Noise Diagnosis - Front Suspension

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado, and 2003 GMC Sierra. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Step	Action	Yes	No
DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the front of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the front suspension.
1	Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections?	Go to Step 2	Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis
2	Attempt to duplicate the condition. Road test the vehicle. Did you duplicate the condition?	Go to Step 3	System OK
3	Is the noise reactive to vehicle load or speed?	Go to Step 4	Go to Step 7
4	Inspect the tires for the following conditions: Proper tire inflation and adjust as necessary Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication. Unusual tire wear Refer to Vibration Analysis - Tire and Wheel in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction. Inspect the wheel nuts for looseness and tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tire and Wheels. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 5
5	Inspect the front wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis . Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 6
6	Inspect for front axle noises. Refer to Symptoms - Front Drive Axle in Front Drive Axle. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 7
7	Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Did you duplicate the noise?	Go to Step 8	Go to Step 9
8	Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. Inspect the front suspension components for looseness. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications . Inspect the front suspension components for damage and repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 9
9	Install the J 39570 chassis ear or equivalent. Bounce the front of the vehicle, using the J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. If necessary, road test the vehicle. Repair or replace any damaged components as necessary. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 10
10	Inspect the ball joints and steering components for the following conditions. Lack of lubrication where applicable Looseness in the ball joints Refer to Ball Joint Inspection (Lower Ball Joint) Ball Joint Inspection (Upper Ball Joint) . Looseness in the steering linkage Refer to Steering Linkage Inspection (Steering Linkage Inspection)Steering Linkage Inspection (Idler Arm Inspection) in Steering Linkage (Non-Rack and Pinion). Looseness in the tie rods Refer toTie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage (Non-Rack and Pinion) orRack and Pinion Inner Tie Rod Replacement in Power Steering. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 11
11	Inspect for damaged shock absorbers. Refer to Struts or Shock Absorbers On-Vehicle Testing . Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 12
12	Inspect the front stabilizer shaft and stabilizer shaft links for damage and repair as necessary. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement or Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	Go to Step 13
13	Inspect for control arm damage and repair as necessary. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD)Lower Control Arm Replacement (4WD) and Upper Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension. Did you find and correct the condition?	Go to Step 14	-
14	Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?	System OK	Go to Step 3