Note to GM Lovers
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=177725
Printed Date: 10 Sep 2025 at 7:40am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Note to GM Lovers
Posted By: Tbone95
Subject: Note to GM Lovers
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:10am
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What a deal. Most, uh...., "interesting" of bearing failures. 2001 Sierra. When the front wheel bearings fail, no howl, no growl, no whine, no sign, then BANG. Then crunch-grind-glitch-growl-crunch and you better get your butt to the garage before your wheel falls off. Right front happened a few years ago. Was turning into the driveway and BANG, literally a WTF was that moment and then it feels like your wheel is trying to climb a curb. This time, left front, was backing out of parking spot at farm in straight line. BANG! WTF? I thought / it seemed, maybe something with the 4wd solenoid or something. Nope, wheel bearing. This time, it took out the brakes and CV joint and the mechanic said the wheel was nearly ready to completely come off. Strange. Every other vehicle I've had, there's always a notice of a wheel bearing going bad. For the most part, it's a nice truck. Tailgate and rear bumper have rotted to nothing several years ago, but it runs and drives nice. |
Replies:
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:28am
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hmm.. gal from Sarnia(2+hrs) came to pickup some parts.... left rear tire was held on by TWO studs !! Other 4 were MIA !! Newer F150.... she was going to take 'back roads' home...hope she made it. ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: ac hunter
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 9:08am
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As I recall there were quite a few front wheel bearing failures on some GM pickups back in that era. Knew several folks that had that problem as well as myself. Had one go bad in western North Dakota. Had it towed over 50 miles to the dealer in Dickinson. They had the bearing in stock and we were back on the road in a couple of hours, minus over $900.00 including the tow. The tow truck operator called the dealership on the way and when we got there he literally drove right in the shop without stopping. Had the other side go bad at home a few months later and the local shop charged almost the same as we experienced in ND. We have had several automotive issues on vacations over the years and never thought we were gouged by anyone. Had to replace two tires on a car once in Missouri and were charged less than the identical tires would have cost here in Ohio.
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Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 1:13pm
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2000 GMC - 40,000 miles both front wheel bearing went bad - had went into dealer for a recall on powers steering pump and tail gate cable - next thing shop foreman comes over and says I should replace both front wheel bearings or have truck towed home . Their cost was 4 times higher for each unit than what I paid for them - at my local supplier - and labor cost don't even want to mention that . ------------- Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 1:31pm
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So Coke, you had no indication they were going bad? I've got ~119k on the truck, so no gripes about miles on the bearing....just sudden catastrophic failure is my beef. The day before, I was in the middle of BFE delivering hay. Had I broke down then I would have really been screwed, yet not a peep or wobble out of it going 60mph down the road. Tailgate cables, yeah, recall, and then have replaced several times since. Wonderful quality. But at least now the whole tailgate is gone, so no worries! 
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Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 1:34pm
Gee, I thought all these bearings were 'lifetime ' lubricated like U-joints ???? ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 1:45pm
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They are jay! For the lifetime of the bearing!
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Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 2:15pm
On a 2001 you say? makes me glad that every vehicle I own is over 30 years old and the ones I drive the most are over 70 years old. They were built better back then,  not just good enough to outlast the warranty  From what I've heard from some people, the auto-makers would rather lease one nowadays rather than sell one  Everyone should read the book "Rivethead" that was written by an assembly line worker at a GM plant. You'll never buy another new vehicle again.
------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: farmboy520
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 2:18pm
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Had a 2004 GMC at work that the right front bearing went first. I could tell there was something going on because the steering going down the road was not as tight. ------------- On the farm: Agco Allis 9695, 7060, 7010, R66, Farmall H, and Farmall F20 (Great Grandpa's) |
Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 2:42pm
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Nope no telltale noise, wobble, or other so called notice of failure . Then on way home driving it I heard all kinds of things (imagined) and ended up ordering new units the next day . bought new rotors also as a package - still running the stock ones though as existing were still good . Same as with the ABS sensors - used the old ones even though new came with kit - so now the ABS valve unit is bad - but brakes work and cost of replacing the ABS module is almost over value of truck . ------------- Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel. |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:41pm
| 60 years ago, Dad and I were going home on the WD45, turned in the driveway, he stopped and I got off to open the gate. As I walked by the front of the tractor, the left front wheel fell off, bearings went out. Absolutely no indication they were bad. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:54pm
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I drive mostly FORD trucks, and kids have a couple FORD cars also. i have probably replace a dozen front wheel bearing / hubs in the last 20 years. Normal life is 80- 150K miles... normally more in the 120- 130 range... All but one have started to SQUEEK or hum prior to failure. Normally you get 2-300 miles notice.. Only had ONE that failed without giving notice first............ Never heard that was common on the Chevy.
My experience is that they run dry of grease and then you get the HUM or minor vibration. I have taken several off that "turned hard" or squeeked, but bearing had little if any clearance. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 8:09pm
| My 2000 GMC has 430000 on the wheel bearings. |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 11:35pm
| Well,you've done it now! |
Posted By: tadams(OH)
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 10:53am
| Better jack it up and repack if they are repackable |
Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 4:48pm
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Yes sir I reckon I did. I had the front end rebuilt a couple years ago. They said they were fine. |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 5:57pm
4x4 ?? Are you only talking about rear axle bearings ?? I've never heard of RA bearings failing
 ?? |
Thad in AR. wrote:Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2021 at 6:17pm
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I’m talking about the front wheel bearings. Not common on the ones that run wet but rears do go out., I call them axle bearings. |
Posted By: Mactractor
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2021 at 12:00am
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Had failures on the light front ends in Blazer/Tahoe which I guess are the same as K1500. The old K30's we ran which had Dana 60 front never gave any trouble. |