2005 GMC Yukon noise issue

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 10:13 am

Earlier this year I got a good deal on a 2005 Yukon SLE 5.3L with 84,000 miles. Since then I have been working with the small issues that comes with any used vehicle especially an 11 year old vehicle.

There is one issue I can't figure out. I have even search the internet and can't find anything that fits the issue I'm having.

There is a squealing/squeaking noise coming from the vehicle. Hard to pin point exactly where but definitely coming from the front half of the vehicle. Here is the kicker. The noise only happens when the vehicle is in motion and seems to be more prevalent during wet weather. The noise is comparable to a squealing belt or even a shot pulley.

I can't seem to make the sound happen however it happened once while sitting in a parking lot when I was turning the wheel left and right. Could it be something with a steering component??

I have replaced both belts, tensioner, and idler pulley assembly. Just today I noticed the PS fluid is a little low but nothing alarming.

Any ideas or if someone has experienced the same thing any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Matt

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Post by **Stuka** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 10:40 am

Most likely a front CV, assuming the brakes are fine. Could also be a u-joint, but less likely as thats not a sound worn ones typically make.

But if it only happens when moving, it leads me to think something that only rotates when moving. So brakes and CVs come to mind.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 10:41 am

Interesting. A CV or u-joint can make a high pitch squeal type of sound? It definitely is not a rubbing sound.

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REDONE · Post by **REDONE** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 10:59 am

I'm not for positive but isn't your power steering pump way down low on the drivers side? I'd be really surprised if a belt squeal type noise wound up not being belt squeal. I tried looking up your belt routing and another thing I see in my search is there are two different configurations, and one has the AC compressor down low on the passenger side. If by any chance when you say "wet weather" you also mean "cold weather" where you would be running your defroster (defrosters run the air conditioning to dry out the air) it could also be that.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:02 am

The 5.3L has two belts as you mentioned and I have replaced both. Noise happens with or without the hvac system turned on.

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Post by **Stuka** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:37 am

msh227 wrote:Interesting. A CV or u-joint can make a high pitch squeal type of sound? It definitely is not a rubbing sound.

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A CV can definitely make a squeal, but only when moving. And in most cases when turning, but not alway. May be worth jacking the front end up and just spinning a tire by hand, see how it feels and sounds. U-Joints don't make that sound unless they are extremely bad, which I doubt yours would be with so few miles.

The only when moving part is what makes me think its not belt related.

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:00 pm

Having owned a yukon ...my money is on the front unitized bearing...easy to change

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 4:46 am

Have you experienced this same noise? I have had wheel bearings go on other vehicles and it has always been a rubbing noise not squeaking/squealing.

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j20brett · Post by **j20brett** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:21 am

Its the harmonic balancer/crank pulley. My 01 chevy with 5.3l did the same thing. Its not hurting anything, just annoying. Search the ls forums for more info.

Nikkormat · Post by **Nikkormat** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:23 pm

Going to sound weird but I had the very same noise on my 04 Sierra.

The backing plate for the parking brake gets rusty, bubbles, and contacts the rear rotor. Noise changes with braking, temperature, and 2wd-4wd. Took me a year to find the issue. GM trained technician buddy recommend I take some emry cloth too it when I was doing the rear brakes. And the noise was gone.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 5:19 am

So I took the Yukon to my local mechanic (who worked as a master GM tech for 20 years) and he is thinking it is either the Hydroboost or the power steering. I'm going to drive it for another week or two and try to pinpoint exactly when the noise occurs and let him take another look at it. No charge for his time yesterday but this is sounding like it will cost me $400+ if it is one of these items. [UNAMUSED FACE]

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az chip · Post by **az chip** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:44 am

Just for giggles jack the front end, grab the wheels at 12 and 6 and try rocking them.

j20brett · Post by **j20brett** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:05 am

Does it make the noise while not moving?

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:25 am

It made the noise once when sitting in a parking lot and I was turning wheel left and right to try and get it to make noise.

I have siphoned out 2 qts of power steering fluid over the past week or so and have found the fluid is burnt black and smells awful. Worked in two fresh quarts of ATF (some purists might disagree with my choice of ATF) and the pump sounds better and the vibration in the steering wheel has gone away. However, I still have the squeal.

I'm going to siphon another quart or two out to make sure I have all fresh fluid. I'm debating about replacing the ps pump and pulley.

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msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:28 am

I also forgot to mention that I had the truck at the mechanic again and he checked all the mechanical steering components, front diff, front hubs and they are all good to go. He wasn't sure where noise is coming from. Hence the idea to check ps fluid and maybe have a second opinion on it.

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j20brett · Post by **j20brett** » Wed May 04, 2016 10:35 am

http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-ii ... aling.html

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Wed May 04, 2016 11:44 am

Brett thanks for posting the link. I'll remove my A/C belt this week and see if I notice any difference.

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