Strange Problem - Front Wheel noise

[177mph]

Here's the background: 03 GMC Yukon with the 5.3. 75,000 miles. Serviced all of its life at the local GMC dealer. Spends most of its time in 2wd - with the switch to awd or 4wd when we get snow. Approximatley 5 months ago I had the "four wheel drive service" done which they told me was replacing the fluids in the transfer case and general inspection of all the parts. No issues.

Approximately one month ago - I started hearing bad sounds coming from the front wheels. Most likely the drivers front. On three occasions after I'd driven the truck about a mile from start up - I'd hear a horrendous crunch from the front end (like I'd just run over a microwave or something - I swear) and then no odd noises. I'd stop - get out - look around - nothing.

Then I started hearing (and feeling) a growling, crunching sound as I drove (at any speed - and didnt matter if I was in drive, neutral, or had brakes on or off). Again - all from the front end. Not a loud sound - but if you listened you could hear it. So i bring it to the dealer - they find nothing wrong. Brakes are fine - 4wd is fine. Cant diagnose a noise. They say that sometimes the rust from the rotor hats gets in the brakes. So they cleaned those.

The noise is still there and it sounds bad. Im going back to the dealer - but before I do - anyone else have this issue?

 

[blueflamed03]

wow...sounds like time for a second opinion. If this all started after they serviced the front end and 4x4 parts, time to have it re-looked at by another tech.

PS welcome to the site

 

[MikeTheApeman]

If you hear it in neutral, that rules out a wheel bearing, since the tire's not turning.

BTW, I've always been told that even if it's sunny and hot, it's not a bad idea to throw it in 4wd every so often for a few miles, just to make sure the gears are moving.

 

[177mph]

The truck is in neutral - but rolling. So - I think it could still be a wheel bearing.

 

[Chads93GT]

your hub is going bad, ive replaced both. jack the front end up and see if you can replicate the noise. Shake the wwheel side to side, top to bottom. If there is play/slop and noise your hub needs replaced. 3 15mm bolts hold the hub to the suspension and it generally has to be beat out with a hammer when its an original piece. 4x4 will make it more interesting to get out, but its still easy. I had to replace on that went bad in a hotel parking lot in oklahoma city once. I walked to walmart, spend $50 on 2 jack stands and one of those small 2 ton jacks. i already had wrenches and what not in my truck so I didnt need any other tools. put the front end on jacks, took the tires/brakes/rotor off, got access to the hub, broke the bolts loose, took it out and walked a mile to oreillys to buy a new one. It was either spend a few bucks on more tools, or pay a mechanic $150 to do it. Id rather have new tools and do it myself.

 

[177mph]

Thanks Chads. I'm going to bring it back to the dealer this Friday. Its now making a constant grinding noise especially on left hand turns.

 

[diffrnt]

It is probably the wheel bearings. I just had my passenger side service for this. It started as a low roaring and progressively got louder. Now my big baby runs better than ever!

 

[177mph]

Its the hubs!

Dealer called. Both front hubs went bad. Unfortunately I cant do the work myself since I dont have the time or space - so they're charging 1300 bucks. Sucks. Keep an eye on your hubs!

 

[YNOT]

that's overpriced stealership labor right there, but we've all been there at one point or another.

 

[ecordell]

Sorry to hear that man, if I weren't 900+ miles away I'd have you swing by and we'd get those babies replaced......

 

[Sasquatch]

$1300?!! thats like 2-3 hours labor to do that and if i recall premium bearings from napa are like $130 each. what a ripoff!