Help diagnosing noise - possibly a wheel bearing?

When mine was going it made a horrible growling noise at any speed going straight. As I swerved left and right it would come and go. I read a bunch of horror stories about replacing the wheel bearing assemblies and decided to just try it before I invested in the puller and was glad I did. When I unbolted the thing it fell right out. I didn't even need to hit it with a hammer.

 

I had noise and vibration right after getting new tires, was convinced they didn’t balance them right. The shop rebalanced them without question. The vibration did not disappear.
Ended up being two bad u joints. I changed them myself for around $50.

I did wheel bearings a couple years later, definitely a different noise, and would change when I turned corners

 

Sorry to bring back an old thread but I'm still having this issue.

Replaced both front wheel bearing assemblies and no change in the noise. From there I thought it could be the tires. Yesterday replaced them with 265/75/16 Cooper AT3's and no change in the noise. Still there when I put it in 4HI. Sounds like a loud exhaust or droning, only between 35 and 55mph. At this point it's more of a nuisance for me. Any other ideas about how to pinpoint this sound? I don't have a lift or anything - stock springs and 5100's all around.

 

I'm very surprised everyone jumped on the wheel bearing theory so quickly. Your description points to ujoints. Since it's only within that small of a speed range, you can likely rule out transmission or differential issues which is good. That leaves bearings and driveline. You already did bearings, although is could be a rear bearing still... Im putting my money on drivedhaft. There is an active recall. Take it in and have that replaced free. You lose nothing if it's not it

Edit: not sure if recall covers 2013, but look into it

 

Yeah I just looked it up and looks like it only affects 05-11 pickups.

 

Let's see a picture of the carrier bearing in your driveshaft

 

I put about 5k on my groaning wheel bearing before I could actually feel any looseness in the wheel

I bought one off ebay for about 100. took me 2 hours to install due to rusty nuts

 

I'll try to snap a pic after work

 

Any thoughts on what this might be? I still get the noise while coasting in neutral as well. I'm wondering if it could possibly be a rear wheel bearing at this point.

 

Just to close this thread out, it was the passenger side rear wheel bearing. Got it replaced at my local dealership. The truck drives like new now...that thing was howling and shaking so much but I guess I got used to it over time. Drove on it for 10k miles and the noise never really changed.

 

i've recently went through having play in a front hub and had it replaced, did them both just because... then I discovered a new vibration- well, I should say, now i've noticed a new vibration/noise - and though it was the forward U-joint and possibly the Center (carrier) bearing because I think I can see a little bit of play in it, and there seems to be quite a bit of play in the center bearing compared to new trucks....(I had previously replaced the front U-joint about 2 years back-when that truly was an issue)
But the dealer felt that my U-joint(s) and Center bearing are both okay... but that the Rear (Drivers side in my case) wheel bearing is the culprit. And your description a the beginning of this thread is exactly what I hear.... and feel, and what my wife feels too (floorboard feel).
And as I look, at the back side of the wheel, I can see some evidence of a bad seal/ leakage.... really both sides sort of show it...

And I'm not looking forward to the cost of replacement at all!

 

I did a rear seal when I did rear brakes awhile back. You could easily pull the axle and have new bearing pressed on at a machine shop. It will save you boo koo bucks $$$!
Throw some new seals and brake shoes on while your at it!