Newbie with drivetrain noise

[vcode]

New here but I have browsed for a while. 2010 Tahoe LT 4WD, 48K miles. I have driveline noise that does not appear in my friends 2012 Tahoe or a 2014 model I drove. Starts around 25-30 mph to about 45 mph when is gets drowned out by wind noise/road noise. I doubt it is tire noise as my friend has the same Bridgestones (mine are new) and the noise does not change over differing pavement, in the rain or snow. Not any worse with acceleration or deceleration, or turning one way or another. 2 dealers have looked at it, both admit it is noisy. One replaced a rear axle bearing, the other did a front diff rebuild as the bearings were shot (at 48K!). They say the wheel bearing are good. Any other suggestions? Still have 1 month left on the powertrain warranty. Thanks.....

 

[iNFamas]

Could you be more specific on the sounds? Like is it a whine that changed pitch with speed or is it a constant pitch at any speed.

 

[vcode]

It's not a high pitch whine that changes pitch. It's more of a low pitch hum/thrum that gets louder between 30 and 45 mph. I'm tempted to say it sounds like the rear end gears as it sounds like it comes from the back of the truck. But I know that can be deceiving. Could it be transmission or transfer case related?

 

[iNFamas]

Ok to clarify, does it sound anything like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8cbT52duQ

This is what tranny whine sounds like that changes pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9u9wsSl3Sc

Ring any bells or not quite what your experiencing?

 

[vcode]

No, it almost sounds like a wheel bearing going bad, but at a much lower level. Or if you had snow tires on, except changes in pavement or even running on packed snow doesn't make a difference. I know front diffs are a trouble area, are there others?

 

[iNFamas]

No, it almost sounds like a wheel bearing going bad, but at a much lower level. Or if you had snow tires on, except changes in pavement or even running on packed snow doesn't make a difference. I know front diffs are a trouble area, are there others?

Ok I think we can eliminate trans and diff's.

Double check those wheel bearings

You know what would be helpful is if you can get the Tahoe on a lift and put it on cruise control at 40. You can take it to a shop and ask if they can do this or do this in your garage. You'll need jack stands and chocks for the front tires, but thats ultimately up to whatever your comfort level is. I would have another person help to.

 

[byrds6]

I use to own a Honda pilot that kind of roared at the same speeds your talking about. It was bad tires. They had some cheap Goodyear integrity on them. They even tried several sets and it was the tires. They also did not change pitch when on different types of roadway.

 

[vcode]

These are the OEM Bridgestone Duelers. Brand new, and the old ones had the same noise. My friends Tahoe and the other one I drove have the same tires and make no noise. I would hope the dealer put it on a lift to check for noise but who knows. I think I will give them one more try before taking it to a local guy who specializes in this stuff.

 

[vcode]

Well it went back to the dealer and they now say it's a carrier bearing, perhaps a botched job from a few months ago. They are also saying GM will not cover it under the powertrain warranty. BS I say as axle/carrier bearings are covered in their warranty, wheel bearings are not. The guy actually told me the bearing had to be inside of the diff itself in order to be covered. Hunh? GM customer assistance has been called, bet they will be of no help.......