Scary Front End!

[fourwheelinfool]

2002 Chevrolet 2500HD Reg. Cab

6.0L 4L80 4.10 4X4 Long Bed

*Has some 2001 body parts due to early year manufacture.

 

Problem:

 

I started to hear a noise some time ago emanating from the front driver's side wheel area. It began only at high speeds but over time it moved down to lower cruising speeds, 60 MPH is about as low as it starts. Sounds like a cross between a "shhiieep" and a "click", something like a "chirp" if that makes any sense. It happens with no uniform rhythm. Does not appear to be caused by bumps in the road and similarly does not correspond to anything happening during driving (ie: accel, decel, etc...).

 

I say it's scary because it doesn't sound normal, not a panel squawk, I know that. It makes me feel like the wheel is about to fly off and send me for a roll in the median.

 

Back Story:

 

About a year ago I was involved in an accident that practically tore my front wheel off (driver's side). The DEALERSHIP that I took it to did CRAP for service. I unfortunately only found this out about a month after I got the truck back.

 

1st Problem... I noticed one day that the arms were riding on the bump stop... torsion key adjustment bolt was way off. So I made adjustments with a 3500 as reference and got an alignment.

 

2nd Problem... Did my rotors/pads over only to discover that on that wheel's caliper the slider bolts were finger-tight and that the CALIPER bolts were not torqued down AT ALL. From the top of my head, I think these are supposed to be at 140 ft-lbs(?).

 

3rd Problem... Heard a strange rattle one day... fender bolt had fallen out of the panel and was clinking around in the space under the door hinges (just aft of the wheel wells, where the thin foam is).

 

4th Problem... That caliper is now LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. Idiot light alarmed me one day that fluid was low, sure enough the new caliper they installed was leaking from the piston. I topped off the fluid and has remained at a good level for about a month now until I can do something about it.

 

5th Problem... The NOISE starts, as described above. It's not loud but can easily be heard.

 

Now those are my problems as they were encountered. Unfortunately I found out about all these issues so spread out, I never researched my options in regard to the dealer. Please help me diagnose the cause of the noise!

 

Thanks.

[silveradocoa]

the fluid leak could be saturating the pads, also jack the wheel up and see if theres any play in it in any direction. also check the pad wear. and of course. get that leank fixed NOW

[Reming1100]

Recomend checking the Hubs. Sounds similar to what mine was doing. Starts out as a slight tick and humm than progresses to a thump and squeal overtime. Replaced the left and than approx 1 month later had to do the right. There pretty common and not all that bad to replace.