Front Suspension Wheel Bearing problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated there was excessive noise in the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop where failure was found on the front wheel bearings. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the complete wheel bearing assembly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate current mileage was 29,744. The failure mileage was 26,955.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving he heard a very loud grinding noise in the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger side wheel bearing was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 71,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that when driving at unknown speeds; the front passengers side tire would wobble excessively. The dealer replaced the front passengers side wheel bearings. On a later date, while driving at unknown speeds, the contact stated that there was an unusual ticking noise coming from both sides of the wheel area. The left front tire then fractured from the vehicle. The contact was advised by an independent mechanic that the failure was contributed to the defective wheel bearings. The failure mileage was 31,200 and the current mileage was 32,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 45 mph, the front passenger side wheel bearing overheated and was replaced by the dealer. The dealer stated that it is only a matter of time before the other three wheel bearings fail because the manufacturer used defective material and grease. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 64,000.

Both right and left front wheel bearings/hubs failed within 2000 miles of each other, onset of problem was sudden from detection of gringing noise to wobble and possible lose of tire (approximately 3 miles) current mileage 59,500.

I am writing to report what I believe to be a critical problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. It is very likely, from what I have read from other owners reports, that the problem is not exclusive to the year 2006. It may well pertain to several other years for this model produced around the same time. I purchased a new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup in September of 2006. Only a short time after the 36,000 mile warranty ended I had to replace the wheel bearing assembly on the passengers side. The licensed mechanic replaced it with a universal bearing for a cost to me of $250. This was a much better price than other estimates I received. This occurred in 2008. After only 15 months, this same bearing had to be replaced again at another expense of $250. The mechanic determined in both instances that the damage was caused by extensive rust on the hubs of the assembly due to poor design of the system. The area where we live has an elevation of 4200 feet. We live along the spine of the appalachian mountains of northwestern north carolina, where the winters are quite severe with icy roads and therefore needing to be treated with salt during much of the winter months. This rust is leading to damage to the abs system or brake line as the salt gets into the bearing. This then is causing an unsafe condition in which a much longer stopping distance takes place when the brakes are applied. In addition, it causes a jerking or grabbing motion rather than the usually smooth movement of normal anti-locking braking systems. Today, for the third time since owning the truck, I have again had to replace one of the wheel-bearing assemblies. This time is was to the drivers side assembly which makes a replacement being needed twice to the passenger side wheel and once to the driver side wheel.