Hi guys,

I am new to the forums and just picked up a 2002 1500 with 20's. It has Michelin LTX tires and I am noticing what I think is a tire hum at highway speeds. Pretty quiet when cruising the neighborhood, but somewhat annoying on the highway. Anyone have any idea what it could be? Is it normal to have noticeable road noise from these tires?

There is no shaking in the steering wheel and I just had the alignment checked yesterday.

If it's not the tires, what else could it be?

If it helps, here is the build sheet for the truck.

Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
Dark Slate Gray
Sport Group
Sport App. Group w/20" Whls & Tires
Security Group
Convenience Group
Monotone Paint
5.9L Engine(EML)/4Sp Auto Trans(DGT)
136 Amp Alternator
600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
4 Wheel Disc Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
Rear Folding Seat
Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts
Next Generation Front Air Bags**
Front Seat Area Carpet
Front Floor Mats
Passenger Assist Handle
Rear Underseat Compartment Storage
Overhead Console w/Trip Computer
All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
4-Spd. Automatic 46RE Transmission
Lock-Up Torque Converter
Man Shift-on-the-Fly Transfer Case
205MM HD Front Axle
3.92 Axle Ratio
Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
All Gas Engine
5.9L V8 MPI Engine
Tinted Glass Windows
Rear Sliding Window
Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away
All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
Air Conditioning
Dash Liner Insulation
Floor Tunnel Insulation
Instrument Cluster w/Tach
200 KPH Primary Speedometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Cigar Lighter
Dual Note Electric Horns
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Power Locks
Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
Glove Box Lamp
Underhood Lamp
Halogen Headlamps
Daytime Running Headlamps, High Beam
Fog Lamps
Cargo Lamp
Security Alarm
Body Color Front Bumper
Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads
Front License Plate Bracket
Body Color Grille
Black Windshield Moldings
Sport Badge
Dodge Badge
4X4 Badge
Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches
Front Bumper Sight Shields
Federal Emissions
EVAP Control System
26 Gallon Fuel Tank
Engine Block Heater
Speed Control
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat
All Radio Equipped Vehicles
AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio
Infinity Speakers
Fixed Long Mast Antenna
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
Power Rack and Pinion Steering
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Front Stabilizer Bar
Tilt Steering Column
Full Size Spare Tire
Tire Carrier Winch
P275/60R20 BSW All Season Tires
Goodyear Brand Tires
20X9.0 Aluminum Polished Wheels
20" Steel Spare Wheel
All Aluminum Wheels
Center Hub
Pickup Box
English/USA Language
Over Rail Box Bedliner
Without Billable Fuel
Spring - Left Rear
Spring - Left Front
Spring - Right Rear
Spring - Right Front

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

 

Mine hum some with these tires I have now, it didn't before.
I don't mind though.

 

What kind of tires (exactly) are on the rims?

 

Michelin LTX's are pretty mild tires and shouldnt hum that much at all. My guess would be the rear diff...check the fluid level for starters.

 

maybe balance and rotate the tires? is the tread ware even? broken belt?

 

The noise is coming from the front. I am going to try rotating the fronts to the rear and see what happens. The fronts have some wear on them (inside), but I hope the alignment solved that issue.

 

My neighbour thinks it could be a wheel bearing (based on what I told him). What can I do to check this?

 

ask the shop to check them when u get the alignment done...

 

The alignment was already done a couple of days ago, when I noticed the uneven wear on the front tires.

 

The saga continues. I went to get the tires balanced this morning, but they couldn't do it because some technicians called in sick, etc. So, I came hoke and rotated all of the tires to see if that made any differrence...and it didn't.

Still the same noise, which I noticed on slowing down that it sounds like a rotating "whooomp, whooomp, whooomp" noise which, as I go faster, gets very constant.

Would that describe a bad wheel bearing? Also, does the whole axle shaft need to be replaced to replace the bearing?