Where should I get wheel bearings for my 2004 yukon denali?

[OffBrandCornDog]

I have a pretty loud humming noise coming from somewhere under my 2004 Yukon Denali, and I am currently praying that it is just one of the wheel bearings going bad, though its been making this noise for months now. I have replaced the front diff as I have been told when they reach higher milage they tend to fail because of poor maintenance from past owners, and the fact that 04 Denalis are 4wd all the time but that didn't fix the hum. I've also replaced the front left wheel bearing, because I believed that was where the sound was coming, I seemed to go away for a couple of days after that, but I also wasn't driving it as much then so I'm not 100% sure. I am kind of worried that it could be transmission but the liquid doesn't look bad, and I feel that if that was the case it would have failed long ago. If it helps, the sound only happens from like 40-50 mph and 60-70mph, however it does occur at other speeds, it also ONLY happens when I'm pressing the gas, and if I press the gas lightly, like just a tap it sounds much louder. I have heard of the trick to shift it into neutral while moving to see if it goes away, and when I do that, it does pretty much go away, but not fully. I'm no car guy but that does make me worry that it could be some sort of torque convertor or something transmission/diff related. I would like to start by replacing wheel bearings, and I'm wondering the best place to buy them, because I don't wanna get a part that is going to break on me in like 2 months. If it helps I currently have no dash warnings that are visible, and for the most part it drives okay, I have felt a loss of power, and a lot more engine noise, but that I believe that could be age.

 

[Big Mama]

Regardless of age the engine shouldn’t make odd noises. Do you notice any lag between gears or when you put it in drive? Can you be a little more specific where the sound comes from? Front right or left, under your seat, etc. I wouldn’t throw any more parts at it until you know what it is. Generally you’d replace wheel bearings in pairs.

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

no not really, maybe a second of delay when going into reverse but I've been told that's pretty normal, and it doesn't shift hard, sometimes it fights shifting when pressing the gas a little harder, but when it does shift it doesn't feel too wrong? I think the sound is coming from directly under me (drivers seat), which is what made me think it was diff related, but there is also vibration where the hum comes from, i feel it in the pedal and in the steering wheel. for the engine noise, sometimes when i start it for the first couple of minutes when going to high rpms the engine whines, but then quickly goes away and doesn't come back for days. thanks for your help, i don't mean to sound dumb, I'm more knowledgeable with animals LOL

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Find a trusted local shop and get the truck up on the lift with a person in the driver's seat, and shift into Drive and give it some gas. Another mechanic with a mechanic's stethoscope will be under the truck, tracing down the source of the sound. When I had this done with my truck, they found that the front differential mounts' gaskets were shot, and after replacing the mounts and their bushings, the sound went away.

This may or may not identify the source of your issue, but I believe that it is a good starting point, before firing the parts cannon.

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

Find a trusted local shop and get the truck up on the lift with a person in the driver's seat, and shift into Drive and give it some gas. Another mechanic with a mechanic's stethoscope will be under the truck, tracing down the source of the sound. When I had this done with my truck, they found that the front differential mounts' gaskets were shot, and after replacing the mounts and their bushings, the sound went away.

This may or may not identify the source of your issue, but I believe that it is a good starting point, before firing the parts cannon.

thank you so much i really appreciate that, unfortunately i just moved super far from home so I don't have anyone near me I know just yet but ill start looking around. if anyone knows any one near Dallas Texas that would be much appreciated

 

[Doubeleive]

I have a pretty loud humming noise coming from somewhere under my 2004 Yukon Denali, and I am currently praying that it is just one of the wheel bearings going bad, though its been making this noise for months now. I have replaced the front diff as I have been told when they reach higher milage they tend to fail because of poor maintenance from past owners, and the fact that 04 Denalis are 4wd all the time but that didn't fix the hum. I've also replaced the front left wheel bearing, because I believed that was where the sound was coming, I seemed to go away for a couple of days after that, but I also wasn't driving it as much then so I'm not 100% sure. I am kind of worried that it could be transmission but the liquid doesn't look bad, and I feel that if that was the case it would have failed long ago. If it helps, the sound only happens from like 40-50 mph and 60-70mph, however it does occur at other speeds, it also ONLY happens when I'm pressing the gas, and if I press the gas lightly, like just a tap it sounds much louder. I have heard of the trick to shift it into neutral while moving to see if it goes away, and when I do that, it does pretty much go away, but not fully. I'm no car guy but that does make me worry that it could be some sort of torque convertor or something transmission/diff related. I would like to start by replacing wheel bearings, and I'm wondering the best place to buy them, because I don't wanna get a part that is going to break on me in like 2 months. If it helps I currently have no dash warnings that are visible, and for the most part it drives okay, I have felt a loss of power, and a lot more engine noise, but that I believe that could be age.

I would be looking at the pinion bearing, if it is leaking there then you can almost bet money it's the source of the noise.
best bet is to get a inspection from a reputable shop before throwing more parts at it.

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

I would be looking at the pinion bearing, if it is leaking there then you can almost bet money it's the source of the noise.
best bet is to get a inspection from a reputable shop before throwing more parts at it.

would this not have been replaced when i got the diff replaced about 9 weeks back? not trying to sound smart I just dont know

 

[Doubeleive]

would this not have been replaced when i got the diff replaced about 9 weeks back? not trying to sound smart I just dont know

Not unless it is on the invoice and you paid for it. there is a yoke, ring & pinion, bearings and seal, separate but attached to the drive shaft & rear diff.
it would be listed separate on your invoice.
the pinion is what determines your rear axle ratio, i.e. 3.08, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 etc

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

Not unless it is on the invoice and you paid for it. there is a yoke, ring & pinion, bearings and seal, separate but attached to the drive shaft & rear diff.
it would be listed separate on your invoice.
the pinion is what determines your rear axle ratio, i.e. 3.08, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 etc
View attachment 462695

how much does this normally cost to get replaced, i do have a shop near me that specializes on diffs and transmission stuff i could try to go there

 

[Doubeleive]

how much does this normally cost to get replaced, i do have a shop near me that specializes on diffs and transmission stuff i could try to go there

a typical price is around $650, I would guess probably a little more now due to inflation
it's a bit labor intensive, it's like the differential job, except the pinion is at the front of the housing, so wheels off, brakes off, differential out, axles out (enough to get the guts out)
then the pinion is in the front of the housing connected to the drive shaft/yoke, then put it all back together and new fluid.
but you don't want to do all that unless it is determined to be the issue for sure.
then.....unless it's perfect it could still make noise.... just how the cookie crumbles...

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

a typical price is around $650, I would guess probably a little more now due to inflation
it's a bit labor intensive, it's like the differential job, except the pinion is at the front of the housing, so wheels off, brakes off, differential out, axles out (enough to get the guts out)
then the pinion is in the front of the housing connected to the drive shaft/yoke, then put it all back together and new fluid.
but you don't want to do all that unless it is determined to be the issue for sure.
then.....unless it's perfect it could still make noise.... just how the cookie crumbles...

okay well i really appreciate the help so far, when i have the extra money ill call and see if they can diag it and confirm it, but from what ive read a bad pinion bearing will do everything that is happening to my denali, so thank you so much again!

 

[Doubeleive]

okay well i really appreciate the help so far, when i have the extra money ill call and see if they can diag it and confirm it, but from what ive read a bad pinion bearing will do everything that is happening to my denali, so thank you so much again!

you can jack up the front wheels and check the hubs yourself as well.

 

[Doubeleive]

it's possible you or whoever checks it might need to use some chassis ears to pinpoint the source.
I would be mad if I was told it was this or that and it turned out not to be the case......

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

you can jack up the front wheels and check the hubs yourself as well.

What would i be looking for/ are their any obvious signs?

 

[Doubeleive]

What would i be looking for/ are their any obvious signs?

ya you want to check for any play by grabbing wheel (off the ground) and try to wiggle it at 12 & 6, should be no play at all, a little bit at 3 & 9 is normal because of the steering.
then spin the wheel by hand and listen for any ticking noises or grinding sound, should be almost dead silent.

 

[Doubeleive]

if it sounds like your rubbing 2 ceramic dinner plates together that's likely a bad hub, as long as it is not the brakes.

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

if it sounds like your rubbing 2 ceramic dinner plates together that's likely a bad hub, as long as it is not the brakes.

would i be able to spin a while when only one is jacked up or would i need the whole yukon in the air, or would i need to jack up the whole front end

 

[Doubeleive]

would i be able to spin a while when only one is jacked up or would i need the whole yukon in the air, or would i need to jack up the whole front end

good question, not sure on the awd, only 1 wheel up might not spin

 

[Fless]

would i be able to spin a while when only one is jacked up or would i need the whole yukon in the air, or would i need to jack up the whole front end

Be sure to set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels. If not, the AWD can roll...

 

[mjpeterson]

I have a pretty loud humming noise coming from somewhere under my 2004 Yukon Denali, and I am currently praying that it is just one of the wheel bearings going bad, though its been making this noise for months now. I have replaced the front diff as I have been told when they reach higher milage they tend to fail because of poor maintenance from past owners, and the fact that 04 Denalis are 4wd all the time but that didn't fix the hum. I've also replaced the front left wheel bearing, because I believed that was where the sound was coming, I seemed to go away for a couple of days after that, but I also wasn't driving it as much then so I'm not 100% sure. I am kind of worried that it could be transmission but the liquid doesn't look bad, and I feel that if that was the case it would have failed long ago. If it helps, the sound only happens from like 40-50 mph and 60-70mph, however it does occur at other speeds, it also ONLY happens when I'm pressing the gas, and if I press the gas lightly, like just a tap it sounds much louder. I have heard of the trick to shift it into neutral while moving to see if it goes away, and when I do that, it does pretty much go away, but not fully. I'm no car guy but that does make me worry that it could be some sort of torque convertor or something transmission/diff related. I would like to start by replacing wheel bearings, and I'm wondering the best place to buy them, because I don't wanna get a part that is going to break on me in like 2 months. If it helps I currently have no dash warnings that are visible, and for the most part it drives okay, I have felt a loss of power, and a lot more engine noise, but that I believe that could be age.

Those mile per hour noise reminds me of bad tires.