Pulling my hair out, Goodyear wranglers..Loud?

Shawn5800 · March 30, 2016

So, i have been pulling my hair out with my recently acquired 07 Sierra. It came with Wranglers, stock size. It has a very distinguishable whirring/helicopter rotor sound once i reach 35 mph or higher, only on what seems to be the driver side front.I was convinced that it was a wheel bearing because the sound would change tone when i went over humps in the road, indicating to me that the bearing was having pressure let off slightly causing sound change.

-So i installed a brand new Timken bearing, the sound still occurs.

-I dug a little deeper and scope out the pads/rotors. I noticed that the pad on the piston side of had been worn much more than the floating side, also..the rotor was completely destroyed.

-I just installed premium grade pads and rotors on it, the sound seems to have quieted a bit but it is definitely still there when just coasting with no throttle.

-Does the worn pad on the piston side indicate that the piston is sticking? The slide pins are moving perfectly by hand, they do not hang at all.

-Even if the caliper was hanging a little on one side, would that cause this sound? i never hear it when braking.

- I have also swapped both front tires. Sound still occurs.

I am trying to convince myself that this issue is just loud tires. Does anyone else have any ideas? It consistently occurs at 35mph no matter what. I am not one to bring my vehicles to the shop but after throwing $300 at this, I am thinking I am just creating more stress on myself.

Thanks guys.

cjb321 · March 30, 2016

try swapping the rear tires onto the front, the fronts may be cupped.

Shawn5800 · March 30, 2016

Will do, I had attempted to try that a few weeks ago but I couldn't figure out a good way to jack stand one end and lift the other without the truck teetering back and forth..which is just downright scary.

jordan.haskin · March 30, 2016

Will do, I had attempted to try that a few weeks ago but I couldn't figure out a good way to jack stand one end and lift the other without the truck teetering back and forth..which is just downright scary.

Jack the rear up, put stands under axle, then just jack the front up in the center and keep the jack there while changing tires or put stands under if you wish. With the rear end up already it won't roll anywhere

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

Shawn5800 · March 30, 2016

Ah, thanks for the advice. I will try that this week.

Jay P · March 30, 2016

Is it 4wd? Which wheel bearing did you replace, front? If it's 4wd it could be front diff or a front axel shaft (bad CV joint).

Jay

Shawn5800 · April 1, 2016

It is 4WD. I Checked all the boots last night and I could not find a damn thing wrong. No grease slinging anywhere, no tears. I also rotated the rear tires to front, the sound still persists.

I'm getting my ass whooped. All I keep thinking back to is that brake pad that had worn unevenly...is the caliper piston not retracting all the way and causing a sound as the speed increases? I rotated the tire by hand and you can definitely hear the pads rubbing the rotor but not enough for it to stop it by hand.

The sound always starts at 35mph and starts to "fade" from other road noise by about 50mph.

Silverado4x4 · April 1, 2016

When sound starts ride your brake for about 3 seconds and see if sound goes away that will lead to the brakes, have you checked the rear pads? Also check the "U" joints in the driveshaft, "U" joints will sometimes makes that sound at that speed. How many miles on the tires? They will also make that noise when getting worn, AT tires are famous for more noise as they wear.

Spurshot · April 4, 2016

I don't think it's the brakes making noise, but you should change those pins. If the pads wore that asymetrically, there is almost assuredly a very minute step worn in the pins. That will cause it to happen again.

Regarding the noise, put it on a lift and run it in 4wd. Go around the truck listening for a bad bearing, CV joint, or U joint. A tire shop that does maintenance can do that. There are also bearings in the front differential on each side.

elamigowapo · April 5, 2016

Do you have any news? My truck seems to have the same symptoms. Except mine makes the noise after 65 mph. I already spent a little over a grand in parts and labor and noise still persists. Not really a shake or vibrations but more of a noise. Im thinking it might be the rotors or tires... hopefully not drive train.

Shawn5800 · April 5, 2016

Hey guys,

So, I do have good news. The problem is finally gone, but in a serendipitous way. I was browsing craigslist and found a set of 2015 wheels and tires and couldn't pass the deal up. Got them home, mounted them and drove it down the road. Without really thinking about it, I got about a mile down a road and realized that this sound was completely gone..and I mean COMPLETELY gone. This is the quiet truck I had been hoping for since I bought it.

Even though I rotated all my old tires, there must have been issues with all of them..or the wheels had some serious damage I couldn't see...but anyways. Thanks guys for all your help! I appreciate it.

Do you have any news? My truck seems to have the same symptoms. Except mine makes the noise after 65 mph. I already spent a little over a grand in parts and labor and noise still persists. Not really a shake or vibrations but more of a noise. Im thinking it might be the rotors or tires... hopefully not drive train.

elamigowapo · April 5, 2016

Im glad you fixed your problem thats my next step getting new tires. Symptoms are exactly the same what lead me to not believe it wasnt the tires was that I rotates them and still. Very strange. Guess it might be the vehicles overall aerodynamics, weight distribution etc.