2002 Silverado- Front End Noise

Smitty00Z71 · April 7, 2009

My 2002 silverado has a noise which seems like it's coming from the front end.....it's makes the same "roaring" sound as mud tires would make. Anyway.... after investigating I changed the one of the front wheel bearings thinking this was the cause. No luck. So I thought ok maybe it's just the tires roaring ( the pitch does change when speeds increase/decrease just like with tires)

I have a combo of brigestone and cooper all terran tires....not agressive mud tires, and the front tires were almost worn out. So today I got a completly new set of tires installed.... Sumtumo (spelling) all terrain tires.

Same exact sound with the new tires. What else could be making this sound?

jhm · April 9, 2009

My 2002 silverado has a noise which seems like it's coming from the front end.....it's makes the same "roaring" sound as mud tires would make. Anyway.... after investigating I changed the one of the front wheel bearings thinking this was the cause. No luck. So I thought ok maybe it's just the tires roaring ( the pitch does change when speeds increase/decrease just like with tires)

I have a combo of brigestone and cooper all terran tires....not agressive mud tires, and the front tires were almost worn out. So today I got a completly new set of tires installed.... Sumtumo (spelling) all terrain tires.

Same exact sound with the new tires. What else could be making this sound?

Was ALIGNMENT CHECKED? How were the tires wearing? There are many suspension parts that could be causing this. Did you get under and check tie rod ends, ball joints, anything loose or worn. Also there is the possibility you could have bent rim(s).

bill190 · April 9, 2009

Maybe you could get a microphone and tape recorder and try placing this in different spots under the hood. Some of these recorders/amplifiers/earphones will allow you to listen as it is being recorded.

Anyway move it around and see where it gets the loudest noise.

Also a paper towel tube when placed to the ear can be used to find the exact source of a noise. Hold one to your ear and point it toward the TV, then away. With your eyes closed, you will be able locate the TV (unless you have surround sound! ) Anyway maybe you could do the same with a microphone once you locate the general area of the noise? (Place microphone in paper towel tube and try pointing it at different things.)

REV353 · April 9, 2009

I have the same noise going on. I haven't dug into it yet, a friend thought a brake caliper hanging up, butt that should change with speed. I just drive it for now and wait for something to break, sounds stupid, butt it's like chasing a ghost. Mines a gmc 2500hd

Draenor · April 9, 2009

You could of changed the wrong wheel bearing.

BlackOut V8 · April 9, 2009

I had the same noise recently in my 1500 and it turned out to be the wheel bearings in both sides. It makes a humming noise noticable at city speed.

REV353 · April 10, 2009

The speed doesn't matter on mine, the noise stays the same, I do notice the noise changing on the type of road condition, but it's not a tire noise. I have decided to blame it on a noisy drive train

Smitty00Z71 · April 10, 2009

I have no idea what it could be. I know my tires make a little noise, but not that much.

it could be the other wheel bearing.... I may start there. I don't know what else could make that sound. Coming from the front end for sure.

Smitty00Z71 · April 21, 2009

You could of changed the wrong wheel bearing.

You would be correct, we have a winner! Just took the old wheel bearing, installed it on the other side......problem is gone!

2000DV4.8 · April 21, 2009

You could of changed the wrong wheel bearing.

You would be correct, we have a winner! Just took the old wheel bearing, installed it on the other side......problem is gone!

That would've been my guess. Glad you got it figured out.

jdr7785 · October 16, 2011

By the way, I bought a used truck over the summer and it had this exact problem. I searched and searched online to find the answer to why my truck was making this noise, and I could never find it. That is until this thread. I called the dealer and they took a look at it and told me this was the problem. They actually fixed it, and told me that it would have cost $650. So thanks!