Author Topic: Diagnosing noise/hum  (Read 3784 times)

Offline cwest

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Diagnosing noise/hum
« on: July 04, 2015, 03:17:23 pm »
86' K20.  I've got maybe a couple hundred miles on a fresh rebuilt SM465.  Rest of truck normal mileage for it's age, with rebuilt 350 about 60K ago.  I'm starting to notice a hum, almost like the sound mud tires make on pavement, but I have street tires.  It starts at about 10-15 MPH, and continues to rise in pitch until its almost inaudible around 65MPH.  From the cockpit it sounds like its coming from the front end, area, but it's really hard to tell.  The hubs aren't locked so nothing is turning with the front end, I've felt the brakes after long trips and they're cool to the touch, nothing in the engine bay seems to be overly hot or out of sorts.  This is my first truck of this model, so I'm not sure what noises are just personality, and what noises I need to worry about.  It's def drive train as it increases with speed.  Any thoughts?
86' Chevy K20
350/SM465/np208

08' Silverado 1500 4X4 WT

Offline pneuner750

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Re: Diagnosing noise/hum
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2015, 02:27:44 pm »
I had the same problem! The throw out bearing was shot. I had the clutch replaced, trans rebuilt. Mine is not four wheel drive. I Hope this might help.

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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Diagnosing noise/hum
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2015, 02:43:34 pm »
does it change when you press in the clutch?
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline pneuner750

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Re: Diagnosing noise/hum
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2015, 03:15:29 pm »
Definitely! Half way in it sounded like it was going to blow up.  It never gave any warning.  The truck barely made it to the shop.  I live in Phoenix,  I hope this helps.  Is it possible the transfer case is shot?

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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Diagnosing noise/hum
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2015, 04:17:37 pm »
does sound like a clutch/bearing issue
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Don5

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Re: Diagnosing noise/hum
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2015, 10:34:39 pm »
It is probably the throwout bearing. It might also be the pilot bushing spinning in the flywheel too. If it wasn't replaced or a used one put back in, it will spin until it heats up. It will do this until one day it will expand and catch. The noise will stop then. If it is a throwout bearing, the noise will never stop. If you take it apart replace everything then you will know that it has been done correctly. :)
It's been a LONG time since I have been called a newbie. Just sayin....

1979 GMC K15 355, SM 465, 205, 3.73 Dana 44 with a Spartan Locker, 12 bolt Eaton limited slip and 6 inch lift with 36 x 12.50 Super Swamper TSL's.

Offline cwest

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Re: Diagnosing noise/hum
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2015, 02:27:28 pm »
Well, the hum went away for a while, then I noticed it come back on a long freeway trip when I was going around an on ramp, so I'm thinking wheel bearing or something front suspension.  Nothing seems to be heating up, so I'll just keep and eye on it.  However.. All this pilot bearing talk I think caused a pilot bearing issue:)  I am now getting a chirp from that region.  The chirp happens when the clutch pedal is completely out, I can then put the smallest amount of pressure on the clutch pedal and it goes away.  I'm thinking the forks on the pressure plate are just barely touching the pilot bearing and causing a little chirp when disengaged.  Does this sound like the case or is my pilot bearing actually going bad after 500ish miles?  And is there a way to adjust the forks and pilot bearing away form each other by a milliliter?
86' Chevy K20
350/SM465/np208

08' Silverado 1500 4X4 WT