Chevy & GMC Vans

noticed today that there is a,,...hard to describe, but a growling?? the best that i can describe the noise is you's know what a plane sounds like overhead? not a jet plane, but one with say rotors on either side. well, it sounds like that, but the sound doesn't fade away like it would with a plane. lol. that's the best i can do for a description. or maybe like the sound a "mini" rumble strip would make without the actual vibration.

it does not matter what gear i'm in. it is only when the tires are turning. it wont do it in neutral. and there is no kind of vibration associated with it. i'm thinking either jack er' up and have all fours in the air and get underneath. or take the front driveshaft out to see if it goes away. i haven't heard anything quite like this before.

anyone??

Can you tell if it is front or rear? If so, try rotating the tires. When it is in the air, check the front hub bearings for any play, roughness or noise. You can then pull the front drive shaft and test drive it. Then pull the rear drive shaft and make sure the u-joints are good and not seized up. There are some starting points.

Have you done anything recently with the van ? or had anything done at a garage ?

absolutley nothing. it's very weird, it just all of the sudden started...

Check the fluid levels of front/rear diffs,transfer case

that's what i was thinking. it kinda sounds like it could be dry gears................

so i jacked up the ol' thing yesterday..(my van i mean )

didn't hear the noise!! i topped up the front diff then went for a drive, the noise was still there, but not when i had all 4's in the air. all tires were spinning except the front driver's side, that stayed still. so either it's a problem with that wheel or something is going on when the weight of the van is on the tires. everything looked tight, and other suggestions?

thanks.

Might be a bad wheel bearing. Does it speed up and slow down with the van's speed?

yup, it does slow down with the van's speed. another way to describe it is for those who know what a federal signal mechanical Q sounds like when it's on it's way down.....sounds kinda like that when i slow down.

Try this.

Jacking up one front wheel up at a time
Remove wheel, brake caliper and rotor
Grab the flange the wheel lugs are connected to and rock around.

If it moves around without the steering knuckle moving, the bearings are shot and need replaced.

thanks, i'll give that a try tomorrow when the sun's out

the bearings all checked out fine, so i'm going to try changing tires next. but since i already have this thread goin'- i gotta change my lower ball joint. now i can remember from last year that it is a huge PITA. what's the trick? drilling from the bottom up? air gear? any help would be great!!

Thanks