New sound in front end drive system

[sgiangregorio]

Ford - NO WAY!, Dodge - NOPE!, Chevy (GM) - the lesser of 3 evils it seems.

 

Ok, my truck is starting to drive me crazy with nit picky things. To the point of my wife "suggesting" that I should trade it for a newer Yukon with a warranty, as long as my payments don't change. ARGH! I know this stuff is *normal* in terms of the items appearing, but it certainly doesn't reduce the frustration.

 

Anyway, here's the summary:

 

Last week, I took my truck (2002 Tahoe Z71 w/ 52K miles) to the dealer because the 4x4 system wasn't engaging the front wheels. They said they found a bent washer on the acctuator that prevented the plunger from engaging. They fixed it, so they say. They also dropped the tranny pan and changed the filter and fluid (not a full flush). They lubed the chassis as well.

 

The day I took it in, I tested it, and it seemed fine. The next day, I engaged the 4x4 system, and it didn't feel like it was engaged. Just like before I brought it in. Rear tires would spin, the front, nothing. And steering was easy, not like the front end was engaged (no tightness when reaching the steering lock). However, I have not been able to reproduce this since that one time. Ok, chaulk this one up as a fluke...

 

BUT...now I have a front end noise that I haven't had before. It sounds as if it's mostly coming from the driver's side, and it sounds like drivetrain noise. It's best described as a howl, groan or low-pitched whistle. Kind of like a harmonic balance/echo sound or something. It's most pronounced between 35-39 mph and 62-66 mph. It's there whether I'm in 4x4 high, Auto, or 2wd.

 

I recall hearing this noise, or one very similar, when engaged in 4 auto or 4wd high before, but never in 2wd mode. And, I only recall hearing it in 4 Auto when turning.

 

This vehicle has already had the front-end bearings replaced under warranty, and I'm concerned they are going again and that's what this is. That was an expensive job had I needed to pay for it. This does, however, sound a bit different. The bearings sounded like an out of balance tire or something and it was speed sensitive in terms of the noise being consistent with the speed of the wheel's rotation. The slower the vehicle was going, the more time between the "noise."

 

Here's my issue/concern: The truck is long out of warranty now, and the dealer is 40 minutes away. Taking it in means a day off from work everytime. Does this sound like something I should have looked at, and is it possible they caused this somehow by fixing or working on what I mentioned?

 

I can just imagine what the tech will say when he test drives the vehicle, and it will be one of two things:

 

1) "I don't hear anything, that's normal." or 2) "That's just tire noise." Both of which I know not to be the case as it's new and consistent.

 

Just a royal PIA. Thanks!

[sgiangregorio]

Well, here's an update, something must be wrong.

 

While driving home on the highway, in 2WD, going about 65, I hit the gas after letting off a bit...

 

I heard a loud sound from the front end: "CLUNK" I could feel it too. I immediately let off the gas. Then more gas:

 

"CLUNK" again. I had to speed up or get out of the way, so one more time:

 

"CLUNK"

 

I thought the wheel was ready to fall off. Then it didn't do it again for about 15 miles, when I turned into my neighborhood. As I hit the gas after coming around a corner

 

"CLUNK".

 

It almost sounded like the driveline clunk thats common, but it was in the front end.

 

Does this help diagnose? Should I not drive the truck?

 

Could it be a CV joint? Tie rod? Axle Shaft? Bearings?

 

Oh brother.

 

Thanks

[RyanbabZ71]

hmm kinda seems like what my impala is experiencing. When turning, accelerating from a stop, or backing up i get a loud pop noise from the front end (and no this isnt the steering shaft clunk I also have that in the impala and this is definitely from the front end i think it may be because of the engine cradle though there is a TSB for the cars on this and wouldnt pertain to the trucks)

[sgiangregorio]

Sounds similar. I just know the dealers gonna say they don't hear anything. And since my warranty is over, I don't want a fishing expedition for a fix.

 

I've tried calling the dealer to get it back in there, but somethings up with the phone lines. All numbers into them are dead. Maybe it's a sign.

[sgiangregorio]

Well, I talked to the dealer. They said the item they fixed was in the front end, not the underside middle of the vehicle like I thought. They had to disassemble the axle, fix it, and reassemble. And that's exactly where the noise/problem is now.

 

So back it goes tomorrow morning...We'll see.

[sgiangregorio]

Sounds fishy to me...$500 for a worn bearing carrier they say. Only 50K miles, I'm not impressed. This is the second time bearings have been worked on in the front end. Also, the absolute coincidence of this problem occurring immediately after they worked on the vehicle is something I really am having a hard time getting over.

[sgiangregorio]

Well, for anyone following this, I'll update you with the outcome. As this left a bad taste in my mouth, since the truck made no noise when I brought it in, and it would be the second time bearing work was required on this truck in the last year,

 

I called the dealer's service writer back and talked through it with him (the numerous repairs, the repair being done without authoization, etc). I got the Chevy 800 number from him and called it in so they could open a case and consider assisting, as I am beginning to lose faith in their product.

 

In the end, either GM or the dealership covered the work. I think GM did, as that's what the serivce manager said, but the GM rep said the dealer was covering it, which doesn't make sense. But to me, my cost was 0 for all the work. It was a the carrier bearing that was just "starting" to go according to the dealer, but it wasn't necessary to replace it. They said when it starts to get some play in them, the noise starts. They showed me the bearings too, they did look fine. But with the new part, the noise is gone. Just some tire noise as they rotated the tires on the house too.

 

Personally, I think that's why someone felt it was right to cover the work. They replaced the part, which wasn't even necessary to do, never provided an estimate to me, and never got an ok to do the work. NH law requires an estimate be given on all repair work and approval given before work can begin, and extra work can only be done if it's no more than 10% over the estimate.

 

So, I guess it all worked out, for me. And thanks to Chevy or the dealer for stepping up, but it sounds like someone did something out of procedure anyway, so good thing I stepped up, I was about to just pay the bill at first...

 

So my fingers are crossed that nothing else major goes wrong...

 

Thanks for listening.