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Old 01-18-2010, 02:40 AM   #1
RKassl
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Front Wheel Bearing 2004 Chevy 2500HD

A couple months after our 6000 retirement trip, I noticed a vibration/clunk coming from the right front of the truck. I thought it was the intermediate shaft issue again but to my surprise I had a very bad front wheel bearing. They only replace the assembly as a unit which includes the sealed bearing, spindle, ABS components etc. $700.00. Has anyone else experience a front wheel bearing failure on their Chevy? There is not maintenance on the bearing because it is all sealed, anyway it is fixed now.
 
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Old 01-18-2010, 03:01 AM   #2
DHenry
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I recently took my 2002 in for what I thought was the intermediate shaft problem and after they did their inspection they found the right front wheel bearing problem along with the power steering hoses that needed replacement. $1200 repair. My truck is like new again.
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Old 01-18-2010, 09:00 AM   #3
PapaBeav
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We had the same problem about a year ago and had it replaced. I wonder if it will turn into a recall item.
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Old 01-18-2010, 12:02 PM   #4
garyka
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I had the same thing last year on my Chevy when I got to Florida and your in the ball park on the cost of the repair
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Old 01-18-2010, 01:28 PM   #5
8.1al
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Ours are still fine after 160,000 miles. Now that I've said that I guess one will go bad
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Old 01-18-2010, 01:41 PM   #6
Art-n-Marge
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You know, doesn't it seem like this maintenance free crap means that when it fails because you are unable to maintain it, that it will be big bucks!!!

So if you have a 2004.5 truck and it failed 5.5 years later that means a periodic inexpensive bearing lube job has turned into a $700 every five years replacement? Were both sides replaced? Did all parts of the assembly go bad and now you are also replacing good parts just to save some maintenance effort?

This kind of sucks to me.

btw - 8.1al, I think you have jinxed yourself, but I'll wish the best in luck to you. Doh! Now your luck is in double trouble - by you with your still-going-strong comment and me with wishing-you-luck.

I am not off the hook. I have a Ford - you know, "Found On Road Dead". But I like to think I maintain my truck better than most so my Ford is a "Fix or Replace Daily".
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Old 01-18-2010, 01:41 PM   #7
Devildog
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Parts for this repair are only about $250. and I replace them in less than an hour. Not a hard replacement at all.
I have replaced both of mine on my 2001. left side at 110,000 and the right side at 160,000. currently have 174,000 on my truck.
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Old 01-18-2010, 01:50 PM   #8
RKassl
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I am very happy that you can do this yourself so cheaply. Ok? Whats your point?
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Old 01-18-2010, 02:50 PM   #9
Montana Sky
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I had mine changed on my 04 Chevy at 136,000 & 143,000 miles.
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Old 01-19-2010, 12:37 AM   #10
Tom S.
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It is a fairly common repair after 70 or 80 thousand miles. One thing that can cause premature wear is oversize tires/wheels. There has been a lot of discussion about it on the various GM/Chevy truck boards. They are not hard to replace provided you have a fair selection of hand tools (no special wrenches are required), but beware of the replacement parts. A lot of parts places sell "lifetime" parts made in China (where else?). A friend of mine replaced three sets before they voided his lifetime warranty and gave him back his money.
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Old 01-19-2010, 07:10 AM   #11
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No Point made. Just normal to have these replaced, and parts are easy to get.
Was there another meaning to the original post?
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Old 01-19-2010, 10:35 AM   #12
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My right one went out on my 05 at 45,000 miles, They replaced both but I was lucky and bought an extended warranty no deductable. For once I did something right.
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Old 01-19-2010, 01:02 PM   #13
wild willy
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Both went out on our 2003. One in Louisiana the other near Sand Point Idaho. The one in Idaho cost twice as much to replace. Was told it's common in these trucks, no recall in sight.
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Old 01-20-2010, 12:59 AM   #14
DHenry
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So what are the symptoms of the bad bearing? I did not have any problems with the steering or any clunking in the wheel areas. I did have a noise in the steering column which turned out to be the steering pump hoses.
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Old 01-20-2010, 02:13 AM   #15
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DHenry

So what are the symptoms of the bad bearing? I did not have any problems with the steering or any clunking in the wheel areas. I did have a noise in the steering column which turned out to be the steering pump hoses.
Growling noise, especially when turning.
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Old 01-20-2010, 07:47 AM   #16
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So, are we talking only 4WD trucks? I haven't owned a 2WD truck since a 1973 Ford. Would I be wrong in assuming the 2WD GM products still use the serviceable bearings?

I had the dealer here in Aransas Pass replace both front bearings on the 04 GMC at a little over 1000 bucks. They started out with a screeching noise; I really thought the dust cover was dragging the brake disc on turns. When it got worse, I jacked the front wheel up and had probably 1/2" movement in the bearings. I was told there is a captive feature built in the bearing assy., and there is no danger of the wheel coming off.

I've pretty much given up the tools. Thought about tackling the bearings very briefly, but the specs I saw show torque values on some bolts over 300 ft lbs. No wrenches in the RV that will do that.
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Old 01-20-2010, 10:30 AM   #17
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A good way to test the bearing assembly, is the grab the wheel (while on a jack stand) and the 12 and 6 oclock position. jerk back and forth. If you have movement, even if you have no noise, then you have wear on the bearing and will need a change soon.
Jerking the tire and the 3 and 9 oclock position will allow you to check you pittman arm and idler arm. You may have a little movement (which is normal), but if you pittman or idler are bad, you will see the arm at the joint kind of roll over the joint.
My first bearing that went bad gave no growling or grinding noise, just occassionally would shake at freeway spees, as if a tie rod was going out. Tested it the way I described, and found that it was the problem. When I had the tire off, you could see the movement very easy, but is easier to test with the tire on.
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