2500HD 4WD - front end rotational noise?

[siggy]

2003 Duramax CC 4WD, had tires with 50K+ miles on them (BFG A/T) and thought for sure they were the source of the loud waw-waw-waw noise when rolling, very noticable at 25-35 mph. Goes silent only when going through a moderate right hand curve then returns. Installed new tires and the noise remains exactly the same. I have a road trip coming up in 7 days, not a lot of time to do any rookie diagnosis. 85K on the truck, no problems to date. Would appreciate any well founded suggestions. Wheel bearings? Front 4WD axles?

John

[siggy]

No input from anyone, oh well. My rookie guess on this is wheel bearings. So, part # 015225770 (dealer list $392.98) which is the sealed hub/bearing unit with speed sensor, and the 36mm axle nut #011609826 (list $4.00) will be installed in a bit here, glad the dealer had them in stock. The part numbers might be helpful to others with wheel bearing noise. I hope I am correct on the one side is needed (right side?), as this is hands down the most expensive wheel bearing maintenance I've encountered. Parts are for 2003 HD CC 4WD...

[siggy]

Problem solved, but with twice the labor. Put the new assy on the RF, noise remained. The removed hub, to the eye and feel was fine. Re-installed the used RF onto the LF, that was it. Those caliper bolts indeed are ...tight. snapped a conventional 21mm socket when using a cheater bar, impact socket was the ticket.

[REDTRUCK05]

Glad you have it resolved. I have had an issue of a vibration or a humming sound in my 05 2500 HD at or around 50-55 mph from day one. My wife did not feel it at first, but with 18500 now, she too feels it. It seems to be worse" and getting worse"under light acceleration at or around 50-55 mph in 2 wheel drive.

[TNeustadt]

I had noticed a noise while turning a hard left, didn't think much of it until I brought the truck in for rotation and alignment. Got a call saying the right front wheel moves 2" top to bottom. Went to shop and sure enough, wheel bearing hub gone bad. This movement made the pitman arm go bad also, both replaced w/labor was around $750, I'll be checking them at every oil change now...

[kerryw]

check u joints

[HH]

wheel bearing hub gone bad. This movement made the pitman arm go bad also, both replaced w/labor

I doubt the wheel bearing caused your pitman arm to go bad. It may have been bad, but probably due to miles and/or lack of grease.