06 Trailblazer 4x4 front end noise-not wheel bearing

Something simple..... Have you tried rotating the tires. Irregular wear in a tire can sound just like a bearing.

Arggh! We have a transmission specialist here and expect him to be by for more. In the mean time based on noises bearings make and under what circumstances I would NOT be tearing into a differential with one making noise more on a turn one way or another and would again focus on wheel bearings which makes little sense that if replaced plus this whatever work to differential didn't change anything.


The odds of that IMO are frightfully low.


Timken has enjoyed a good reputation for quality as well as a couple others. Can you get a bad one out of the box in any - yes. Sad but was it really a Timken bearing(s) or just in their box! Scary world with that crap.

********I did the Timken's back in April and when hearing the new noise I warrantied both sides and replaced them both a couple of weeks ago--so bearings are defiantly not the problem.


The suspect bearing should have been without much doubt in hand off vehicle. No you can't really apply the identical forces by hand that the weight of the vehicle can but it should simply because it's used spin for you whereas the new one is almost always tight until used for a short time and load on it.


It only takes the smallest galling (sp?) marks on a race to show one is bad and you can't see it on a sealed bearing which this must be but should feel it. Yes old one might not show itself so some room for misdiagnosis. Don't expect a bearing that can make noise have any free-play either. Most begin with just noise and no other real side effects at all. It's such a distinct feel or sound in hand or better if you can see them to be certain.


Other things that lead you to think bearing(s) that make noise are the plain tires themselves or brakes even if quite new and looking perfect. Usually if a tire just swapping them around the noise will change or follow one tire issue as it's doubtful the result would still be the same. Plenty of tires make the same noise as a bad bearing and even can do the louder or more pronounced on turns which is shifting more weight. Brake rotors actually torque the slightest amount also with turns and pads might just touch just then and not otherwise in a way to make noise. If this was elusive enough ruling about any other thing out I'd swap front brake pads just for a road test to see if noise went totally away or moved and put them right back where they were - an extreme not often called for.

*******Brakes and tires are very recent also, but I am going to try swapping the front tires left to right/right to left and see if the noise follows. Then I will try your suggestion of swapping the pads and rotors side to side after the tires.Wish I thought of this myself before all this money and labor I have went through.


Other things on still an incomplete list is the rotor to hub contact. Any defect or rust/dirt can set it untrue when wheel is tight most often noticed as a pulsing in brake pedal when applied like a warped rotor. If one was left that way for any miles it would wear wrong and require machine work or replacement.


Tire to rim itself held by just air pressure can make noise but almost always a different type of squeak not so much a bearing noise.


FYI - By far the most common bad bearing noise I'm going on is a growl like that wheel or item has grit in it up to like one wheel has a knobby tire on it and others don't type growl. Noises do travel too so a listening rod helps but can't really do that in a moving vehicle but know the noise could be from something other than right at that wheel or anything to do with it.

**** I put the truck on the lift with stethoscope in 4wd and cant hear the noise, must need weight for the noise to occur.


For now last maybe is wheel or new bearings are so off for torque they have damaged or bent. If a bearing is damaged by this upon installation it should show right up. What makes this most difficult is you still have the same noise with different parts now so chances point to you haven't found it at all and for now I'd seriously consider a tire or all are just making noise with evidence that you should see and would be a different noise when swapped around or even go away?


I have to hope when whatever was done to differential was done exactly right with right tools and equipment or that venture could be an entire new problem now or later,

******I pulled diff myself and sent to the local re builder who I have known and trusted for years. I deal with him constantly through the business I am in. All parts put in I ordered for him through the OEM.


********* I will try the tires first and then move to the brakes and get back to you . I work long hours so I might not get to it until Friday night or Saturday. Thank you for your help.

T

That just copied my prior post. Do swap tires around first as it's the easy first step. Also mark them where they were when it all started, Tom
PS: Feel the tires by bare hand for flaws too. Tires will wear more towards the front of each nub as front being what the tire receives moving forward........so at the bottom of course........

rakes and tires are very recent also, but I am going to try swapping the front tires left to right/right to left and see if the noise follows.

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No, I would go front to rear. Chances are whatever is happenning to the left front would also be happening to the right front.