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Signs that a u-joint is going?


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I have a 2004 Z-71 Silverado Crew Cab. About a week ago I noticed a soft clunking noise when starting or coming to a stop, probably less than 5 mph. This is coming from the front end and sounds like the driver side. It doesn't do this at any other times. Two times now I have heard a hum/whine, once at 60 mph, the other at 45 mph that lasted about 15 seconds. I pulled the left-front wheel and the brakes and cv boots look OK. Does the front drive shaft turn on these trucks when it's not in 4-wheel drive? Any other thoughts on what it could be?

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They do not have to be loose to be bad/going out.

Jer's advice is a great way to determine a wheel bearing failure.

If it is a wheel bearing, with the front end raised and using a stethoscope on the hub/knuckle, you can spin the wheels and find out which one is causing the issue. You will hear a high amount of noise from the bad one.

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I have a 2004 GMC Z71, and have recently had the front right wheel hub assembly replaced and had U-joints done a month ago and I agree it sounds like the wheel bearing, what you have described with the whine/hum is what I experienced with a loose wheel bearing. That clunking noise could possibly be the slip yoke which I had clunk when stopping and taking off under 5 mph. When my U-joints went bad that was a loud skreech as the drive shaft was coming to a stop, usually the needle bearings shot making that noise. But, as I am not a mechanic, these are a few things that I have had go wrong with my truck that might help ya out.

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When troubleshooting the transfer case, they took off the front drive shaft and turn the backwheels in gear. No noise in the transfer case. grin They then focused on the front differential which is from where the noise was coming. frown It was starting to bind up. shocked They replaced bearings, seals, a spacer, a connector... Total parts $470, total labor $1176. crazy I asked the service advisor if this happens regularly. He kind of dodged the question by saying he was driving down the highway and his front diff bound up and he had to replace the front diff and the transfer case. I almost took this up to Fergus Falls but didn't want to chance it so I may have dodged a bigger bullet. He also said if the gears needed to be replaced it would have been another $700.

I don't think this failure should happen. The reason I buy Chevy's is for the engine and drive train longevity I had on the previous 3 vehicles all over 120,000 miles.

I think I will have a bran muffin so I don't bind up. laugh

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