Wheel Hub/Bearings - Not Covered Under Warranty

[Sierra Jon]

So I have a '14 Sierra Z71 SLT CC 5.3L with 3.42's... currently have 48k miles.

 

Just about three weeks now I've been experiencing humming in the drivetrain. Starts at around 30 m.p.h. it's really loud at 45-50 and more quiet at 75 but still noticeable. Humming goes away when the weight of the truck is on the left side (moderate cornering).

 

Brought it in today and was told that it's one of my front wheel hubs and it's not covered under the powertrain warranty. I guess since 2010 hubs are no longer powertrain... Pissah

 

I'm contacting GM Customer Care to see if I can get them to cover the repair because I have a nearly new truck and the repair cost is 500 bucks. Something I wouldn't think GM would want their customers to experience.

 

I created this to see if anyone is having similar experiences... I know I saw some people who's dealerships have blamed their level kits for having to replace a hub but my ride height/suspension is totally stock.

 

Thanks all,

Sierra Jon

 

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[tnchevy]

Find a copy of the powertrain warranty, it will spell out what parts are covered and what is not. I would say bearings are considered a wear item and not covered.

[redwngr]

Wear item.

 

Especially at 48,000 miles.

[tbarn]

Wheel bearings are not covered under powertrain. They were covered in the original powertrain back in '07 '09 era. Not since '10

[DeePa]

Wouldn't you think that on 4x4 models they are indeed part of the drivetrain?

 

On 2wd models I can understand they're not likely to be covered as they aren't actually delivering any type of power.

 

Either way, that's way too soon for a hub to fail. I remember both on my 04 1500 sierra they went out at 90k and I was pissed about that too.

 

my 14 3.42 is in the shop now with a racket in the rear end...they're pulling it apart to see what's up. Too bad...35970 miles...

[SILVER SLED]

Definately not covered by warranty. Gotta love the sealed hub/bearing asm's that are maint free. Bearings rarely went bad back in the old days when it was routine maint to repack the bearings.

[pm26]

I had the front wheel hub bearings go loose on my '09 Chevy Impala at 75k miles and they were covered under 5 year/100k mile power train warranty. 2009 was the last year they covered bearings and hubs because evidently they elected to continue using the same crappy parts and instead of going to better quality hubs/bearings, it was a lot more advantageous to remove these from power train warranty coverage and have customer pay for replacement.

[Sierra Jon]

Exactly. Covered or not - we shouldn't be replacing anything except brakes, tires and wiper blades at 48k people.

 

The dealership was very good actually. They split the cost with me and GM Customer Care gave me another 100 bucks off the repairs.

 

I had the seat shims and the front bearings done for 225.00... So ultimately I'm satisfied but I shouldn't have been there in the first place.

 

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[Eddie 70]

I'm curious, do you still have stock size wheels and tires?

[pm26]

Just for comparison, I had to replace front wheel bearings on my 1999 Mazda 626 at 230k miles when they started making noise. And the rear ones were still good at 340k miles. 75k on Impala vs 230k miles on Mazda is a huge difference in quality. Both cars were front wheel drive with a V6 engine. And a 1998 Nissan Maxima front bearings started getting loose at 200k miles (not making noise yet). All three vehicles were bought new so I knew the history of repairs and that all wheel bearings were the originals. This just confirms that GM uses substandard quality parts on their vehicles in comparison to Japanese.

[Sierra Jon]

I'm curious, do you still have stock size wheels and tires?

Yes I do. I don't even have a level.

 

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[BuyAmericanIron]

Sierra, I agree your front wheel bearing assy should last longer than 48K, but that bearing is subject to a great deal of abuse. They are designed to run approximately 100,000 miles no matter the application. Some things that can shorten the life of the bearing are curbs, potholes, manufacturing defect, railroad tracks, and virtually any type of impact. For example, a side impact, i.e. sliding in the snow into a curb puts a great deal of stress where one or more ball bearings dimple the chrome lining in the race. This is where the chrome will start to fail over the next few thousand miles. Within 3 ~ 5,000 miles you are prone to start hearing a whirring sound or a growl as you turn and load the side of the bearing. It's unfortunate, but it happens. Not a big deal but inconvenient. Like others have posted, I believe the bearings are considered a wear item and not covered. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, maybe they can get some help from GM. Perhaps they will pay half or pick up the parts and you pick up the labor. What does it hurt to ask nicely?

[Sierra Jon]

Soooooo it looks like I'm having to do the other side now... In the shop now except I just put tires and a level on so I can't wait to hear that my tires caused my bearings to go.

 

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[TJay74]

On a FWD vehicle the hub bearing are part of the drivetrain, on a 4wd vehicle I would argue they are also part of the drivetrain as well. Though no matter if GM says no the dealer doesn't have a choice.

[Willyone]

Just for comparison, I had to replace front wheel bearings on my 1999 Mazda 626 at 230k miles when they started making noise. And the rear ones were still good at 340k miles. 75k on Impala vs 230k miles on Mazda is a huge difference in quality. Both cars were front wheel drive with a V6 engine. And a 1998 Nissan Maxima front bearings started getting loose at 200k miles (not making noise yet). All three vehicles were bought new so I knew the history of repairs and that all wheel bearings were the originals. This just confirms that GM uses substandard quality parts on their vehicles in comparison to Japanese.

 

Interesting how +,-25 years ago you'd see "made in Japan" and say to self.... nope, I'll pas on that. And quite often now days made in Japan is a good thing. Now we/manufacturers are using too much Chinese junk.

 

Considering what these trucks cost wheel bearings should be a warrantee item regardless of what GM says. fwiw, rear bearings in my '07 Sierra needed replacement at about 130,000 miles.