Need help troubleshooting a Front End Noise

H3slate · May 17, 2012

I am trying to troubleshoot a front end noise and need help narrowing it down. It happens between 15 and 40 mph when coasting under power. It gets considerable quieter if I take it out of gear. It is a whirring sound that changes slightly as speed decreases. I can hear it better with the windows up and no stereo.

My truck is a 2006 H3 w/ manual trans. and 83,000 miles on it. I just replaced the axle bearings and seals with no change in the sound.

So, I think it should either be the front wheel hubs or the ring and pinion. Any advice on how to pinpoint where the noise is coming from? Both repairs are somewhat spendy, so would like to have a pretty good idea that I am replacing the right parts.

alrock · May 17, 2012

Hmm, I dunno. I would recommend taking a look at the prop shaft (front and rear) and making sure the u-joints and CV are all in good shape. I would also double check fluid levels in the t-case and diffs. My t-case was low (thanks to the dealer) and a fluid change and proper fill reduced a similar noise.

Scarsman · May 17, 2012

I would second the driveline and fluids. Is there any kind of vibration with it at all?

H3slate · May 17, 2012

No vibration, I can sort of feel it in the floorboards. I will check the fluids, the transfer case is hard to check, on mine I have to fill it to the fill plug, close it up, then add more fluid through the speed sensor hole.

bebe · May 17, 2012

Diff....you been hanging around with Rox again?

Steve #1 · May 18, 2012

I had the exact same thing. For me it was more obvious when things were warm and the dealer never drove it enough to get it up to temp where they could hear it. I ended up driving it to them on a warm day and took the HUMMER tech for a ride as soon as I got there.

alrock · May 18, 2012

Mine was also a front diff rebuild but it was less whirring and more clunking, heard mostly when off the accelerator. Of course engine noise is a great way to hide other noises.

Hunner · May 18, 2012

Ok if it's not all of that, try rotating the tires and change the pressure. Mine started a whining and when driving 40 or so over a dippy paved road would alter sound as the suspension traveled. Drove me nuts and figured the diff was going or some bearings. I move the tires around and most of that went away.
I later installed my beadlocks that had tires mounted on them and it is gone. So I think in my case it was tire wear on the treads.
It's a cheap fix to rotate and see.

H3slate · May 18, 2012

bebe said:
Diff....you been hanging around with Rox again?

I wish! Haven't talked to her in awhile. You think it is the ring and pinion? Do I rebuild, our look at picking up 4speed's complete assembly for sale?

hunner, I just rotated my tires, the noise was there before and after the rotation.

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backwoods · May 18, 2012

Carrier and pinion bearings?

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H3slate · May 18, 2012

So, had to tear apart the front end again tonight. One of the seals I put in was leaking. :gaah: Drained the diff and took a look.

The ring looked good, a couple of chips on the outer edge of the teeth, no metal in the bottom of the case or on the drain plug. The inner gears (spider?) look to be showing some wear on them. Could that be my noise?

Guerrero · Aug 19, 2014

Hello I have a 2006 Hummer h3 automatic here in Spain,
i notice the exact same noise in my front diff after install the crossmember bushing from Outfitter Design and refill the diff with a bit of 75W90 fluid (aftermarket unit, not the oem fluid)
What was the cause of your noise?
I think my problem was the fluid that is not the OEM one, was a bad one. I want to put some castrol syntrax 75W90 synthetic fluid or the OEM one.

SuperBuickGuy · Aug 19, 2014

I've not found fluid to make any difference, when you put the new bushing in place, it will have a bit more vibration and sound coming from the front suspension because it's no longer encased in rubber

08H3 · Aug 19, 2014

Hunner said:
Ok if it's not all of that, try rotating the tires and change the pressure. Mine started a whining and when driving 40 or so over a dippy paved road would alter sound as the suspension traveled. Drove me nuts and figured the diff was going or some bearings. I move the tires around and most of that went away.
I later installed my beadlocks that had tires mounted on them and it is gone. So I think in my case it was tire wear on the treads.
It's a cheap fix to rotate and see.

Obviously not your case, but I had the same situation as Hunner once. I had a whine on acceleration and thought the worst. Swapped tires and it was gone.

kilroy · Aug 20, 2014

Ok, my turn at this. If nothing else has seemed to work try this. Drive a smooth back road and when your'e clear of traffic let off the gas and turn gently to one side and then the other this unloads weight from each of the front tires one at a time. If you find the sound to quiet down on one side when it's unloaded OR to get louder on one side as you turn into it then it's a bad hub assembly. If your noise sounds kind of like a low growl that's where I'd look first.

Guerrero · Aug 20, 2014

Hello again, and thanks for responds,
I checked the hub in both sides and was in good conditions, dont noise in turns and dont have any movements, I'll test the rotate tires tomorrow but dont think is that the cause because the noise suddenly appears after the crosmember new bushing and the new fluid (refill, dont change).
The noise appears from 20 to 40 mph i think and is like a low wirring that i feel trough the throttle pedal and the noise that i listen. The car dont vibrate or hesitate..
H3Slate, you got it fixed?

Thanks again!

H3slate · Aug 20, 2014

My fix was replacing my front diff. I got a really good deal from a forum member on a used low mileage front diff.

Guerrero · Aug 21, 2014

Ok, thanks you H3slate,

but for me now is impossible to change the front diff (dont have enough money), do you think that may is the pinion bearings?
or maybe any other part?
I see that you open your front diff, after close it and put new fluid the noise change?

Here in Spain there aren't too much hummer dealers, and I try to make all the things to the Hummer myself, thanks to that forum and Hummerforums, Hummerxclub, ClubHummeroffroad, etc. But that is my favourite.
This is the first time i write, but i want to write a lot more.

Thanks you very much! Great forum!

Need help troubleshooting a Front End Noise

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