Metal on metal vibration sound coming from driver's side - front? (07 YukonXL)

[superhawk]

Hi Gang,

I have a 2007 Yukon XL with a quirk that has been driving me bananas since the moment I first heard it. Lucky me to have found this site, as one thing I know that is on my side is that there are tons of these trucks around and if I am having an issue it is likely someone else has the exact same thing happening to them.

I have a loud vibration - a loud one meaning I can hear it over almost anything when it's happening, yet it isn't a deafening thing. Hard to describe but I'm sure you know what I mean. It's coming from the front half of the vehicle and seems to be caused by something on the driver's side (left side, for me). Directions can be very hard for me to detect with my ears.

Some Points of Interest:
- it is a tinny sound (not TINY, tinny like tin) and a metal-on-metal thing as far as I can tell.
- it seems to have some umph to it, meaning it isn't a barely detectable thing.
- it seems to be a medium-large loose object touching something bigger.
- sometimes it sounds like one part of the 2 pieces of metal might be hollow because it just sounds that way to me.

Some theories I've chased a little: I looked for something loose on any part of the frame exposed under the truck. I didn't find anything. I also theorized that it could be something in close contact to the muffler - or perhaps a clamp that has slipped out of place. Perhaps on a length of exhaust tubing. I am pretty non technical or smart about trucks but this sound is not related to the RPM's on the vehicle. It's most noticeable when the truck is in medium acceleration and especially from a stop. But if I am cruising around town and I drive by a wall I can hear it bounce back. This is another reason I feel like it's coming from where I mentioned.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what that may be?
It's one of those things that has never been so bad that I've taken it in specifically for this - but multiple times I've asked that they look at it and are never able to recreate or solve it (which it just utter B.S. because all one has to do is start it, or start it and accelerate to 10mph and it'll happen 90% of the time).

Thank you - in advance,
Evan

 

[AZSCTACO]

Check the heat shield that goes between the exhaust pipe and the spare tire. I had a similar sound and the shield broke near the bolt and was vibrating. Keep us updated.

 

[dreww2001]

My K&N came unbolted and rattled around but its passenger side, and you didn't say you had a K&N. it was loud enough to where you can hear it in the cabin when it's running.

 

[PuroPinchePedo]

Did you figure this out? I have the same issue. When I hit a bump I hear a rattle type sound. I got under and started pushing things around but can't really figure it out. I thought maybe it was my cats being done on the inside and rattling.

 

[DStarr02]

Both sound like you are talking about the steering shaft, i kinda remember there used to be a GM Bulletin on the lubing and stroking the steering shaft, i know it sounds like a joke but it was where there was a slip yoke or something of the sort in the dash. Maybe someone can pull up a copy or something. It almost sounds like a clicking/ high clunking noise over a rough road or bumps.