Front End Grinding Noise

ok.

03 GMC sierra 4x4 5.3 4l60E
148k miles

so the other night when I was driving home the truck started to make a low pitched grinding noise from, what best I could tell, was the front end.

It does it at 10mph or above, does not change when I put it in 4wd, does not change when in neutral rolling down the road, does not change when turning either way, and does not change when braking.

I am suspecting either front the u-joints or the pinion bearing.

Could it be a wheel bearing or cv joint? I thought if it were one of these it would change the noise when turning to one side or the other.

Thanks for any advice!

wheel bearing.........does the sound change when you turn the vehicle

Yes, a wheel bearing noise will change when turning. The noise gets worse when more force applied and can go away when less force is applied.

CV's mainly click only while turning unless it is total junk.

You sure its the front end? A t-case low on fluid grinds and growls.

nope. doesn't change when turning, same noise. I am thinking u-joints. I will just have to go under it and take a look.

how would I check for a bad wheel bearing?

well my mechanic buddy told me it was a wheel bearing. I am going to replace that one and see if it fixes the problem.

Thanks for your help guys!

update: well you guys were right.

right front wheel bearing was blasted. oddly enough this is the first one that i have seen fail that didn't make a change in noise when turning.

but whatev, life goes on. truck drives great now.

glad you got it fixed man
i replaced both of mine on my 01 at 68k due to a stud breaking on my drivers side drop spindle..wow what an idiot i am lol

the bearings are very easy to do..just did mine friday...just remember to put the cooling shield on the right way..unlike me where i put it on backwards and had to take everything off and redo it...so save yourself a couple $$...

trevor