Rock hitting wheel well/fender sound

Kerrslight · December 1, 2014

Have any of you guys experienced a sound as if a rock is hitting wheel well or fender? I know this sounds silly, but I've noticed it several times, only on the passenger side I believe. From what I've gathered, it only happens when I'm accelerating from a stop and turning. Not one or the other, happens when I'm accelerating while turning...from what I believe. It almost sounds like it's coming from in between the front and rear wheel, but I can't pin point it. Not a consistent sound either.

Another thing I've noticed is when I turn the steering wheel, I hear and feel a click, click click in the steering wheel. Only heard it once and I believe I was turning the wheel to the left.

Only thing I've done to my truck is add a 2.5" TGC level.

Any ideas?

fondupot · December 1, 2014

Prolly a rock hitting the fender edge...

Kerrslight · December 1, 2014

I knew I was going to get flack for posting this, but it is definitely not a rock. Every time I've heard it I have been on solid pavement or pulling out of a parking lot, driveway etc. Not going fast enough for a rock to come out of the tread and hit the fender. Always same exact sound. In addition, the way it sounds makes me believe it would be one hell of a rock hitting the fender if it was indeed a rock.

Kerrslight · December 1, 2014

Ok so I did some more reading and I found these. First article is the noise I feel like I'm hearing and the second is another noise I heard the other day.

http://www.silveradosierra.com/transmission/clicking-cracking-noise-when-accelerating-only-t11858.html (Rock hitting fender sound)

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/85411-clicking-sound/ (Clicking while turning steering wheel)

Could it possibly be a U-Joint issue? The truck has just over 5K on it. Could a leveling kit contribute to this at all? I'd like to take it into the dealership, but I dont want them to say I installed a leveling kit so I voided the warranty.

20L8TSierra24 · December 2, 2014

Ok so I did some more reading and I found these. First article is the noise I feel like I'm hearing and the second is another noise I heard the other day.

http://www.silveradosierra.com/transmission/clicking-cracking-noise-when-accelerating-only-t11858.html (Rock hitting fender sound)

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/85411-clicking-sound/ (Clicking while turning steering wheel)

Could it possibly be a U-Joint issue? The truck has just over 5K on it. Could a leveling kit contribute to this at all? I'd like to take it into the dealership, but I dont want them to say I installed a leveling kit so I voided the warranty.

Take the level out before you take it in. Some trucks have had the A arm bushings go bad, some if its a 4x4 maybe CV, or universal? Mine makes a clicking noise once in a while upon acceleration but nothing to worry about. Good luck

Clocked92 · December 2, 2014

Here I thought that this was actually a rock hitting the side of the truck but yes I know exactly what you are talking about. It's totally random when it happens for me though. Different speeds, rpms, gear, etc. Also I hear it occasionally on both sides of the truck.

I'm subscribing to this thread, please keep me updated with what the dealer says.

Kerrslight · December 2, 2014

Here I thought that this was actually a rock hitting the side of the truck but yes I know exactly what you are talking about. It's totally random when it happens for me though. Different speeds, rpms, gear, etc. Also I hear it occasionally on both sides of the truck.

I'm subscribing to this thread, please keep me updated with what the dealer says.

Do you have a leveling kit installed on your truck or anything else?

Kerrslight · December 2, 2014

Take the level out before you take it in. Some trucks have had the A arm bushings go bad, some if its a 4x4 maybe CV, or universal? Mine makes a clicking noise once in a while upon acceleration but nothing to worry about. Good luck

Do you have a leveling kit or anything installed on your truck? Just trying to narrow things down. I really don't see it to be a problem, more of a nuisance. Anytime I hear something other than regular driving noise I just like to pinpoint the issue.

Clocked92 · December 2, 2014

Do you have a leveling kit installed on your truck or anything else?

Nope completely stock.

20L8TSierra24 · December 3, 2014

Do you have a leveling kit or anything installed on your truck? Just trying to narrow things down. I really don't see it to be a problem, more of a nuisance. Anytime I hear something other than regular driving noise I just like to pinpoint the issue.

No level, but I put 285 LT Terra grapplers on. I'm sure my noise is from the front universal/slip yolk. My 06 made the same noise from day 1 and 80000 miles and 8 years later it was fine. You bought the wrong truck BC these things make all kinds of different noises between the DI, AFM, flapper valves, brakes clicking when let off from a stop, rock hitting the window sound... 10,000 miles on mine now and it drives smooth still and nothing to complain about!

TX_AT · December 5, 2014

Subscribed. I've heard that same noise several times and I really did think it was a rock even though I was barely taking off. I have a level and MT tires (rock high possibility).

Kerrslight · December 6, 2014

Well glad I'm not the only one. I'll probably be taking my truck into the dealership in the next week or so for something else. I'll mention this to them and let you guys if they come back with anything.

nuclearxp · December 6, 2014

I was thinking about this too - I only get it sporadically once every few weeks, but do you guys having this sound have the plastic mud flaps?

I think whomever mentioned it's probably a rock being let loose and hitting the fender guard was right. I have the plastic mud flaps all around and after thinking about that comment I'll bet it's just rocks/pebbles being flung into the mud guards or the plastic trim around the fender.

Clocked92 · December 7, 2014

I was thinking about this too - I only get it sporadically once every few weeks, but do you guys having this sound have the plastic mud flaps?

I think whomever mentioned it's probably a rock being let loose and hitting the fender guard was right. I have the plastic mud flaps all around and after thinking about that comment I'll bet it's just rocks/pebbles being flung into the mud guards or the plastic trim around the fender.

That's a good point. I do have to OEM plastic mud flaps. Can't recall if I heard it before I put them on either. Maybe someone else can chime in.

It makes sense since the plastic ones are pretty rigid against the truck.

Kerrslight · December 10, 2014

I was thinking about this too - I only get it sporadically once every few weeks, but do you guys having this sound have the plastic mud flaps?

I think whomever mentioned it's probably a rock being let loose and hitting the fender guard was right. I have the plastic mud flaps all around and after thinking about that comment I'll bet it's just rocks/pebbles being flung into the mud guards or the plastic trim around the fender.

I don't have the mud flaps. Heard it again the other day pulling out of my driveway. I don't live on or near any kind of gravel road. Of course we all get rocks in our tires from time to time, but I hear the sound when I'm turning while I accelerate. I'm talking about 5mph or less. Who knows tho. I'm sure everything is fine...pesky little noises like that just bug me.