2002 Bravada AWD Rumble in the front end

[zombe1961]

I have 2002 SUV Bravada of about 98K miles. I take good care of it, e.g., oil changes every 3 months and other major recommended maintenance works. About 2 weeks ago, I started to hear humming (or resonating) sound at certain speeds -- at 20 to 70 mph a the humming gets subdued a little.

Humming remains the same even if gear shifted to neutral while driving, and gets more audible when:
1. the road curves towards left.
2. I’m on the driver side seat (from the passenger sidet less audible).
3. tire pressure is Normal!.
I replaced the passenger CV Axel but still there .
Is it the hub if so how do you check it??

[discnik]

To check if it is a wheel bearing:

1. Jack left front of vehicle up enough to get tire off the ground. PLACE A JACK STAND UNDER VEHICLE !

2. Grasp top and botom of tire. Try to wiggle towards and away from you. i.e. top towards you and bottom away from you and vice versa. If you feel any movement it is possible that you have a bad bearing or worn hub or both.

[zombe1961]

Is that the only way. What else could it be!

[zombe1961]

I tried jacking up the car and wiggled the tire top to bottom(Nothing) any other way to check? Any other ideas?

[discnik]

Is it possible the sound is from the rear of the vehicle ? Is there any shimmying in the steering wheel when turning left ? Was there any work done to the vehicle prior to the noise occuring ?

[Chris Stewart]

It's likely one of the front hubs. When my '97 made more noise veering to the right, it was the passenger side front hub. Replacing it stopped the noise.

[zombe1961]

No work done befor it started. It just started. I don't think it is in the rear of the car. How long is it drivable?

[zombe1961]

I had a friend look at it today and he thought it was rear end related.
Possable u-joint. Any ideas. He said that because of the all wheel drive it could feel and sound like the front end because they are connected.
This problem is still present when car is in neutral!!

Originally Posted by zombe1961

I have 2002 SUV Bravada of about 98K miles. I take good care of it, e.g., oil changes every 3 months and other major recommended maintenance works. About 2 weeks ago, I started to hear humming (or resonating) sound at certain speeds -- at 20 to 70 mph a the humming gets subdued a little.

Humming remains the same even if gear shifted to neutral while driving, and gets more audible when:
1. the road curves towards left.
2. I’m on the driver side seat (from the passenger sidet less audible).
3. tire pressure is Normal!.
I replaced the passenger CV Axel but still there .
Is it the hub if so how do you check it??

[discnik]

As Chris stated could be a hub problem. I found this in one of my resources: TSB 04-02-32-007, Groan, moan, vibration noise at low speed turning manuevers. Fix is a new steering gear P/N 88965365, VIN,s prior to 52123375. ( The last eight of the vin). Do not know if this applies to your situation.

[zombe1961]

It was (DRUM ROLL) Hub and Bearing with a little cv axel thrown in for good measur. Thanks for all your help!!!!

[Chris Stewart]

Thanks for the update, which side was it?

[zombe1961]

It was the passenger side.

[Chris Stewart]

That's the side that get's changed most...wonder why?
Thanks for the update.

[karlmarx]

I had the exact same thing done to mine back in August on the passengers side. Problem is that last time I took it in for an oil change they found that the CV boot and the axel needed to be replaced AGAIN. Luckily I had it done at a Midas and it's under warranty, but it's worrisome that the problem was fixed then came back a few months later. Keep an eye on it!