Four wheel drive noise

2003 GMC SIERRA
35,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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HAHNY1
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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.
Dec 12, 2010 at 7:54 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Does the noise come from the front or under the vehicle?
Dec 21, 2010 at 7:15 PM
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HAHNY1
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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
Dec 24, 2010 at 7:20 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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!!!
Dec 26, 2010 at 6:44 AM
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