Groaning sound from front end

[reefgeorge]

I have a groaning sound from the front end at speed which I thought was the coming from the tires as they have worn. I now suspect that one of the hubs may be bad. What are the symptoms of a hub that is failing. One thing that I noticed is that the sound disappears when turning but only in one direction.

Thanks,

George

[tjmjr72]

Hi there, i am having the same problem with my 03 Blazer it the left front, noise increases turning to the RT, Brakes are fine, there is no play in the Hub it feels nice and tight, think it may be in the Drive axle - CV joint area. will keep you updated.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

I have a groaning sound from the front end at speed which I thought was the coming from the tires as they have worn. I now suspect that one of the hubs may be bad. What are the symptoms of a hub that is failing. One thing that I noticed is that the sound disappears when turning but only in one direction.

Thanks,

George

Does it increase with MPH?
Going straight down the road 35-45 MPH turn steering wheel a little righ or left and if noise changes you have a bad hub/wheel bearing.
Have a look and feel and listen to them.
Let us know how it goes.

[reefgeorge]

Yes, the groaning changes with speed. If I start turning the groaning stops completely during the turn, but only in one direction which I presume is telling me which hub is bad. Since the left hub was changed a few years ago I'll focus on the right. Are there any other symptoms to confirm, like a loose wheel or grinding sounds when spinning the wheel by hand? The only thing that baffles me is that "classic" wheel bearing failure sounds very screachy/grindy. This is more like a very loud groaning noisy tire tread. Almost like a beat up aggressive blocky all terrain tire noise on a 4WD. Thanks.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

Yes, the groaning changes with speed. If I start turning the groaning stops completely during the turn, but only in one direction which I presume is telling me which hub is bad. Since the left hub was changed a few years ago I'll focus on the right. Are there any other symptoms to confirm, like a loose wheel or grinding sounds when spinning the wheel by hand? The only thing that baffles me is that "classic" wheel bearing failure sounds very screachy/grindy. This is more like a very loud groaning noisy tire tread. Almost like a beat up aggressive blocky all terrain tire noise on a 4WD. Thanks.

You are welcome.
NOISE MAY BEPEND ON HOW BAD BEARING AND WHAT PART OF IT IS BAD.
WAS THE REPLACEMENT BEARING A 90 DAY WONDER ELCHEAPO BEARING OR ONE OF THE GOOD ONES?
Does noise change on a little steering wheel turn when going straight down the road 35-45 MPH?
If so you have a bad wheel bearing.

Jack it up and feel for looseness in bearing and in gear engine running spin the wheels and listen for noise.
A stethoscope or a metal bar/pipe against bearing helps listen to it.
Post BACK HOW IT GOES.

[reefgeorge]

MT

I don't know the brand of the left replacement a few years ago?

The noise goes away with a mildly aggressive lane change going to the left from a straight line.

I have a new hub on order, is Timken a good brand? If not which ones are?

Thanks,

George

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

MT

I don't know the brand of the left replacement a few years ago?

The noise goes away with a mildly aggressive lane change going to the left from a straight line.

I have a new hub on order, is Timken a good brand? If not which ones are?

Thanks,

George

Yes Timken/BCA/National are good ones.
Watch out for the el cheapo 90 day wanders in white boxes.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[reefgeorge]

Problem solved. It was the hub/bearing. Very obvious which one once the truck was jacked up. The bad side had play in and out and sounded like there was gravel inside when you spun it. It was the OE side with 160k miles. BTW, it was the right side and went silent during a left turn or lane change.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

Problem solved. It was the hub/bearing. Very obvious which one once the truck was jacked up. The bad side had play in and out and sounded like there was gravel inside when you spun it. It was the OE side with 160k miles. BTW, it was the right side and went silent during a left turn or lane change.

Thanks for posting back how it went.
Glad you found it.
Right or left turn does not really help on finding the bad side.

They are a double roller bearing set up and can make different noise depending on what part is rough.