grinding noise.

davis · January 27, 2017

I don't want to commit to wheel bearing assembly replacement until I can feel a bit more warm and fuzzy that this is my issue. Your help would be appreciated on what you think my issue is!

2007 suburban 1500 4WD. Front end I think. Seem to happen only in cold weather (close to and below freezing) and lower speeds. Seemingly random. Turning or hitting bumps don't seem to trigger it. It started off as a rubbing sound and I looked all over for a cause but could not find anything. Sometimes when starting to drive it will start with rubbing sound, but quickly get to a very loud cringe worthy grinding that can be 'felt' inside the vehicle.

What is not convincing me it is wheel hub assembly is the grinding sound rhythm does not increase or decrease with a change in speed. It's consistent rhythm. It reminds me of gear grinding rather then rubbing grinding.

Is it possible my starter/solenoid is defective or shorting out / engaging while driving?

Once weather warms above 15C or so it goes away. Once vehicle warms up at highway speeds, the issue goes away.

Any advice would be helpful.

Andy Seibel · January 27, 2017

your description doesn't sound like wheel bearings to me. That noise doesn't go away with temperature/ speed.

Does it occur when you are sitting still or only when moving? can you try the screwdriver stethoscope to narrow it down? also if you are able to record a video with sound, someone will surely recognize it. though I don't even know how to post videos, so good luck with that.

sdeeter19555 · January 27, 2017

Could have a rock stuck in the brake caliper/rotor assembly. I have had this happen a few times, the one time I was lucky enough to have a rock peel the ABS sensor off the hub.

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davis · January 27, 2017

gear grinding noise seems to come from font end somewhere. Turn down volume first 13 seconds (sorry about the wind noise!) .

So of course this video contradict's my previous statement that bumps don't trigger it. The sound only happens while hitting bumps, both left and right tires, in the video. But not on every bump.... and not necessarily the biggest ones.

Turn volume back up to hear it at 15 seconds, 28,1:04, 1:15-1:25 and 2:26

davis · January 27, 2017

I just checked my two front tires and no wobble or play in them. I checked on of my rear tires / emergency brakes and nothing seemed to be amiss there. I still have to check the other rear wheel.

davis · January 30, 2017

bump.... any insight from the awesome wealth of experience on this site would be greatly appreciated.

NEFisher11 · January 30, 2017

I watched your video and from what I heard I would say it sounded like your starter engaging.

Andy Seibel · January 30, 2017

I watched your video and from what I heard I would say it sounded like your starter engaging.

you know it does sound like that grinding when you turn the key and the engine's already running. starter solenoid shot? or loose wires?

davis · January 31, 2017

I located my starter (tight spot!) an saw that the ground cable was installed so that it crossed the power wire. I've had the truck 4yrs but bought it from someone who had it for 5-6yrs.

tight spot but I did manage to loosen the ground cable, and reroute it in a way so it would not cross the power wire, and even used a zip-tie to tie it back to prevent it from 'falling' on the power wire on bumps and/or if covered with ice and snow. I'm thinking maybe the wires rubbed enough over time against each other they could have exposed a bit of wire and was shorting out? I would have figured it would trip a fuse rather then engage the solenoid, but heck since I was under there I figure it would at least be preventative maintenance. I also took the time and wrapped the cables with that emergency plumber's leak fix 'tape' to ensure better wire isolation.

about 45mins of driving this evening an nothing has happened yet, but, after taking the video a couple of days ago, and driving this morning before the fix the issues seems to have lessened - only a bit of minor grinding right after video was taken, and this evening only some rubbing sounds from time to time. so hard to tell if the 'fix' worked or not. I'll give it a few days.

The rubbing sound may have been a separate issue simply happening at the same time as I did get a bit of rubbing sound while driving tonight... while under the truck re-routing the starter wires, I did notice the CV boot on passenger side has a slit in it, so presumably dirt, water, etc. has been getting in there for who knows how long. I'll post pictures soon. I'll have to look into this soon.

I'll also check back on forums in a week or two to give an update to let you all know if the grinding noise has gone away or returns.

davis · January 31, 2017

picture of damaged boot of passenger side:

https://s23.postimg.org/6sjzzl317/boot.jpg

As I reviewed pictures, I noticed what looks like to be an open section of my starter (at the gear end). Disregard the oil as sometimes I am a dummie and don't use a funnel when pouring in oil (oops!). Is this supposed to be open or covered with some type of plug? this is a view from the underside:

https://s23.postimg.org/s7v31coyz/starter.jpg

The 'driveshafts' (excuse my amateur lingo) from the 4WD gearcase on the front seems to show a bit of a gap on the passenger side. You can see where my oil pouring skills cleaned off an area showing shinny metal on passenger side. It's hard to see in the pictures, but it seems this 'gap' is smaller on the driver's side and no shinny metal showing (but no spilled oil either :-). Any concern from the experienced eyes on this forum?

driver's side:

https://s27.postimg.org/dyaidxqxf/drivers.jpg

passenger side:

https://s24.postimg.org/d02a8oflh/passenger.jpg

davis · January 31, 2017

Noise is back this morning... -11C

Any chance this could be related to the rip in the CV joint boot? How do I check to see if the CV drive shaft (joints) are bad and don't simply need a boot replacement?

jrow8162 · February 1, 2017

Is there a grease fitting on your CV Axles? Maybe try greasing them to see if that helps with the noise. Otherwise, I would just replace them. They are fairly cheap and most come with a lifetime warranty!

NEFisher11 · February 1, 2017

If the boot is ripped and you don't know for how long I would replace it with a new one.

txab · February 1, 2017

Replace the axle. You've slung all your grease out of the boot, evident by picture. The joint now has all kinds of trash in it. Replace the whole axle and move on

davis · February 2, 2017

okay, I will try this. $125 for the axle here up north and it seems like a job I can easily do. $65 for the hub assembly is also very cheap so I will change that out also while I have the side jacked up and the tools out.

I'll report back on how I make out with it.