Sounds like bird chirping

[Madmax02]

2005 Tahoe LT, 4WD, 111k miles. Can’t figure this noise out. Sounds like a small bird chirping intermittently. Starts around 40mph. No chirp at all at idle. Can hear it inside the vehicle around drivers air vent but can hear it better with drivers window down. Sounds like it’s coming from front end. Brake pads are new so it’s not that. No chirp when at idle, only when moving. Any ideas are appreciated. Trying to upload a video.

 

[swathdiver]

2005 Tahoe LT, 4WD, 111k miles. Can’t figure this noise out. Sounds like a small bird chirping intermittently. Starts around 40mph. No chirp at all at idle. Can hear it inside the vehicle around drivers air vent but can hear it better with drivers window down. Sounds like it’s coming from front end. Brake pads are new so it’s not that. No chirp when at idle, only when moving. Any ideas are appreciated. Trying to upload a video.

David, does the sound coincide with the engine/drivetrain or the chassis/suspension/wheels going down the road?

I made a car chirp like a bird once when a piston melted while racing.

 

[Doubeleive]

Could be a front wheel hub, jack up the wheels so they are off the ground and see if there is any play at 12 & 6 (there should be none), at 9 & 3 there will be a little play normally because of the steering movement, you can also spin each wheel and see if you hear any noise

 

[Doubeleive]

for video's just upload it to youtube and then post the link in here

 

[Madmax02]

Sorry for the video sound quality. It’s hard to hear over the wind but if you listen you can hear the chirp.

 

[Doubeleive]

that could literally be anything, but I would check your wheel hubs just to rule them in or out

 

[Madmax02]

So I am finally getting back to this after traveling for work. The sound coincides with chassis/suspension/wheels. Not engine related. It starts at about 40mph. Doesn’t change going over bumps or around corners.
I checked tire movement 12 to 9 and 6 to 3 and everything seems solid. But I am leaning towards wheel bearing/hub anyway. I don’t know what else it could be. The vehicle has never been driven hard or been off Road and it only has 111,000 miles on it. So I am a little skeptical on it being a wheel bearing. But I don’t know how long they usually last.

 

[Doubeleive]

well like I said that sound could be be anything I would give everything a second good looking over and get a 2nd opinion from a shop before dropping money on it. I would check the brake pads also, see if there is any un-even wear and make sure it's not a low pad indicator touching on the rotor

 

[swathdiver]

So I am finally getting back to this after traveling for work. The sound coincides with chassis/suspension/wheels. Not engine related. It starts at about 40mph. Doesn’t change going over bumps or around corners.
I checked tire movement 12 to 9 and 6 to 3 and everything seems solid. But I am leaning towards wheel bearing/hub anyway. I don’t know what else it could be. The vehicle has never been driven hard or been off Road and it only has 111,000 miles on it. So I am a little skeptical on it being a wheel bearing. But I don’t know how long they usually last.

We cannot feel the maximum amount of play before a hub needs replacing. You gotta measure it. That being said, 110K on the original hubs is about average. Timken is the OE supplier and it's ABS sensor does not cause computer problems. My first one went around 115K and now the other side is due and am about 135K.


Timken SP500300. Check Amazon and ebay for best prices. Beware of Chicom or cheapies. I've run them before on other cars and while the hub and bearing were fine, the ABS sensors never worked right and caused further grief and wasted money.