[justdande]

Hello all. I've been an Equinox owner since Oct. 2004. It's a 2005 LT with 103,000 miles and I've been extremely fortunate to not have had any problems/issues other than headlights, new rotors, brakes and tires. I took a trip at Christmas (about 250 miles one way) and since the drive home it's been making a noise that sounds like the humming of large tires (like you're in a Jeep Wrangler). You can start to hear it at 35 mph and gets louder as you drive faster. It doesn't rev with the gas pedal, it only happens when you're in motion. I took it in to the shop but they couldn't figure out the problem or where the noise was coming from. But I did have 3 tires with broken steel belts, bought 4 new tires and NO, the new tires didn't resolve it. I don't know what to do next.....other than go to another shop to get their feedback. Any ideas or similar experiences?
thanks...justdande (or so I wish)

 

[Terra-Nox]

Just a guess, but perhaps a wheel bearing. Also a guess but because it starts at reasonable speed perhaps a rear wheel. Does the tone change when going over bump (or rise that flexs suspwnsion) or perhaps turning?

 

[justdande]

I haven't noticed but will pay attention to that on my way home today. thanks.

 

[NoobNox]

Could be something to do with the AWD transfer case? Also you mentioned that you had 3 tires replaced....could the one tire that wasn't replaced be the culprit?

edit- never mind about the tires, I see you bought 4 new ones.

 

[daequinox]

Have you checked the tire pressure for each tire?

 

[Old Lar]

Check the tires and tire tread to see if the tread is scalloped..worn unevenly. If they are worn from some suspension issues, they can make the noise you describe.

 

[NoobNox]

Check the tires and tire tread to see if the tread is scalloped..worn unevenly. If they are worn from some suspension issues, they can make the noise you describe.

He has a new set of tires...might be too late to check the old ones.

 

[gar187er]

id be willing to bet the wheel bearings.....mine have been shot for sometime now (70k)...

your quite fortunate to have made it this far without having them need to be replaced...many many owners complain about needing to get them done every 30-40k....

if it gets louder as you speed up (over 15-20mph) then kind of levels off at some point...its gonna be your bearings....the whole hub assembly runs about 130-170 a side.....not cheap....ill be tackling mine in my driveway in the next few weeks....

 

[Sunriseseast]

I would agree with the others here that suggested a wheel bearing (hub) problem. I'm surprised your garage didn't find the problem!

I have a 2006 LT....my first bearing problem started at ~ 80k. At first I suspected a bad tire or an alignment issue but after about two weeks of the noise getting worse a trip to my local garage proved what I was starting to think.....conclusion was the right front bearing was bad. My local price for replacement is between $130 and $189 if I do it myself.

Just my .02, but from experience normally I try not to buy the cheapest (if you can call $130 cheap) one available.

Hope this helps.