2021 GMC Sierra at4 diesel noise , tires or driveline

Weimrunner · January 2, 2021

I just traded my ‘19 at4 with 20” tires for a 2021 at4 diesel with 18” tires with Goodyear dura tracs on it. During the test drive I noticed what I thought was some tire noise due to the aggressive tread but didn’t think much about it at the time. Well we struck a deal and headed home 2 hours away. The noise was more pronounced on the way home and in town now and settles in around 30 mph and seems to drive out of it as you increase speed. But when you slow back down it hangs in there til you stop. Now the hard part is describing it but sounds like a whirling noise or uneven tread slapping the road and coming from the tires. Or could it be bearings? Truck has 350 miles on it. I have been researching the dura tracks and people say they are pretty quite. The noise is very noticeable in the cab. I will be making an appointment to see what service says but was wondering if anyone else has come across this problem.

OliverDennis52 · January 2, 2021

I have the exact same truck (2021 AT4 with the 3.0) and notice the same thing. I attribute it to the tires. Slower speeds, especially when slowing down, seem to create the loudest tread noise. Different road surfaces can also create different noise levels as well. I never thought the duratracs were "quiet" and I drove quite a few of them before buying. I'm considering getting a take off wheel/tire set with less aggressive rubber for summer. Let us know if the dealer says anything different.

redwngr · January 2, 2021

My 3.0 doesn't produce the noises you are describing, which suggests tires rather than powertrain/driveline.

It would be interesting to know for sure.

Maybe the dealer has a factory 'take-off' wheel package that could be tried for comparison purposes?

Mercracing · January 2, 2021

When mines delivered I’ll have the factory street tires and some Bridgestone tires to try out, I’ll let ya know.

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redwngr · January 2, 2021

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Edited January 2, 2021 by redwngr

AJMBLAZER · January 3, 2021

Sounds like mud tire noise. As you get up to speed the other noises become more noticeable and the tire noise fades into the background. The Duratracs being a less aggressive and road friendly design help limit it.

I’ve had extreme off-road tires that would about shake your fillings out at low speeds and then howl at the moon as you went faster.

Weimrunner · January 3, 2021

Thanks for the heads up info. After I get it through the dealer and/or tire shop I will let you know the outcome. Just a bad pet peeve of mine. Expensive truck with loud road noise.

‘thanks again for your input.

eckseleven · January 4, 2021

Most likely tires. I have the same truck and tires and noticed the noise on the test drive. These tires were not the set up I would have liked but the I worked out a deal as well. Since I have to deal with snowy winters, I may end up using the wheels/tires for winter and getting a quieter summer package.

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Weimrunner · January 9, 2021

Have a appointment set up this Friday and will update.
Why only between 25 to 35 mph do these tires rumble really loud. Why not at higher speeds. That is the most confusing thing to me. Do they crown and flatten out? It is just bizarre to me.

AJMBLAZER · January 9, 2021

On 1/3/2021 at 5:30 AM, AJMBLAZER said:

Sounds like mud tire noise. As you get up to speed the other noises become more noticeable and the tire noise fades into the background. The Duratracs being a less aggressive and road friendly design help limit it.

I’ve had extreme off-road tires that would about shake your fillings out at low speeds and then howl at the moon as you went faster.

blckblt · January 11, 2021

Air pressure in the tires?

Weimrunner · January 14, 2021

41psi per tire. Tried 38 and 44. All pressure checked and filled when cold. Door label states 41psi cold.

blckblt · January 14, 2021

13 hours ago, Weimrunner said:

41psi per tire. Tried 38 and 44. All pressure checked and filled when cold. Door label states 41psi cold.

at those pressure settings that shouldn't be a problem.

I will say that my duratracs have some road noise. I have always run a similar tire (duratracs, general grabber ATX, BFG KO2, Goodyear MTR) so I am used to some level of road noise. I will say that the duratracs seem to have gotten louder in the past few months (just under 11k miles on them) which I believe is normal for these tires. I have rotated them twice.

Weimrunner · January 15, 2021

So earlier this week I stopped at our local tire shop and took the shop foreman for a drive. Couldn’t wait for my apt. Set for today. He said it is the tires. So I ordered in a set of Falken wildpeak ht02’s in and they got installed yesterday. Boy what a difference. Took them for a 40 mile run. No noise and they averaged 26.5 mpg. This is 2 plus mpg more than the duratracs did for me in 600 miles. These I felt were the best value as I priced Bridgestone duelers and Michelin’s which came in a lot higher.
I want to thank all of you for your input.