Bad Wheel Hub?

jtupper · August 14, 2006

First off, let me say that I love this site. I've learned more about my vehicle reading here than I ever could have imagined.

I have a 2000 Tahoe LT with the 5.3 and it's time for new tires, but I have some suspension issues I need to fix first. I have some cupping on the inside of the tires and a popping noise when turning sharp left and I don't want to ruin brand new tires. I was expecting to have to replace tie rods, ball joints, shocks, etc. The guy there told me that everything looked good except the drivers side wheel hub...said it was bad and is what was making the popping noise, but I'm not so sure. After reading here, I'm pretty sure that my intermediate shaft is making that noise, not the wheel hub assembly. How can you tell that the wheel hub is bad?

He also told me that the shocks are Billsteins (sp?) and were still good. This truck has 113k on the speedo. Shouldn't it be time to replace the shocks?

J45p3r · August 14, 2006

Well, when my wheel hub when bad, I knew it without a doubt. I jacked up the truck by the lower control arm and could wobble the tire all over the place. I'm sure there are different degrees of bad though.

rjirvine · August 14, 2006

I have the same popping noise and it's driving me crazy! It only happens at low speeds occasionally, like backing from a driveway. The steering wheel is smooth during the popping. I read a TSB on "popping noise" but it was for 03 and later versions....I don't think it's the steering column.

OnyxMAX · August 14, 2006

hub? 113k could be bearings in the hub but that should vibrate or make noise going strait or turning. cupped tires is shocks especialy if never replaced.

jack it up gab the tire at the top and bottom and push in with top hand and out with bottom hand back and forth if the tire doesn't move your ball joints and hub should be fine. if it does either your bearings or ball joints are wore out.

gonna assume it's 4wd and pooping on a turn is a wore out cv joint.

if you have tools or are ok spending a few $$ you can take the hub off and check the bearings by hand just need a socket big enough for the hub nut.

you can jounc test the shocks not 100% effective but can give a idea. get the front end going up and down then let go 2-3 bounces the shocks are good 4-5 mediocre more and their shot. 4-5 is prolly worth replaceing to.

jtupper · August 15, 2006

Thanks for the input guys. I'll jack it up and see if there's any play in it. I don't notice any noise when driving so that's why I questioned the wheel hub assembly. It's not a 4x4, so no CV joints.

I bought this truck used in 2002, so I don't know if the shocks were ever replaced. Are Bilstiens an OEM shock?

asepgrad98 · August 15, 2006

Are Bilstiens an OEM shock

not on your truck. OEM was Tenneco(monroe) i believe

luthor · June 26, 2007

Here is something that I have done when I had the same popping sound problem with my Mazda wheel hub assembly... Jack up the front end and rotate the wheels. If you can it hear it grinding on one side then you have found the bad bearing/hub assembly.

Another thing you can do to check is remove the assembly and rotate it free of the brake assembly to insure that it isn't the noise you heard during the first test. If it is bad you'll know as it should spin easily with little to no sound. Also if it is bad it will likely be dry rather than a bit greasy on the backside.

Removing the assembly is a fairly easy job.

Raise the front end.

Remove wheel.

Unbolt brake caliper and hang to the side with wire or a zip tie.

Wiggle the rotor off. Sometimes it is stuck a bit and needs some tapping with a rubber mallet.

Remove the ABS sensor from the assembly (one bolt)

Remove the axle nut (impact wrench recommended)

Remove the 3 bolts from the back of the assembly which hold it in place.

Wiggle the Hub assembly free. If it is stuck in place you can rethread the bolts so a half inch is exposed and tap them with the above mentioned mallet to free it.

Installation is the reverse of removal

I can't remember the torque specs off the top of my head.

I believe the axle nut is 175 ft/lbs

And the hub assembly was at 60-80 ft/lbs

Don't trust those numbers though check for yourself... Try also to check if it was your front coil spring... Bad coil spring could also cause a popping sound... If so, put a rubber cover around the coils per a tsb and see how it goes.. Good luck!!!!