Need help with humming noise on 2004 Yukon Denali 6.0

[OffBrandCornDog]

As the title states I have a humming noise coming from the front left of the vehicle only while certain conditions are met. The hum varies in loudness by day, some days it wont be there at all, others it is so loud it drowns out my music. It usually only happens while I'm accelerating, and when I'm coming to a stop braking, but will occasionally happen while I'm just cruising at speeds around 35-45mph and then also sometimes at like 60-70mph. Now I love this car and it has only been given to me from my grandfather so I'm still learning everything about it, and I'm trying to get it in great shape again. My grandfather believed at first it had something to do with the gear box and that I should just ignore it. (that's not the type of person I am, i crush problems as soon as I can) Attached below is a picture of what he said was the steering box. I noticed this the other day while trying to look for rubber on my cv joints or control arm that were leaking (as maybe that was causing noise?). In the photo you can see that the rubber has completely disintegrated. Could this be causing the noise? I know some people will say the wheel bearing and I'm not saying they are wrong, but this noise has been happening for a very long time, and there is no dash light and it hasn't gotten too much worse just louder. (no ticking or shaking from what I can tell) I am willing to replace the wheel bearing, I just dont wanna throw money at it without knowing exactly what it is. I feel the vibration most by my left foot, and slightly in the steering wheel. (very little in steering wheel) I Have done a lot of work to this car and want it to be as close to new as possible sorry if something I said sounds dumb I am happy to provide pics or vids of anything yall need.

-Connor

 

[B-train]

I'm not sure if that's your source, but that is an accident waiting to happen. This splines are there for a reason......to hold the pivot arm in place for steering and control. All the splines should be HIDDEN and the nut should be tight with threads showing out the bottom. I would advise NOT driving that until it's fixed (all caps for emphasis, not yelling. LOL)

To your humming noise, common issues are:
1. Wheel bearing - sounds likely to me based off your description.
2. Front diffential - known for bearing noise due to cheap construction and usually chitty maintenance by most owners. A few fluid changes in quick succession can sometimes clean them out and quiet them down. Usually if they are growling loudly, then repair/replacement is needed. (I would advise a low mile junk yard swap - skilled mechanic can do this in about 30 minutes).

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

I'm not sure if that's your source, but that is an accident waiting to happen. This splines are there for a reason......to hold the pivot arm in place for steering and control. All the splines should be HIDDEN and the nut should be tight with threads showing out the bottom. I would advise NOT driving that until it's fixed (all caps for emphasis, not yelling. LOL)

To your humming noise, common issues are:
1. Wheel bearing - sounds likely to me based off your description.
2. Front diffential - known for bearing noise due to cheap construction and usually chitty maintenance by most owners. A few fluid changes in quick succession can sometimes clean them out and quiet them down. Usually if they are growling loudly, then repair/replacement is needed. (I would advise a low mile junk yard swap - skilled mechanic can do this in about 30 minutes).

thanks for the quick response. that is unfortunately my source of the image lol. I wonder if thats what is causing my steering wheel to slightly shake sometimes. could you give me the name of the piece i would be looking at fixing? is it actually called the steering box? and as for the humming, we are planning on changing out the diff fluid and ill make sure we do a shake test on the front left wheel when I get the chance thank you so much, and how much could it cost on average to get the thing that holds the pivot arm fixed? or could it be a at home job.

 

[rockola1971]

The splined shaft is the output shaft of your steering gearbox. The part that is pressed onto it is called the Pitman arm which attaches to your relay rod and has your tie rods connected to it and those connect to each wheel's steering knuckle. Those splines should NOT be showing like that and that nut should have a good inch of that shaft stick out below that big nut. You gotta get that tightened up before it falls apart while you are driving which will cause a total loss of steering and the worst ride in your life.
Typically it is always the driver side hub that goes first and the most often. Lift front end off the ground just enough for tire to clear. Check both sides. Grab wheel at 6 and 12 oclock position and try to rock tire inward and outward. Then grab wheel at 9 and 3 oclock position and rock inward and outward. You will feel excessive play if hub bearing is bad. Also rotate tire forward and backward and listen for rough sounds or even slight growling. If you hear any of that then hub is bad.

Dont confuse play in your tie rods with hub play.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

Get that fixed, as folks have stated above that this is a really bad situation just waiting to happen.

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

Get that fixed, as folks have stated above that this is a really bad situation just waiting to happen.

I will make sure to add pics of the truck under this message, and yes I am staying on top of getting that fixed, I should be working on it today and hopefully back to driving it again tomorrow. its a 2004 Yukon Denali, nothing too special in it other than radio and upgraded speakers right now, would love to add more but that costs money lol. would like to repaint it once all mechanical stuff is back to as close to perfect as possible. inside is pretty clean, other than drivers seat being ripped but what 21 year old Yukon isn't, I do have a suspension conversion kit in the middle row I'm gonna be using here soon, its a Arnott c-2666, I've heard good things and I'm not trying to go super fancy. I want to make it nice I just personally don't no too much about cars, I'm just happy that for the first time in 8 years of my family having it there's no dash lights on haha

 

[Marky Dissod]

2 pics where your front wheels are pointed straight ahead,
1 pic where your steering wheel is clearly off center,
1 pic where your Pitman Arm is not properly socketing the steering box output shaft

This'd take priority over the hub bearings ...

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

2 pics where your front wheels are pointed straight ahead,
1 pic where your steering wheel is clearly off center,
1 pic where your Pitman Arm is not properly socketing the steering box output shaft

This'd take priority over the hub bearings ...

i dont think you realize how easy those steering wheels turn, you gotta turn it a lot more to get any movement, i promise you I have an alignment lol, and when the steering wheel is straight the wheel is straight. secondly the pitman arm is now properly up on the output shaft. listen i know my denali isnt perfect but calm down, i take care of issues when they arise

 

[rockola1971]

That steering wheel should not have to be turned much at all before you get movement and the reason you are is because your gearbox and/or steering components are worn out. Now it may be usable but is worn out. Most of these guys in here know the K Chassis inside and out. A steering alignment only involves the tie rods and the upper control arm. The gearbox does have a lash adjustment on top of it but you have to be very careful while adjusting it. A little does a WHOLE LOT!
I just replaced the gearbox in my 2003 Tahoe LT because the output shaft wobbled around which caused the alignment to be useless and chewed up the tires.

 

[OffBrandCornDog]

That steering wheel should not have to be turned much at all before you get movement and the reason you are is because your gearbox and/or steering components are worn out. Now it may be usable but is worn out. Most of these guys in here know the K Chassis inside and out. A steering alignment only involves the tie rods and the upper control arm. The gearbox does have a lash adjustment on top of it but you have to be very careful while adjusting it. A little does a WHOLE LOT!
I just replaced the gearbox in my 2003 Tahoe LT because the output shaft wobbled around which caused the alignment to be useless and chewed up the tires.

you know what, yall were right im sorry if i sounded rude there, I was just so used to that amount of slack i thought it was normal, ill see if i can adjust how tight it is and think about planning to replace the steering box as a whole to prevent it from getting worse, thanks for that help.