[Cyberbriar]

I searched the other threads and finally decided to ask......

2002 Escalade Base

I have a roar coming from what seems like the left front starting about 25MPH. I can't hear it when I lean into the center so I assume it is the left front.

It gets louder as I accelerate, or turn either direction and quieter when I decelerate and sometimes when I hit bumps at speed.

18 months ago the left front bearing hub was replaced (at the dealer. $750). 12 months ago the front diff was rebuilt (with new bearings but no gears. $1800), at the dealer. And last week, I replaced the upper and lower ball joints.

I am lead to believe it may be the ring and pinion because the speed changes the noise. However, I hate to replace the differential if it is a CV joint or something else.

Any ideas before I take it back to the dealer for a diagnosis?

Thanks for any thoughts or ideas that you may have.

 

[the cadillac man]

Sounds like a bearing either a wheel bearing or the differential bearing is bad

 

[Skier-24]

I am lead to believe it may be the ring and pinion because the speed changes the noise.

Turns don't have much effect on the ring and pinion but do on front wheel bearings. That is where I would be looking. New hub could have been a defect.
A buddy of mine went through several hubs on his Toyota.

 

[Silver04]

I agree with @skier-24. Any type of CEL coming on? A front hub is very straight forward and simple install. A Timken part on ebay is ~$125 and with the help of a handy friend you could be done in an hour.

 

[Cyberbriar]

I was thinking that if it were a bearing that is would only make a noise turning one direction?

Well poo.... I just had that left front hub off 2 weeks ago when I replaced the ball joints but didn't notice a grumbling or slop when I had it in the air.

 

[the cadillac man]

I was thinking that if it were a bearing that is would only make a noise turning one direction? Well poo.... I just had that left front hub off 2 weeks ago when I replaced the ball joints but didn't notice a grumbling or slop when I had it in the air.

They can fool you at times

 

[Cyberbriar]

***UPDATE***

Took it back to the dealer today to have them look at it since they did all the other work....
They seem to think it is a bearing but don't know which one. And since there is no warranty left, they wan't to just throw parts at it.... They want to do the left front hub first... $418 for the part and $175 to install it...

I told them to stuff it where the sun doesn't shine, came home and ordered the hub assy w/a lifetime warranty for $50 and will install it myself.

If that is not the problem, the dealer wants to rebuild the front diff again at the tune of $1600. I told them to stuff that too... I found a Silverado front diff on Craigslist for $150 and will just stick the whole thing in if I have to.

 

[the cadillac man]

The Silverado diff won't work as they are different inside
Why?
The silverado is part time four wheel drive where as the escalade is full time all wheel drive

The front diff in the Silverado is electronic disconnect and won't work with the escalade as it expects a non disconnecting diff

 

[godsdiablo]

Unless you had the computer reprogrammed I've seen them do that on duramax diesel escalade conversion

 

[the cadillac man]

Unless you had the computer reprogrammed I've seen them do that on duramax diesel escalade conversion

True

 

[Cyberbriar]

Well poo.... I read someplace where the 99-06 Silverado diffs were the same...

What differentials will fit an 02 Escalade?

 

[the cadillac man]

Well poo.... I read someplace where the 99-06 Silverado diffs were the same... What differentials will fit an 02 Escalade?

The Yukon Denali uses the same differential as the escalade
The diff is the same from 02-06

 

[Cyberbriar]

Another Update......

I replaced the wheel bearing/hub assy on the left front and still making that noise.....

This may be a stupid question but since the front diff was already rebuilt 16 months ago.... is there any possibility that it could be a U-joint in the front shaft?
Can I remove the front shaft and still drive it?

Thanks for any input you can give.
Bob

 

[the cadillac man]

Replace the u joints as they are cheaper then you think

No you can't drive the truck with the front drive shaft removed as it would damage the transfer case in no time

 

[bigirb2002]

the silverado diff will work all u have to do is take your passenger axle and housing off you awd diff and place it on the silverado diff ive done this twice at the recommendation of a dealer. the only difference in the 4x4 diff is in the axle housing the axle is split in 2 and have a mechanism to engage both sides of the axle. all that pulls right out. when u put you awd shaft and housing on the axle slides right into the diff making it awd. the axle dont even need a c clip to hold it in on a 4x4 diff.

 

[the cadillac man]

^ that sounds like a great idea
I will keep that in mind if my diff ever gives me trouble