Questions and Answers

Whining Chevrolet Silverado Q. Sir: I have a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, 4.8, 2WD, automatic transmission, extended cab, 43,000 miles, EFI, ABS, P/S, A/C and cruise. I have an audible whine noticable while driving. The transmission broke down on this vehicle at 37,000 miles (1,000 miles out of warranty) and I assumed that there was a continuing problem with the transmission.

I returned it to Lee Myles where I had the transmission rebuilt. They rechecked parts and told me I have a wheel bearing noise. I stopped at the parts store to pick up bearings, races, and dust covers. There were none listed.

Much of my current dilemma revolves around the lack of manuals for this new of a vehicle. In pulling a front wheel I find that the hub for the bearings is a sealed unit which looks a great deal more like a rear housing than a front.

Through further investigation I find that these front wheel bearing housings are a $200.00 item from GM. My current questions are several:

1. The owner's manual lists a lubricant for this front wheel hub. Is it drainable/fillable?
2. Is there an English translation of the recommended fluid? I assume it to be more like a differential fluid which bathes the bearings?
3. Have there been recalls or service advisories on either the bearings or transmissions? (I was amazed at the number/cost of the throw away parts in the transmission)
4. Do you have shematics, knowledge of the designated fluid?
5. Should I attempt to drain and refill or just spring for the new housing?

I have done much of my own work on vehicles for some time; I find this modularization to be profitable for only the manufacturer. I understand the convenience in a collision situation however I assume that most drivers make it through the life of the automobile without such collision. I always exceed 150,000 miles on my vehicles with several at twice that; the need for an "improvement" on the pinned spindle bearing housing escapes me!

Thank you,
John

A. First, you need to make sure where the noise is coming from. If it is a front bearing, the service manual states that is a sealed unit, lubed for life. The only repair is to replace it. This "hub bearing" also contains a wheel speed sensor for the ABS.

A front hub bearing noise can usually be diagnosed by driving it down the road and turning back and forth at the speed that it's at it's loudest. The loading that the turning puts on it should make the noise be more noticable in one direction more than the other.