It only does it from time to time and is always on the highway never at city driving speeds. Sounds as though its coming from the drivers side. Its just a weird humming/howling sound that will go on for maybe 5 secs and then quite and sometimes does it a couple times on the way to and from work which is a 20 min drive. Just did the front brakes and repacked the bearings and made sure everything was lubed up nicely. Only thing i can think of would a bearing starting to go maybe? I will be taking a look fairly soon when i put the winter rims on it and see what it could be.

Did you set the bearing pre-load correctly? If you have the spingle nut a little to loose this could happen.

Are you for sure that it's coming from the front?

Yeh its definetly the front and coming from the drivers side. That was my guess that the nut isnt tight enough or is too tight. I know when i did them that i finger tightened them and backed it off slightly so tbere isnt any force on it which would make them wear quicker. Ill take a look this week when i get the snows on. Thanks Jay

Could also be tires if there is any cupping on the edge of the tread. With wheel bearings its usually the opposite side you think it is just the way sound travels I guess.

I agree...just changed a bearing on my Civic that I swear was my left front and it turned out to be the right side???

Listening more carefully this morning coming home from work i was trying to see if it was maybe the rear making the noise and it might very well be. Its very hard to tell and once you crack the window to see if you can here it on the highway you cant hear anything untill you close it. Just sucks its only happens for a few seconds and then disappears while you try and find out where its coming from or what it might be.

Once you hear it, try doing a little weaving. If its a bearing you'll likely hear it when turning one way or the other, which will also indicate what bearing it is thats going. Howling when turning left=right bearing and vice-versa.

Try to see if it happens when you are on the gas and let off it goes away. Could be a differential noise.

I just did the front bearings in mine a month ago when I did the brakes, they were pretty worn, but I didn't really have any noises.

Last winter I was getting a slight howling/humming when decelerating at low speeds.....ignored it for a bit, then one night on the highway at exactly 110km's I could hear a very high pitched whine....accelerating or decelerating made it go away, but if I kept it at 110 is would get really loud. Immediately got the differential flushed and filled with some amsoil synthetic, no noises since......Although, I probably should have done the fluid change at the first sign of noise.

BTW: Is the truck in question a ZQ8 with a two peice driveshaft?? I've heard the pinion gear on the differential can wear out and cause whining?

When i did the brakes the bearings seemed to be in great shape which is odd. Ill keep on it and see if i can track it down. It is a zq8 with 2 piece ds.

Turns out its actually the highway thats causing the issues. I was talking with my dad that drives the 401 every day and he said he has the same issues with the van. They just repaved the hwy from Whitby to Ajax and for some reason it must be something in the pavement making the tires hum or howl. Talked to my buddy on the phone yesterday and he actually said the same thing too which is funny but it does make me feel a heck of alot better knowing that its not my truck being the problem!

Thats good I've experienced the same thing in certain areas, especially on new pavement.....Also near the end of the 410 where it's like cement or something....that always sounds terrible.