Roaring Noise from Front end

[Bigtrav6442]

I have a 2007 Chevy Tahoe that has a grinding noise in the drivers side front end that happens when there is a load either on or off that wheel. It doesn't make any noise when rolling straight with suspension level. We replaced sway bar bearings/bushings and wheel bearings on both sides but it's still doing it. My mechanic says I need struts...the drivers side has slight movement at the top when pushing up and down so not sure. What do you guys think?

 

[mindless1]

Grinding as-in a somewhat continuous noise rather than a bumping/knocking noise? If so that isn't something I'd normally associate with a strut, unless you mean it only happens with the motion of turning the wheel (left or right), not so much keeping the wheel in a turned position, which could be a failed strut mount.

However if the driver's side strut is moving around loose compared to passenger side, then you may indeed need a strut or strut mount anyway (assuming the nuts aren't just loose) and could go ahead and replace that, then see if the noise halts, but if it's the strut instead of just the mount, usually you'd want to replace both sides for balanced handling, or if the struts are old (several years or approaching 50K mi.), you might want to replace the struts too at the same time, even if it is just the mount.

Since you already replaced the wheel bearings, I'd sooner think it was brakes, front differential, or (less likely with "grinding" noise) CV axle.

 

[Bigtrav6442]

We did brakes on it about a year ago...but the noise just started about a month ago. It happens anytime the suspension is either compressed or extended. It happens both when the wheel is turned and when the wheel is straight. I does not however make any noise when the are making a right hand turn. We had the wheels off the other night replacing the sway bar bushings...the upper control arm bushings look a little worn, but not to bad. So yeah, I'm lost lol!

 

[mindless1]

Time to jack it up, take the wheel off, and look for any play, or tears in the CV boots.

 

[Bigtrav6442]

We are jacking it up and going to look at it again...hoping this time we get lucky.