Chevy & GMC Vans

I have always noticed since I got the van that there is a constant roaring while driving the van on the highway. It does not make this sound until I reach about 50 mph. Also, today while driving on the highway I had to come to a sudden stop and noticed the van goes straight into a nose dive. I mean it feels as if the rear end is going to flip me over! Anybody know where I should start first?

I'd say that the roaring has to do with a u joint, differential or tailshaft bushing. The diving could simply mean you need new shocks.

Well, I took the van in for what I thought was going to be a $99.95 brake special. I told them about the constant roaring and the nose diving. Six hours later I got a call and this is the results:


Both front rotors are below spec for turning and need to be replaced
Front pads needed
Left front caliper needs a rebuild
Rear brakes are not even engaging (Cause for the nose dive)
Right wheel bearing needs replacing - metal is flaking off (roaring sound)
He said he is surprised the wheel hasn't come off by now
Not really sure but he said some seal in the rear is leaking ??
Shocks are totally shot

He will be keeping the van overnight and call me with the damage in the morning. It doesn't sound like a $99.95 brake job!

I know! I should start up a Wrenchfest here in Atlanta. Only thing is I am terrible with a wrench in my hand. I am sure I will be hating life when they call in the morning. Either I will be working some overtime or I need a second job.

James, I love your motto and totally agree! (big thumbs up)

Philippians 4:13......Very Nice!

Hey trybe thats very simular to my motto for working on things.

It's I can do all things through Miller. You see thats where you start working on your project untill you start to get annoyed or your back starts to hurt then you pause and have a cold wobbly pop and take a break and think about your prediciment and then get back to work.


Please note that if you try and use this system and take too many "breaks" it will result in a dramatic loss of fine motor skills and you will probably hurt yourself very badly. Thats why a one "break" limit should be imposed if the job is too technical.

trybe13 wrote:Up until a few months ago I used to pay the stealership to work on my ride, but I have developed a passion for fixing it myself now. I understand if you aren't any good wrenching on things. It's probably better to pay someone else rather than try it yourself and make it worse. It's good to know one's limitations. My motto is I can do ALL things through Christ.

Good motto that may or may not apply to wrenching, but that conversation is an Anything Goes one Good motto that is mine as well

I also used to pay people to do the work on my vehicles. But now I find that a lot of what I paid for I can do myself. It really isn't as difficult as I thought it would be. So now I moved from doing nothing, to doing oil, lube, filter; to doing brakes. Who knows what is next. Having said that, there are still things I wouldn't try, but not many.

Kidhauler wrote:Hey trybe thats very simular to my motto for working on things.

It's I can do all things through Miller. You see thats where you start working on your project untill you start to get annoyed or your back starts to hurt then you pause and have a cold wobbly pop and take a break and think about your prediciment and then get back to work.


Please note that if you try and use this system and take too many "breaks" it will result in a dramatic loss of fine motor skills and you will probably hurt yourself very badly. Thats why a one "break" limit should be imposed if the job is too technical.

With a lot of persistence and determination the elephant deflowered the mouse...

Well, the call came in and the damage is $1100! It was actually a little more than that including the Monroe shocks they advised but I decided to skip the shocks. I am going custom on the suspension! While it was raised I got a look under there and my suspension is in need of an overhaul. Lots of play under there. The previous owner used the van for camping and towing his boat and there was a lot of mud,rust, and bends in some of the suspension parts. Good news is I am selling my 540i and have some cash to do some mods! I can already tell this is going to be an expensive hobby. Now to hit the archives and find some good shocks,idler arms, and other things.

A constant roaring sound is usually the result of a failed fan clutch. It may be locked up. See if you can turn the fan by hand with the engine off. It should turn with only a small amount of resistance.