and gave the other tech hell the next day. Good times.

 

[AggieZig]

Sh*t... could be a lazy shop technician who left a zip tie somewhere. I will take a peek underneath and see.

 

[OR VietVet]

Sh*t... could be a lazy shop technician who left a zip tie somewhere. I will take a peek underneath and see.

Don't need the asterik * when you want to tell us how you really feel.

 

[wjburken]

Don't need the asterik * when you want to tell us how you really feel.

He’s new and trying to make a good impression.

 

[OR VietVet]

Most of us don't stand on ceremony around here. He'll get the ******* hang of it.

 

[AggieZig]

Well you never know, some forums I've been on censor the shit out of their members and threaten to kick ya off if you aren't PC enough. Glad to know this isn't one of those places

 

[OR VietVet]

Well you never know, some forums I've been on censor the shit out of their members and threaten to kick ya off if you aren't PC enough. Glad to know this isn't one of those places

What we are talking about is fine but don't get political. That is a no no.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/tyf-political-posts-policy-reminder.116328/

 

[Doubeleive]

when you checked those front hubs did you happen to spin the wheels and listen for the noise? if there is no noise when spinning the front wheels then chock the front wheels, jack up the rear wheels put it in gear at idle and listen for the noise.

 

[clandr1]

Here are two videos that might help: one is an old/bad wheel bearing that was starting to roar, and another that is new. You can see how much easier the old one spins than the new one. In this case, the old wheel bearing had ZERO play that I could discern when using the typical diagnosing steps. You may just have to pull the wheel off and see how hard/easy the bearing is to spin by hand.

 

[AggieZig]

Thanks, I spun both wheel bearings. They feel tight and as they should but I did hear a very faint tick from the passenger side. It's hard to spin it fast enough by hand to know if it's my problem. I took the CV axle off as well to confirm that the noise was coming from the bearing and it appears to be. I ordered a replacement Moog bearing hub assembly and will try to replace that tomorrow. Will update after to see if that fixes my issue.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you already have both sides tore down and can afford it, I would replace both hubs/bearings but I can spend your money like nobody's business.

 

[clandr1]

Thanks, I spun both wheel bearings. They feel tight and as they should but I did hear a very faint tick from the passenger side. It's hard to spin it fast enough by hand to know if it's my problem. I took the CV axle off as well to confirm that the noise was coming from the bearing and it appears to be. I ordered a replacement Moog bearing hub assembly and will try to replace that tomorrow. Will update after to see if that fixes my issue.

Good call. That faint tick could be what you're hearing. I imagine that tick gets MUCH louder when the weight of the truck is on the bearing, and is moving down the road at 30+ mph. Please keep us posted.

 

[OR VietVet]

Also, I would not do a Moog hub/bearing. I would do a Timken or AC Delco.

 

[clandr1]

Also, I would not do a Moog hub/bearing. I would do a Timken or AC Delco.

Good point. I replaced mine with Timken brand bearings and they've gone around 90k miles trouble free.

 

[JonnyTahoe]

Also, I would not do a Moog hub/bearing. I would do a Timken or AC Delco.

He already ordered it. It will last plenty long enough. My Detroit Axle Bearing has made it almost a year with no problems and that was a 40.00 Bearing.

 

[OR VietVet]

He already ordered it. It will last plenty long enough. My Detroit Axle Bearing has made it almost a year with no problems and that was a 40.00 Bearing.

Yea, what we recommend and what gets done can be 2 different things. It is always the vehicle owner's call. By "last plenty long enough" does that mean that you have plans not to keep the rig?