Weird Sound?

Fobroader · May 18, 2011

Ive got a sound thats a lot like pebbles in a concrete mixer coming out of the front end of my 2006 3/4 ton 4x4. Is that hub unit or a CV axle?? I tried the classic test of making turns and the CVs didnt click....Im lost....HELP!!!

8.1HD/ALLISON · May 18, 2011

Jack the front end up and wiggle tires up and down. Sounds like a wheel bearing ready to come apart.

Shawn T · May 19, 2011

Like HD 8.1 said, get the front tires in the air, your going to find some slop in 1 or both wheels. These trucks are famous for creaming front wheel bearings. My brother has went through a set on his 03 @ just under 100 k miles. I replaced my right side about 6 weeks ago. I only have 55 k miles on my 06. It's a snap, if you have air tools. It is only about a 20 minute job once you get the tire off. Take the brake caliper and caliper bracket off. Remove the dust cover and rattle off the axle nut. Pop the CV axle out. Unlplug the wheel speed sensor right next to the frame. Remove the 4 hub assembly bolts on the back side of the knuckle. Keep your brake rotor and dust cover. The kicker is that the new 1 will set you back at least $250. Mine ended up $290 at Napa with tax. Word of advise: Just change the bad 1, unless you have another 3 bills to throw at the other side. That is unless you need both. I know guys who have changed 2 hub assemblies on 1 side without the other side failing. Good luck.

Fobroader · May 19, 2011

Thanks guys!!

newdude · May 19, 2011

Make sure to torque the axle nut to spec. If its overtightened, you will be buying a new hub sooner rather than later.

Spec for the nut is 177 ft.lbs.

Fobroader · May 24, 2011

Make sure to torque the axle nut to spec. If its overtightened, you will be buying a new hub sooner rather than later.

Spec for the nut is 177 ft.lbs.

177ft/lbs.....crikey, thats a lot of torque, I dont think going over is really going to be the issue....

hockeypro1411 · May 28, 2011

Like HD 8.1 said, get the front tires in the air, your going to find some slop in 1 or both wheels. These trucks are famous for creaming front wheel bearings. My brother has went through a set on his 03 @ just under 100 k miles. I replaced my right side about 6 weeks ago. I only have 55 k miles on my 06. It's a snap, if you have air tools. It is only about a 20 minute job once you get the tire off. Take the brake caliper and caliper bracket off. Remove the dust cover and rattle off the axle nut. Pop the CV axle out. Unlplug the wheel speed sensor right next to the frame. Remove the 4 hub assembly bolts on the back side of the knuckle. Keep your brake rotor and dust cover. The kicker is that the new 1 will set you back at least $250. Mine ended up $290 at Napa with tax. Word of advise: Just change the bad 1, unless you have another 3 bills to throw at the other side. That is unless you need both. I know guys who have changed 2 hub assemblies on 1 side without the other side failing. Good luck.

WOW you got hosed for parts. I went to NAPA and got one for $80 with a lifetime warranty..

Fobroader · May 28, 2011

Wheel bearing are fine, turns out my transfer case is shot. Chunks of metal when I drained it. Thanks for the advice anyways. Now to find a place around here that has cheap t-cases....

06_GMC · May 29, 2011

Sorry to hear buddy. Check some junk yards and stuff. Sometimes just tearing into it can lead to one simple failure and a fairly cheap part or vice versa.

Fobroader · May 30, 2011

Id love to be able to do that, but I need my truck everyday, Ill just suck it up, give $2K to the driveline shop and have the truck back in a day.

06_GMC · May 30, 2011

I take it you didn't get a warranty on the truck? How many miles are on it? Again sorry to hear that really sucks bad.

Fobroader · May 30, 2011

Its got about 180,000Km, which is about 110,000miles or so. Id normally do this myself, but I cant afford to have the truck down for more than a day. Plus the shop I have is only charging me $350 to remove and replace the transfer case, the T-case itself is about $1200. The guy told me there might be some beef up parts depending upon the type of t-case I have. Plus I was wanting to get those bloody transmission cooler lines replaced anyways. Thanks man, it does suck, but I got the truck for a smoking deal......now I know why.

Shawn T · May 31, 2011

Like HD 8.1 said, get the front tires in the air, your going to find some slop in 1 or both wheels. These trucks are famous for creaming front wheel bearings. My brother has went through a set on his 03 @ just under 100 k miles. I replaced my right side about 6 weeks ago. I only have 55 k miles on my 06. It's a snap, if you have air tools. It is only about a 20 minute job once you get the tire off. Take the brake caliper and caliper bracket off. Remove the dust cover and rattle off the axle nut. Pop the CV axle out. Unlplug the wheel speed sensor right next to the frame. Remove the 4 hub assembly bolts on the back side of the knuckle. Keep your brake rotor and dust cover. The kicker is that the new 1 will set you back at least $250. Mine ended up $290 at Napa with tax. Word of advise: Just change the bad 1, unless you have another 3 bills to throw at the other side. That is unless you need both. I know guys who have changed 2 hub assemblies on 1 side without the other side failing. Good luck.

WOW you got hosed for parts. I went to NAPA and got one for $80 with a lifetime warranty..

Are you sure we are talking about the same part? Wheel hub assembly with ABS sensor? I bought mine at Napa also. Even wholesale prices were no less than $250. I know people who replaced theirs 4 years ago and paid over $250. Here is the Napa part online

https://www.napaonline.com/ShoppingCart/shopping-cart.aspx

3 month warranty

Add lifetime warranty and shipping, it's about $290. That's what I I paid in store. $80?