Front End Vibration

[saskhockey19]

I recently noticed a vibration in my front end that has been getting worse. It seems to be coming from the front passenger side. I took it in to get it looked at and found out my CV joint was shot so I put a new axle in and still the vibration is their. So I took of the wheel bearing and replaced that and the vibration still occurs but it seems like only after i drive for quite some time does anyone know what that could be.

Thanks,
Ben Cysiewski

[old_master]

Several things can cause a vibration. What speed does it occur? Do you feel it in the seat, the floor or the steering wheel? Does it change if you apply the brakes? Does it change while cornering?

[Sonwatcher]

Originally Posted by old_master

Several things can cause a vibration. What speed does it occur? Do you feel it in the seat, the floor or the steering wheel? Does it change if you apply the brakes? Does it change while cornering?

I have the same problem that started last week. It starts out as soon as I begin to pick up speed. I feel it in the floor and steering wheel. When I turn a curve to the left it goes away. It doesn't change when I apply the brakes. Just had new tires put on the front and alignment but the alignment didn't change it.

[old_master]

Feeling it in the floor and steering wheel indicate a problem with the tires/wheels. What speed does it start doing it? Do you feel it at all speeds after that?

[Sonwatcher]

It probably is noticeable around 30mph and gets stronger as the speed goes up. It is noisy too. Sort of like your riding on knobby tires is how I would describe the noise. It gets loud as the speed picks up.

[Sonwatcher]

My wife just called and said the noise starts as soon as you start driving.

[old_master]

Possibly a front wheel bearing/hub assembly. 2WD or 4WD? Sometimes difficult to determine which side is bad, but USUALLY if the noise goes away turning left, it's the left one that's bad.

[Sonwatcher]

It is a 99 Bravada with Smartrack. If it is a wheel bearing would it be wise to make a 400 mile roundtrip this weekend ?

[Chris Stewart]

If you can feel it and hear it, it's time to get it changed....not while you're on a 400 mile weekend trip.

[old_master]

I agree with Chris 100%

[Sonwatcher]

Ok, I just took it for a spin. Here is what it did. The noise starts as soon as you pick up speed and gets louder the faster you go. As I drove I turned the steering wheel quickly from left to right real short turns several times and each time I turned the wheel to the left it quit.

[old_master]

The best way to tell which one is bad is with a stethoscope on the hub. While the wheel is off of the ground, rotate it by hand, you'll hear it!

There are two sets of bearings in each hub assembly, an inner and an outer. When you turn left, the inner left and outer right bearings are loaded, and the outer left and inner right are unloaded. Just the opposite happens when you turn the wheel to the right. That's why it's so difficult to determine which hub is bad. While driving, it can be deceiving where the noise is coming from.

[Sonwatcher]

Thanks a bunch for all your help ! I bought a hub as the bearings are sealed in the unit and will try to locate the bad side as I do have an automotive stethoscope. You have been a great help !

[old_master]

Let us know how it turns out.

[Sonwatcher]

Well guys, again a great big THANK YOU ! We found it to be the left hub and changed it. It runs perfect now !