Weird noise?? Alittle Help possibly on problem

[WHITEOUT]

So yesterday I started hearing a weird noise coming from what sounds like the rear driver side wheel, but may be the front. I thought it was my brake pads needing replaced, but the noise doesn't go away with brake peddle applied. Then, when I turned right, it seemed to go away for a second until wheels were straightened, which made me think it was coming from the front.

It sounds like a very light squeeling, metal rubbing, kinda like brake pads going bad, but not very loud at all. Which made me think it is my front bearings/hubs going bad since it stopped once I turned right.

Also, if I hit the brakes hard and come to a stop, when I let off the brakes lightly, just alittle roll, feels like a "clunking", almost like wheel got stuck backwards, then let loose once brakes were let loose alittle. Is this all signs of a bad front bearing/hub?

Any suggestions??? What would a hub/bearing going bad sound like?

I plan on taking it to the shop next week, since I need my front lower ball joints replaced, so I will ask them. But am hoping for some possible solutions prior to taking it in.

 

[ilmk123]

I think that you are right. My guess would be front hub.......Scott

 

[FLHOE]

I have the same problem. Did you find out if it is the hub or was it another issue?

 

[clean02tahoe916]

i had what sounds like the same issue. it was in the rear on the driver side. it is the inside emergence brake shoe. I thought it was the backing plate. I litterally cut the backing plate off. Then i found out from a friend that it is the emergency brake. put new shoes in. the noise stopped.

 

[FLHOE]

For the cost and the work, I will replace the e-brake shoes to see if that resolves the problem.

 

[FLHOE]

When I drove to work today, the noise is from the front tires and sometimes I can feel it in the steering wheel. Is there a way to check the hubs are worn out?

 

[chip]

that sounds like a wheel bearing to me!!!!

 

[Thumper8302]

When I drove to work today, the noise is from the front tires and sometimes I can feel it in the steering wheel. Is there a way to check the hubs are worn out?

just jack up the front and grab ur tire and see if u can wiggle it... it should be nice and firm.. if it wiggles u got a bad hub or bearing

 

[Boomer73]

Sounds like wheel bearing to me too. When you hear the sound, is the sound oscillating (whup, whup, whup...) or is it a constant metal-on-metal grinding? Please confirm that you are hearing it when you are NOT braking.

-B

 

[chip]

if it goes away when you turn the wheel (with or without braking), then it's 99.9% the wheel bearing!

 

[03YukonNH]

I had a similiar problem recently. Little shaking in the wheel, screeching noise. It sounded like the rear wheel to me. I thought it was the E-brake inside the hub but it ended up being a really really dried out rear universal joint. If yours has been replaced in the past it most likely has grease fittings so try adding some grease. If not then they are original from the factory and have to be replaced.

 

[WHITEOUT]

I had a similiar problem recently. Little shaking in the wheel, screeching noise. It sounded like the rear wheel to me. I thought it was the E-brake inside the hub but it ended up being a really really dried out rear universal joint. If yours has been replaced in the past it most likely has grease fittings so try adding some grease. If not then they are original from the factory and have to be replaced.

Where are those rear universal joints at? I just greased all my front steering components 2 days ago, but couldn't find anything in the rear to grease, ie. no zirt fittings. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks everyone for the great input. just haven't had time to jack up the front end and check the wheels for wobble to see if the hubs/bearings are bad. It hasn't made the noise lately, so... Out of sight out of mind kinda thing. I know it's not the way to go about it, so needs to get done here soon. Will jack up the truck this week and check the wheels.

Also, need to do my front and rear pads. My rears may be bad, because if I apply my E-brake, it's almost like nothing is there. I mean, if E-brake is applied on a hill, it will kinda roll back very slowly. I don't get that, cause I just did my brakes 6 months ago.

How do you check E-brake??? thanks everyone for the info

 

[03YukonNH]

The ebrake works like the old school drum brakes. The shoes are located inside the hub of the rear rotors. When you apply the ebrake, the outside calipers are not what holds the truck still on a hill but rather the inside brake shoes that push themselves outwards to hold the inside of the rotor.

Also, the universal joints are located on the drive shaft. There is one up front where the drive shaft goes into the transmission and one right before the connection to the rear differential.

 

[WHITEOUT]

thanks so much for that information 03YukonNH. Greatly appreciate that help. Now I just need to figure out how to get to those rear E-brake pads to replace. thanks again, hope to get this figured out.

 

[Eagle]

there is a write up in the Tech forum, as well as a link to an online chiltons in General

 

[WhoDatPanic]

did you ever figure out what it was? i have the same noise i think i changed front brake pads and it is still there sounds like metal on metal but very lightly or like leaves stuck in a spoke haha its annoying only can hear it when driving on small close streets or with cars parked driving by... is it wheel bearings ?

 

[FLHOE]

Finally figured it out. It's the front differential. When I put it in 4 wheel drive she humms and grinds pretty loud. Need to call around for a local shop to rebuild. Dealer wants 1200-1800 depending on the parts that need to be replaced. This sucks!

 

[droppedHoe]

im gonna check my truck b/c its making the same noise and i was thinking it was tie rods or something...
i was about to make a thread but using the search can work wonders
i know mine isnt the front dif as my truck is only 2wd

think i need to replace the e-brake pads as well b/c i can push it all the way in and the truck will roll if in reverse or drive...

---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 PM ----------

i know the tread is a little old but help me out real quick TYF family.
is this hub any good or should i just stick to napa?
http://www.am-autoparts.com/AM/Front-Wheel-Hubs/Chevrolet/Tahoe/-/AM-59158023/?utm_source=google_base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=new_google_base_feed

 

[TnTahoe]

i got my front hubs from ebay so im sure those will be fine