Help me diagnose this front end noise

Symptoms:

Vibration based noise/growl at speeds above 70 MPH.
Noise grows with speed.
Noise cuts away like a light switch below 69/70 MPH.
Noise goes away as soon as I tap the brakes. Hard to tell if that is speed related or braking related.


Conditions:

No transmission shifting is occurring between noise and no noise.
Noise occurs even with transmission in neutral.
Noise occurs in 4th (4) and 5th gear (D)

Noise occurs regardless of RPM.
Noise does not occur at any RPM unless at 70 MPH or more.
Noise does not change during turns, as you would expect with a wheel bearing.

Happens in 2WD or 4WD.
Happened with and without front drive shaft installed.

CV axles feel normal when pulling/tugging/pushing on them.
Wheel bearings feel good when front end is lifted off the ground. No play.

Brakes don't make any noise at any speed, unless they're the culprit here (I doubt it).


Suspects:
Wheel bearing?
Front differential bearing?
CV Axle?


Thoughts?

 

Maybe your tires?

 

Are you running any spacers ?

 

No spacers and same tires have been on the truck for a year without issue.

 

Noise going away as soon as you tap the brakes, points to a brake issue IMO.

 

File says permission required - request sent.

 

Yea, I suspect that as well but it's hard to confirm since the fastest I really can get away with going out here is 80 MPH and once I tap the brakes I'm below 70 MPH pretty fast.

The brakes are also quiet at every other speed/condition.

Sticking caliper maybe?

I don't smell any burning smells.

 

Return springs still intact? Pads might be dragging ever so slightly if not.. Im guessing here
Link for reference:
https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2...e_caliper_support_spring.html?brand=raybestos

 

Same here. Just wanted to read it out of curiosity.

 

I am thinking my next stop is going to be the center carrier bearing on the driveshaft. Wish me luck.

 

Carrier bearing or driveshaft u-joints maybe?

 

Any vibrations in the truck? Given its an 06 your CB is probably sagging pretty bad, but seems that vibrations are usually a symptom of that and not noise

 

U-joints are all tight. Replaced one on the front driveshaft that a tiny bit of play in it, even though it wasn't the cause of the noise (removed front driveshaft and tested, noise still there).

CB has a little bit of play in it. Ordered a new one that will arrive on Sunday to see if that is it before I move on to more expensive things like wheel bearings and CV axles.

 

You could also pull the rear drive shaft and go for a spin in 4Hi. That would certainly rule a few things out

 

LT front and rear on an '06 with a hard 210k on the odometer, she vibrates occassionally lol.

The noise is accompanied by minor vibrations and is a vibration type noise/hum if that makes sense.

CB has been replaced several times over the life of the truck. Going to do it again just to see if that's it, got an open box special Dorman unit off Amazon for $35.

 

That's a good point, but at $35 for the CB, I'm just going to replace it when I drop the driveshaft anyways and see if that does it.

 

I'd be very tempted to try a different manufacturer Carrier Bearing given how many you've gone through. Dorman is not noted for extremely high quality (or long lasting) parts.

 

I can't disagree with that.

I figured since this is a stab in the dark, I'll go with the cheaper unit this time.

 

Maybe your clamshell bushing?

 

No change to noise when 4wd is switched on, which I think rules that out. Also already have an ECGS bushing in there.