Very unnerving sound...

What in the hell can this be?? Just new today a low grumble when in motion. Not the engine, all gauges check. This sound, it's constant unless I am at a complete stop, a lower sound than the engine running. Hmmmm, there has been a putter sound for a while now, was told that was an exaust leak. That sound I thought sounded like the bolts on the front fan hitting something, cuz that happened before, but so mechanic said it was an exaust leak. That a very faint putter sound. So what have I got left? Mmmm, something front end, I have a tiny clunk when breaking and taking off. It doesnt seem to be related to the usual stuff I've already had happen. Breaks are fine, tires wearing evenly, engine doesnt skip a beat, temp good, isnt the sound of low steering fluid cuz I know that one. Could where ever an exaust leak be finally break loose? I know diesel mechanics but who looks at the wheels and shocks and stuff? Just sounds like something in addition to the engine, not tire on pavement hum but something lower. Sort of surrounds you, windows up it is very faint. Doesnt affect anything either, that I can tell bt is sure freaking me out. Any ideas? Muffler? I do have a vibration noise on and off with the muffler. The best I can describe it is a low constant noise while I'm driving and it's there going slow and fast. More audible with the windows open. All I know is I dont wanna die in that truck. Been under it before and other than old leak stains, all I've ever seen is dirt in my eye. What kinda shop does shocks and wheel stuff? What can an exhaust leak do to me? Not even a vibration to go with this noise. I just dont know, this is new.

What in the hell can this be?? Just new today a low grumble when in motion. Not the engine, all gauges check. This sound, it's constant unless I am at a complete stop, a lower sound than the engine running. Hmmmm, there has been a putter sound for a while now, was told that was an exaust leak. That sound I thought sounded like the bolts on the front fan hitting something, cuz that happened before, but so mechanic said it was an exaust leak. That a very faint putter sound. So what have I got left? Mmmm, something front end, I have a tiny clunk when breaking and taking off. It doesnt seem to be related to the usual stuff I've already had happen. Breaks are fine, tires wearing evenly, engine doesnt skip a beat, temp good, isnt the sound of low steering fluid cuz I know that one. Could where ever an exaust leak be finally break loose? I know diesel mechanics but who looks at the wheels and shocks and stuff? Just sounds like something in addition to the engine, not tire on pavement hum but something lower. Sort of surrounds you, windows up it is very faint. Doesnt affect anything either, that I can tell bt is sure freaking me out. Any ideas? Muffler? I do have a vibration noise on and off with the muffler. The best I can describe it is a low constant noise while I'm driving and it's there going slow and fast. More audible with the windows open. All I know is I dont wanna die in that truck. Been under it before and other than old leak stains, all I've ever seen is dirt in my eye. What kinda shop does shocks and wheel stuff? What can an exhaust leak do to me? Not even a vibration to go with this noise. I just dont know, this is new.

hub wheel bearings will make growl sounds when moving. most noticable 15-40MPH. as to who can do this type work and checking make sure the repair shop has done this before. make sure they know the proper torque required.

with exhaust leaks. these must be repaired. if the pipe is sound but has joint leaks high temp tape/sealer can be used. if the pipe/muffler is worn and rusted replace the worn out pieces or replace the entire system .

if you beath in exhaust gases you will have health issues.

Thanks J Cat, are there any other symptoms of bad wheel bearings? Is there maintainance or greasing they need regularly? Would they make a sound like your tires were rolling on gravel? I have a diesel shop I go to, but thats only for the engine. I dont want to annoy them with the other stuff. Then there is my 1/2 price guy, works out of his own shop guy... got busted having a girlfriend by his pregnant wife and thrown out of the house. For now he's living his 29 year old girlfriend dream, but he's got 7 kids and a wife who is due any day. I think he'll be back. And what about those muffler shops? Are they like the oil changers and only have 18 year olds working for them? There is a minute muffler close by. Too bad I wasnt the kind of girl who goes for my 1/2 price guy with 7 kids advances, might have not had a worry in the world today. Oh wait a minute... I'd probably have to worry bout the 300 lb 6'4" father of my own 3 kids. Who always said he knew the reason for the 1/2 prices. I thought he was just saying that to piss me off.

Thanks J Cat, are there any other symptoms of bad wheel bearings? Is there maintainance or greasing they need regularly? Would they make a sound like your tires were rolling on gravel? I have a diesel shop I go to, but thats only for the engine. I dont want to annoy them with the other stuff. Then there is my 1/2 price guy, works out of his own shop guy... got busted having a girlfriend by his pregnant wife and thrown out of the house. For now he's living his 29 year old girlfriend dream, but he's got 7 kids and a wife who is due any day. I think he'll be back. And what about those muffler shops? Are they like the oil changers and only have 18 year olds working for them? There is a minute muffler close by. Too bad I wasnt the kind of girl who goes for my 1/2 price guy with 7 kids advances, might have not had a worry in the world today. Oh wait a minute... I'd probably have to worry bout the 300 lb 6'4" father of my own 3 kids. Who always said he knew the reason for the 1/2 prices. I thought he was just saying that to piss me off.


before you go back to the 1/2 price guy you should get some condoms. just to be safe.

the noise your hearing sure sounds like a bad bearing in the hub. these are greased when assembled thats it. call the repair shops and ask if they have done this work with your vehicle. this is a common failure in areas that have ice melting corrosive chemicals. looking at the rear of the front hub bearing seal some times you can see it is all rusted out and having grease leakages over this area. removalof the wheel and caliper you can sometimes feel the the rotation is with ruffness[does not rotate smooth]this would be the bearings being with pits on the surface from rust.

Mufflers. if you want a good job done , a performance muffler shop usually has better installers with good welding skills to do this so it will outlast the vehicle using heavier guage rust resistant metal. just be sure to tell then not to weld it all together as one piece. make sure this can be disassembled so that the the transmission and or other work can be done with out the need of any cutting and re-welding.

Tiny clunk on stop and go sounds like a U-joint. The growl could be a front drive unit bearing or gear. I needed mine replaced on my '04 Yukon and '05 Suburban. That's the effect of constant all wheel drive. The '96 never made a peep.

So I got it into the shop. Our shop, jacked one front tire off the floor (passenger) no west east movement not north south, no movement in the rods. Let it down went to drivers side, no tie rod movment, no side to side movement (W-E) but I clearly felt movement top and bottom wise on that tire. It was tiny like 1/4" but it moved. Eye balled everything, dirt grease and old leak stains but nothing alarming. Let the truck down. Told the husband about it..... he goes out there. Jacks the whole front end up, no tire movement! The big guy couldnt move it. So he comes out and says, drivers lower ball joint "looks" like it could use replacing maybe, but he sees nothing. He then changes the oil, changes the fuel filter, got diesel all over the engine filling the fuel filter canister like he doesnt know to turn the key on and let the lift pump fill it. Slams the hood and says drive. Driving he doesnt hear a thing, and I wasnt sure if I did anymore. So I tell him maybe I need to take it some where. Got the big bullshit on that one, he said they'll have one look and decide everything needs to be replaced (cuz the whole truck does at 15 years old) and out will come his Visa... So he said he'll get ball joints, wheel bearings and what not, should do both sides while he's at it and do it all the right way- when he gets time. Says something will make noise, said I should notice things when turning, there will be something to warn me 5 seconds before or 5 days. Apparently nothing is gonna happen to me in that 3/4 ton suburban, hitting the ditch at the speed limit or lower - he promised me wont kill me, just gotta avoid poles, approaches, and semis.

Really? I think the case is, I've been driving that suburban for 14 years. I have always known when something is wrong. Even the diesel shop has commented on how I can pick out a problem when it is bearly yet detectable without a test. So I think there is something, making a noise no one else can hear and I'm just going to have to drive it until it gets a little worse so that the husband and the mechanics can hear or see it too. Been through the book (some chev part manual), took note of the symptoms - wandering in the steering, whining noise, pulling to the left or right, noise when turning, and or vibration. Guess I just gotta drive it more, and sooner or later something will show itself. really?