Noisy Wheel Bearing?

rmmagow · 08-31-2009, 09:14 AM

2003 GMC zr2 4wd w/95000 miles.
I'm noticing a slight wooh wooh wooh noise when the truck is moving. To me it sounds like a wheel bearing getting ready to fry. I've looked at front wheel hub kits available on-line and am thinking of replacing my hubs up front. They appear to be held on w/3 bolts. How difficult a job is the replacement? I would be working on my back in the driveway. What size socket will I need to break the axle nut loose? Impact wrench ok to use to remove everything? The hubs seem to be around 75~140 dollars which isn't bad if I can do this myself.
How bad is rear wheel bearing replacement? Need to pull the axles?
Thanks Much

BernieB · 08-31-2009, 10:35 AM

If it's a wheel bearing getting ready to go it'll probably be getting warm. If you have an infra-red temp sensor compare the temps of both sides. If not, you can check it with your hand but use extreme caution. Hold your hand near the bearing first, without touching it. If it's really hot you'll feel the heat coming off it. Or use a glove.

bradrhale · 08-31-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmmagow

2003 GMC zr2 4wd w/95000 miles.
The hubs seem to be around 75~140 dollars which isn't bad if I can do this myself.

are you looking at the correct ones?? that one maybe in that price range but im sure if you look, that is for non ABS vehicles. if your truck has 4 wheel ABS, the price goes up drastically.
the job is not difficult to do. memory serves me right, the spindle nut is metric.

leolkfrm · 08-31-2009, 01:25 PM

I think they are 33mm, but when you buy the assembly it should have a new nut and you can check the size

rmmagow · 11-04-2009, 08:00 AM

Finally getting started. I bought two hub bearing assemblies for $118.00 and they have the correct ABS wire. They are probably junk but will have to do. I am confused about torque settings though. This is a 2003 GMC Sonoma in zr2 trim. I've read in another forum that the axle nut is supposed to torque to 103 ft lbs, the bearing bolts 77 ft lbs. I've seen much higher numbers on earlier years for this truck. The bearings came in the box and the box actually said don't go over 103 ft lbs so I am suspecting this is the right settings for a 2003. I'm hoping to get some level of agreement here from someone who's got a 2003 version of the Sonoma or S-10 ZR2 trim. The cheap bearings were actually assembled overseas from US made parts so they migh not be too bad. At the price if they last 30K I'll be happy.
What's a good repair manual for this truck? haynes/chilton or can I get factory? THANKS!

08-31-2009, 09:14 AM	#1
rmmagow Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8	Noisy Wheel Bearing? 2003 GMC zr2 4wd w/95000 miles. I'm noticing a slight wooh wooh wooh noise when the truck is moving. To me it sounds like a wheel bearing getting ready to fry. I've looked at front wheel hub kits available on-line and am thinking of replacing my hubs up front. They appear to be held on w/3 bolts. How difficult a job is the replacement? I would be working on my back in the driveway. What size socket will I need to break the axle nut loose? Impact wrench ok to use to remove everything? The hubs seem to be around 75~140 dollars which isn't bad if I can do this myself. How bad is rear wheel bearing replacement? Need to pull the axles? Thanks Much

08-31-2009, 10:35 AM	#2
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	If it's a wheel bearing getting ready to go it'll probably be getting warm. If you have an infra-red temp sensor compare the temps of both sides. If not, you can check it with your hand but use extreme caution. Hold your hand near the bearing first, without touching it. If it's really hot you'll feel the heat coming off it. Or use a glove. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

08-31-2009, 01:25 PM	#4
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	I think they are 33mm, but when you buy the assembly it should have a new nut and you can check the size __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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11-04-2009, 08:00 AM	#5
rmmagow Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 8	Finally getting started. I bought two hub bearing assemblies for $118.00 and they have the correct ABS wire. They are probably junk but will have to do. I am confused about torque settings though. This is a 2003 GMC Sonoma in zr2 trim. I've read in another forum that the axle nut is supposed to torque to 103 ft lbs, the bearing bolts 77 ft lbs. I've seen much higher numbers on earlier years for this truck. The bearings came in the box and the box actually said don't go over 103 ft lbs so I am suspecting this is the right settings for a 2003. I'm hoping to get some level of agreement here from someone who's got a 2003 version of the Sonoma or S-10 ZR2 trim. The cheap bearings were actually assembled overseas from US made parts so they migh not be too bad. At the price if they last 30K I'll be happy. What's a good repair manual for this truck? haynes/chilton or can I get factory? THANKS!