Possible axle bearing or hub/wheel bearing?

[jeremymik84]

Hey guys, rather new to the forum here. I've been searching around and cant really get a straight answer with what my circumstances are so I figured making a post is the next best option. About 1-2 months ago my wifes 2007 LTZ 4x4 Tahoe started making a roaring noise (almost as if it has mud tires on it) i know that most of the time this can mean a wheel bearing. However, i can't figure out where its coming from, i cant tell which side and front or back.. HOWEVER! since we bought the truck the passenger rear tire has been wearing unevenly on the outside of the tire and it wears down QUICKLY and it seems like when it gets to a certain point it stops wearing down.. Could the axle bearing be bad on that wheel and thats what is causing the roaring noise AND the tire wear? Is there a way to check all the wheels and see which one(s) are bad? i appreciate the help in advance guys. My wife carries my 8 month old baby girl around and I definitely dont want anything bad happening to her because of something like this. Thank guys!

 

[Truestyle Scott]

to check for bad front wheel bearings just jack the truck up and shake the wheel with your hands at 12 and 6. Should be solid. The back isnt quite the same but you could sure jack it up and shake that wheel as well to see if its loose at all. While you jack up each corner just look things over, look at control arms, sway bar end links, coils and shocks, spin the wheel, look at the brakes, make sure the wheels are on tight, look at driveshafts, look for any leaks.

 

[Jason_S]

For rear wheels, vet all four tires off the ground. On level ground supported by jackstands. Let the Tahoe idle while in gear with no weight on the wheels, tends to make bad axle bearings easier to hear. I'm not a fan of performing this in a driveway. Another way to try to localize front to back and possibly side to side. Is to let your wife drive while you sit in the back and listen for the noise.

Method suggested for checking front hubs, is all you need for the front. Movement with hands at 12 and 6 could also be ball joints. Movement with hands at 3 and 9 could also be tie rod ends.

 

[Yukon John]

I have had front 4WD Bearing Hub Assemblies go out on a Chevy, Ford and Escalade. For some reason in my case the left front always goes first. In any case...get this fixed quickly or park the vehicle...too dangerous to drive if you are hearing it. There is no cheap fix...the best I did on parts was Rock Auto at about $385 each. These units are sealed and are not serviceable.

Get the front end off the ground and lift up on the entire wheel /hub assembly...shake it at 12 and 6...if it moves at all you found your problem. This is a week link in the 4 WD system.

Good Luck.

 

[88hawkfan]

Just did both fronts a couple weeks ago, I got both units from 1aauto for about $170. Made a rumble strip type noise when turning left but turned out to be the right front assembly that was bad. Before you change them, heed everybody's advice and get some extra bolts; they tend to strip.