some vibration from the front left of the truck

malkavian · Post by **malkavian** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:21 am

I have a vibration seems like it is comeing from the front left wheel area. I really notice it when in a prolonged left hand turn. Like going down a on ramp or turning around in a parking lot. Also when just driving it almost sounds like a out of balance wheel but I rotated my tires and it dosnt seem to move with the tires. but you can feel the vibration through the floor board and a little in the steering wheel. I have also pulled, pushed, pryed on just about all my front end stearing componets and every thing seems tight . My tire is wearing even also. .... Any Ideas?

Retep · Post by **Retep** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 4:43 am

Hub bearing assembly or cv joint would be a couple of things to check.

Pete

AZS10Crew · Post by **AZS10Crew** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:19 pm

Might be ball joints too. I just got mine replaced yesterday because of the same type of problem.

malkavian · Post by **malkavian** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:22 am

im about to go ride for a bit. When I get back Im going to pull the left front tire back off. Its under warranty still but I want to try to find the problem so when I take it in I wont get the run around. Anyone know what the limits on the play on the hub is for chking the wheel bearings?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:46 am

malkavian wrote:... Anyone know what the limits on the play on the hub is for chking the wheel bearings?

No lateral movement is allowable for the wheel bearings and .125 for ball joints.

To check the wheel bearing use a dial indicator mounted to a rigid object (pole table etc.) measure at the upper edge of the rim and any slack that may be present. You can jack it up and block the frame for this testing.

The ball joints must be checked with the weight on the a-arms. You will need to jack it up very close to the lower ball joint, not using the frame.
Warranty issues so far...

HenryJ wrote:...I had already checked them finding .130 horizontal slack in the right side and .160 in the left. Maximum allowable is .125.

After they inspected the truck I asked what parts had been ordered, they said one wheel bearing and after my asking why the bad balljoints were not being replaced they said that they were fine a wheel bearing was the only thing they found. I KNEW BETTER! So I was refered to the service manager, who said that they probably had not checked them and would have to send it out to an alignment shop to check the ball joints, they do not have a rack for checking them. (Total BS! ) It does not require a "rack" to check ball joints. What they did not know is that I had already gone to the alignment shop to confirm the readings I got using a dial indicator at my shop.

So, after explaining this they ordered the parts.

Moral of the story: do your homework and do NOT assume that they know what they are doing or will do the right thing , just because they work for a GM dealer.

EDIT:

Mlevy wrote:...The BCA branded unit was $169.99, or along those lines. I also bought the socket needed to remove the axle nut, I expect I'll need it again in the future if I do as much work on this truck myself as I hope to. Under $200 for both parts, and the bearing came with a new seal.

I had forgotten that the wheel bearing noise/vibration would be present when turning one direction and disappear when turning the other way. I also noticed the brake dragging during a turn , another tell tale sign.

malkavian · Post by **malkavian** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:44 pm

well I got my tires check for balance and 2 of them were out the lft front and right rear. That took care of my vibration but I do have some irregular wear pattern on the outside edge of the font tires so Im going to take in to the dealer and have them look at that.