weird noise in front end, brakes/steering etc.

[dhspring]

My son has a 2000 Silverado 5.3L and occassionally it makes a weird grinding noise or vibration somewhere in the front end, either steering column, brake rotors, or something vibrating metal on metal or against something. It happens mostly when backing out of a driveway and pulling forward, it only lasts a second or two then goes away. I've tried to replicate in a parking lot back and forth with the wheels turned every which way, but we can't make it happen it does it intermittently. Whatever it is it doesn't sound good and I don't want it to linger and damage something. Has anyone seen a similar occurrence or offer any advice on this, thanks a million.

[Sonny01]

Is it a buzzing noise like maybe the ABS brake system is kicking in? Are the brakes effected when this happens. Has it ever happened going say 5mph or less and you can't stop?

[dhspring]

I'm not sure, it could be ABS kicking in, but the other part not being able to stop has not happened to my knowledge. I'll do more investigating. The only times I've heard it, the sound is there for about one second then it's gone.

[Sonny01]

If you hear a buzz and the pedal vibrates that is a problem with an ABS sensor on one of the front bearing hubs. It only happens at about 5mph and under but you must be slowing to a stop with the brake on . If you aren't pushing on the brake when it happens then it not the ABS and you are somewhat lucky. I have had major ABS problems with my 45k mile 2000 silverado k1500 5.3. I would be more then willing to pass on any advice, shortcuts, etc that I have experienced but for the most part everything I have learned has come from right here on the forum.

[dhspring]

Thanks Sonny, I will appreciate any advice you have if this turns out to be ABS related. I've found you can solve a lot of problems using this board compared to taking to a dealer, it's really nice to have.

[Sonny01]

When I take my truck in to the dealer and tell them whats wrong and how to fix it they still don't have a clue. I have saved probably around two grand using this forum from doing it myself and what the dealer wants.

[dhspring]

Absolutely, I never go to the dealer if I can do it myself, I'd rather have a root canal, they stick it to you big time and figure that my money grows on a tree in the back yard, they give you a bill for $800 and don't even flinch, like here dude, here's your bill and it's "only" 800 bucks.

[Digger03]

I am currently experiancing the EXACT problem as you so well decribe below Sonny. My truck is a 1999 Silverado 5.3 Z71 ext cab. with 60k mi. I bought it used in April of this year and first noticed this buzz and pedal vibration a month or so ago. It happens at random, below 5mph exactly as you discribed it. Were you able to find a solution?

Originally Posted by Sonny01

If you hear a buzz and the pedal vibrates that is a problem with an ABS sensor on one of the front bearing hubs. It only happens at about 5mph and under but you must be slowing to a stop with the brake on . If you aren't pushing on the brake when it happens then it not the ABS and you are somewhat lucky. I have had major ABS problems with my 45k mile 2000 silverado k1500 5.3. I would be more then willing to pass on any advice, shortcuts, etc that I have experienced but for the most part everything I have learned has come from right here on the forum.

[Sonny01]

First, I unplugged my ABS sensor that is a wire coming out of the wheel hub and has a plug in the engine bay just behind the wheel. You can see it by turning your wheels all the way left or right and looking behind the tire. I then plugged in a voltmeter using the AC range and lifted the wheel off the ground and then spun the wheel. 350mv is the bottom threshold so anything below is bad and above is good. My left was 125mv and right was 380mv. You can take the caliper and rotor off, take the sensor off and clean it and the rust from under it being careful not to let anything in the little hole the sensor came out of. Or, you can do what I did after a cleaning lasted about a month and replace the whole hub wheel assembly. They come from the dealer for $212.00 with a new sensor but I know a dealer in Texas that sells them for $145.00 delivered. 866 899 6185 is their phone number and Jason is the man. Let me know if this helps.
Sonny

[jumpingjack66]

I chose to just have dealer clean my abs sensors. truck had to little milage for the hubs to be bad. Anyways things are fine now. I live in the mountains of WV and we have alot of dirt roads. The dealer had the major hard on to replace hubs before they had even looked at it, and i put the kabosh on that plan. You KNow yourndealer is lying to you and running up a bill when the service guys and managers pout when you tell them no...JJ

[Digger03]

Thanks. I reported the problem to the dealer as soon as it happened. Of course they said it was working fine. Thanks for loading me with some firepower... I'll inform them what thier options are.

[jumpingjack66]

digger03 :The dealer is going to try to concentrait on your abs worning light. He is going to ask " does the abs light ever come on when its doing this?" you will probably say no, then the reply will be "we"ll checvk for codes" then after they have it for a day they will say "no codes and we drove it with no probs" cant figure it out youll have to bring it back if it does it again". Secound possable statement from the dealer is "It has to be the hubs they must be worn out!" They will say this without even looking at the truck and ofcourse yours is the very first truck this has ever had this problem so they are baffled. Truth is, besides the numerous TSB's released on these trucks none of this is new to anybody, let alone unheard of. The ABS light does not come on when my truck did this, and that was the dead givaway,plus if your hubs are going bad youwill probably atleast hear some baring noise or have handling probs.The hubs and sensors just needed cleaning and i must note that niether ford or dodge is having the abs failure rate of GM trucks....This is what dicusts me most about GM and there dealers shops. Instead of dealers standing up to help there customers and force GM to permenetly fix these probs they have begun using it as a way to increase revenue in there shops. " It's the first time we've ever seen this happen on a truck" God i hate these people...jj