Humming noise from Bravada

[iwaok]

I have 2000 SUV Bravada of about 52K miles. As an original owner, I take a good care of it, e.g., oil changes every 3 months and other major recommended maintenance works. About 5 months ago, I started to hear humming (or resonating) sound at certain speeds -- at 30 to 40 mph and again at 60-65 mph -- at 70 mph, the humming gets subdued a little.
This started after my a month or so absence of driving (the car left at my daughter’s and not driven much.)
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 lower than recommended, say, by a few inches.
But these patterns are not always true. It seems to depend on the temperatures or humidity even (?) and road surfaces.

I brought in a neighborhood repair shop (specialized in expensive cars such as Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac, etc) because of convenience. After road test finding nothing wrong, a mechanic and his colleague inspected more in details. They concluded:
1. All the break pads should be replaced because they were badly worn out.
2. Idler arm should be replaced because of tire scalloping.
3. All tires should be replaced because of scalloping
So, I had them done costing me over $1600.
The humming sound seemed to have subsided a little but never disappeared.
Now, a couple of months later, the humming seems to be getting worse.

I would be very appreciative to hear if I can any suggestions or comments from this forum, so that next time I go to garage, probably Olds or Chevy dealer this time, I’m a bit wiser to listen to their diagnosis. Incidentally, is this possibly related to phrases I picked up on the similar web forum, such as “driveshaft center support……hanger bearing noise…”, “bearing & bushing…….”, etc. Thanks.

[Chris Stewart]

Does it get worse if you switch lanes either to the left or right?

[iwaok]

Chris,
Thanks for you note. Switching lanes, if going to left, makes it worse. Once completed though humming resumes the same level.

[Chris Stewart]

Wow, it looks like we're having a wheel bearing/hub plague on Bravada's, I think I'll check mine.

[clariveros]

to the thread starter:
Make sure to check out the Chevy Blazer or the GMC jimmy forum nextime before you even take it to a shop Remember all SHops like to bend you over and give it to you!!!
Your problem has nothing to do with the brakes or the tires, this is a VERY common problem to all those who these vehicles, this is the wheel bearing HUB, about 350 for 2wd and 150 for 4wd, change that and it will fix the problem, good luck

[Mr D]

How do you determine which bearing (right or left) is in need of repair? I imagine that once you remove the defective wheel hub, you can see the damage, however I prefer not to have to remove both to figure it out.

[clariveros]

you can't really see the the damage becuase the bearings are sealed, you can only hear it, you should check to see which side make the most noise and the remove that bearing hub, also when you turn the wheels to one side or the other it should get either louder or quieter, then you can figure the louder side is the problem, keep posting

[clariveros]

also once you located the problem, i belive that autozone carries the hub at a reasonable price

[BlazinSaddles]

If it gets louder turning left and quieter turning right, it is the one on the passenger side.

[clariveros]

oops your right BlazinSaddles my mistake

[BlazinSaddles]

Originally Posted by clariveros

oops your right BlazinSaddles my mistake

I have read over the posts and I didn't see any mistakes that you made. All your advice was good.

[iwaok]

Hi, Calriveros,
You are so right. I brought to a new mechanic. He, driving for a second, immediatly pronounced faulty wheel bearing. Unfortunately, both sides - costing me a little over $ 700. It's back to normal now. By the way, does bad idler bar have anything to do with scalloping and my original problem of noise? Thanks

[clariveros]

iwaok,
Supposedly, I am not really sure hence the supposedly, suspension components can cause tire scalloping, but then again so can the tires being out balance which I know happens . All I can say is BEWARE!!!!! There are many shops out there that will do anything and say anything just to get your money,. I am not the most knowledgeable so I would suggest posting your problem in the Chevy Blazer forum, there are many members there that can help you out. Good luck

[mrramair]

Oh, man. Great to see others have had bearing problems... We are on our second on the passenger side front, and our SIXTH on the Driver's side. They both went at about 75000 miles. within about one month of each other. Our regular mechanic changed the Passenger side. We had a local shop do the driver's side and it went out again in about two weeks. Changed under warranty two more times after about a month. The mechanic changed brands and we got about 9 months. Finally bit hte bullet and took it to our regular mechanic for a full-charge replacement, but it is working as fine as the passenger side.

What sucks is that they put the ABS sensors in the bearing hub. What is good is that my wife and I can tell when a bearing is going before any mechanic can, and so far well before the warranty runs out...

The other recurring problems have been front ball joints and belt tensioners. On our second set of ball joints and it seems the tensioner gets changed every other year...