Rotational squeaking at 15 MPH?

ELDELATROCAGRIS04

MEMBER
2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4.8L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
176,400 MILES

I’m hearing a rotational squeak that does it in synchronization with the wheels spinning, it starts at 15mph and is more audible when I initially start driving the truck in the morning or after my 8 hour shift at work and seems to quiet down when I drive for a while I can barely hear it, it would be audible when I pass by a car or wall where the sound echos. It seems to be coming from the rear, I have replaced both front wheel hub bearings and in the rear I have replaced both u joints 2 years ago, had them checked by a mechanic recently and there is no play or clunking noise, changed the rear differential oil 3 years ago and there was no metal shavings at the time it got done so now I’m stuck between rear wheel bearings or worst case rear differential getting ready to go out? Sound does not change when I brake so I don’t think it’s brake related. I attached 2 videos of the noise hoping someone can help me out. Thanks.

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Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 AT 6:32 PM

15 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

Have you pulled the rear brake rotors to inspect the parking brake shoes? Something could be happening with a retainer. Also, check to make sure the rear backing plate/dust shield isn't rusted and touching the rotor.

Do this and let me know if you find. If you have already done this, let me know.

Take care,

Joe

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Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 AT 8:17 PM

ELDELATROCAGRIS04

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Both rear Parking brake shoes were replaced along with the included hardware recently thinking that was the noise, still no change, I checked the backing plates and they are not touching, had a mechanic check the u joints and they are tight no play and greased, he says rear wheel bearings are not bad but could be wrong or worst case differential carrier bearing? For some reason the videos did not attach on my original post so hopefully it shows on this reply and as you can see it starts at 15 MPH and gets faster the faster I go.

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Thursday, July 18th, 2024 AT 5:31 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
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Hi,

I have a question. In the second video, I heard a squeak once. I also heard clicking. Is the clicking from the road or is that what you are referring to?

Also, the squeak I heard didn't sound rotational. It sounded similar to a bushing that is part of the suspension.

Also, a bearing, in most cases, will make a growling noise or a hum that changes with speed and if you are making turns. Is that a possibility as to what you hear?

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, July 18th, 2024 AT 7:46 PM

ELDELATROCAGRIS04

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Hi Joe, that clicking noise was my keys hitting the column plastic, so I’m maybe using the wrong term on the squeak it’s more like a squeal type of noise that does it in synchronization of the truck moving it starts at 15 mph and gets faster the faster I go, at higher speeds over 50 I don’t hear it because of road and wind noise. I checked my suspension by bouncing it up and down front and back and no squeaks, so the noise sounds like something that moves as the truck moves I’m maybe thinking rear wheels bearings but the mechanic checked it off he may be wrong or worst case differential but the truck handles perfectly and tires show no signs of uneven wear or no howling noise.

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Saturday, July 20th, 2024 AT 6:06 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

Okay. If you are driving 35mph, is there anything you can do to change the pitch or sound you are hearing? For example, if you make a turn, does it get louder or stop?

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, July 20th, 2024 AT 10:31 PM

ELDELATROCAGRIS04

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Hi, so I noticed that when the sound quiets down, once I drive through bumpy roads or when doing a turn with potholes it sounds like a chirping and once I start going 15 MPH and over the noise starts again and when passing by cars or walls the noise echos to me.

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Sunday, July 21st, 2024 AT 11:44 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

Have you reconfirmed that there isn't a bent brake wear indicator that is touching the brake rotor? I'm not saying it isn't a bearing, but I would be looking at things that are less expensive first. LOL

If you are sure there is nothing touching the rotor (wear indicator, stone, or dust shield), chances are, it is a bearing. I am basing that on the idea that it is a rotational noise.

Let me know your thoughts.

Joe

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Sunday, July 21st, 2024 AT 6:52 PM

ELDELATROCAGRIS04

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Hi, just checked the rotors and there is no debris in between or dust shields aren’t touching them and pads and rotors were replaced 3 years ago and are still in good condition, noise doesn’t change when braking it’s consistent as the wheels are moving and when I slow down to less than 15 MPH when coming to a stop the noise stops. So now I’m thinking rear wheel axle bearings too because usually a bad differential would make a whine/humming noise or sound like a dirt bike when accelerating faster based on a couple YouTube videos of bad differential?

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Sunday, July 21st, 2024 AT 11:25 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
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Hi,

That makes sense. If nothing is touching, chances are it is a bearing. Can you tell what side the noise comes from?

Joe

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Monday, July 22nd, 2024 AT 8:18 PM

ELDELATROCAGRIS04

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Hi Joe, I’m back again with the same issue the rotational noise, just went on a 4 hour round trip and now I’m hearing the same squeaking noise that starts at 5mph but when I go a little faster I hear this chirping. I jacked the truck up, put it in neutral and spun the wheel and it’s making these scraping a grinding noises, any idea what it can be? Thank you.

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