Four wheel drive noise

HAHNY1

MEMBER
2003 GMC SIERRA
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
35,000 MILES

I have an 03 sierra 4x4. When I engage the auto four switch I notice a slight drag and a little worse when locked in four wheel drive. During a recent snow I put it into four and when approaching a stop without applying the brakes it made a growling/ginding noise at about 5mph. You could somewhat feel it in the steering wheel as well. This only happens in four wheel drive. Any ideas as to what it could be or what to check. I only have 35000 miles on it but during the summer I do have wider tires than factory so maybe that is causing some extra wear on things.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Does the noise come from the front or under the vehicle?

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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 7:15 PM

HAHNY1

MEMBER
75 POSTS

It went away for the most part but it was coming from underneath towards the front but when the noise occuring you could feel a vibration on the floor and in the steering wheel

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Friday, December 24th, 2010 AT 7:20 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

If you feel it in the steering, it has to be related to the front drive axle as you described. My first considerations would include checking all u-joints, CV joints, and make sure the fluid in the front differential and transfer care are full. Also, check for any excessive play where the drive shaft enters the front differential and attaches to the transfer case. It sounds like a bearing is going bad, but to determine which one is the hard part. Let me know what you find when you check the things I mentioned.

Joe
PS: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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