What in the world is that noise and vibration....

webejpn · August 17, 2017

This is gonna be a long one...

My truck is a 2015 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab with the max trailering package, 49k miles and has BFG AT KO2's (E rated tires).

I bought this truck a few months ago with 44k on it. When i test drove the truck, i thought the tires were a little loud but didn't think much of it. Sales guy said it was the tires as well so i didn't push it any further. Fast forward a couple months and the wife (who rarely ever goes in the truck) borrowed it while i took her Jeep in for an oil change. She came home and said, man you truck is LOUD.

Here's where i should note that i have over 80% hearing loss and wear hearing aids. So i told her it was the tires and she said i should replace them. But...the tires are pretty new with only 9/32-10/32 left on them.

The last couple weeks it seemed like the sound was getting louder and i noticed things felt more like a vibration as the keys would rattle. I downloaded a decibel app on my phone to see where things were at. At a standstill idle, i was getting 50-55 decibel. From 5mph on up, i'm at 87-91 decibels (which i know is loud because at work OSHA requires hearing protection at 85 decibels). The sound is hard to describe, but at low speeds when you are just rolling it almost sounds like you have tractor tires on or big mudder tires and as you go faster it goes into more of constant hum.

So last week i went to Discount Tire. They took a look at the tires and said, BAM, you have pretty significant cupping on the inside row of lugs on all 4 tires. Every other lug is worn down while the next lug is normal (see photos). Not wanting to spend the cash on tires that still had tons of tread left, they cross rotated them for me in a last ditch effort to save them. Well it didn't get any better so back i went to buy some new tires. Picked out a new set of Michellin LTX's , dropped the $1100 bucks and they slapped them on.

I anxiously jumped in for a peaceful ride home.....NOPE, not happening. The second the truck started rolling i could tell the sound was still there. A lap around the block and sure thing, the sound was exactly the same. So back i went and they graciously took the new rubbers off, put the old back on and didn't charge me a dime (super nice guys!).

Now knowing it wasn't the tires i started running through ideas in my head. It feels like it's coming from the front end more than the rear. The tranny has been shifting fine and the tranny temp hasn't been above 198-200 after a 20-30min drive (i think the cooling fan kicks in at 200). I tried shifting things in and out of the 2wd, 4 hi, 4 low and everything shifts fine. I've noticed now that the truck goes silent when making sharp to sweeping right turns, but is still loud on the left turns. I jacked up the front end and nothing feels loose and when i spin the tires by hand i didn't feel or hear the sound.

I've got the extended warranty on the truck and i think the drivetrain is automatically covered for 100k. I can't get the truck in till Monday, but i'd thought i'd check here to see if any of you guys have ideas.

Thoughts/ideas?!

aseibel · August 17, 2017

Does it sound like a "growl"? When the front wheel bearings are shot it gets pretty loud. Louder than the cupping noise your tires are making. And I'm sure they are also making noise, but since that increases with wheel speed as well, its hard to tell it apart.

webejpn · August 17, 2017

Not sure if i'd define it as a growl...i mean it could be.

It's definitely constant, no different if i'm on the gas or coasting. The vibration in the floor boards and the way the sound goes silent on right turns made me think it wasn't the wheel bearings. When i grabbed the wheels when it was jacked up, i didn't feel any play in it.

It's Tim · August 17, 2017

I bought this truck a few months ago with 44k on it.

Has this truck ever been wrecked?

webejpn · August 17, 2017

Not that i'm aware of.

webejpn · August 17, 2017

Just checked the Carfax....all clean.

webejpn · August 17, 2017

Verdict is in....drivers side wheel hub assembly.

Dealer said it's not covered by drivetrain warranty.

Called Smart Auto Care, my extended warranty provide and they said it is.....fingers crossed they say the same to the dealer when they call so i don't have to fork out $750 bucks!

It's Tim · August 17, 2017

Replace both sides.

8lugCT · August 17, 2017

Edit: the page didn't refresh before I responded

8lugCT · August 17, 2017

Also, is it normal for a half ton trans reaching temps of 200 under normal driving??

webejpn · August 17, 2017

Replace both sides.

Gotta wait till it's damn near falling off to get warranty to cover it....at least this time i'll know what it is and sounds like.

They said 2.5hrs to replace one side....pretty sure i replaced the hub assembly and the CV on one side of '04 tahoe in less than an hour in my driveway.

It's Tim · August 18, 2017

After thinking about it I'm going to change my opinion. If you had the vehicle off the ground and spun the wheel and felt no grit or play 98% chance the hub bearing is good, it's gotta be something else. CVJ or you positive it's not a rear wheel bearing?