You thought that it was going to be a normal driving day with your Chevy Silverado. But driving the pickup truck only greeted you with a humming noise. Now you're wondering what's wrong with the vehicle. We researched this concern for you and here's what we found.
A humming noise emanating from a Chevy Silverado can come from different origins. Some possible suspects for this sound are:
- Bad brake calipers
- Loose axle bolts
- Loose serpentine belt
- Water block leak
- Fuel pump malfunction
- Worn tires
Take note that knowing the causes of this noise is only the first part of the repair process. So continue reading as we talk about these underlying issues in greater detail. We’ll also tackle some possible solutions that may help remove the humming sound from your Chevy Silverado.
Why Does My Chevy Silverado Sound Like It's Humming?
Normally, the humming sound coming from your Chevy Silverado is because of the fuel pump working as the vehicle starts. But an underlying issue may cause this noise to appear randomly. Sometimes it might not even go away while you’re driving the pickup truck.
Some of the possible culprits for the humming are:
Bad Brake Calipers
Brake calipers generally function to help in supporting the brake pads as you step on the brake pedal. These components may wear out over time, which might be the cause of the humming noise emanating from your Chevy Silverado.
Aside from the humming sound, other signs of failing brake calipers are:
- Increased heat within and around the Silverado’s brakes.
- Brake fluid leaks as the damaged calipers may also lead to damaging pistons.
- Inconsistent braking performance.
- Excessive brake dust is visible on the Silverado's brakes.
Keep in mind that ignoring these signs may lead to irreparable harm to the Chevy Silverado’s brake system. If that event happens, don’t drive the pickup truck to avoid accidents and injuries.
Watch the video below for additional insights into diagnosing your vehicle’s brake calipers if you need to replace them:
Loose Axle Bolts
Axle bolts are fasteners generally used to secure a vehicle’s U-joints. These parts can loosen over time, which might also lead to the humming sound. If the problem persists, it can harm the wheel bearing.
Loose Serpentine Belt
Generally, the serpentine belt works by supplying the power to the alternator, AC compressor, and other systems on your Chevy Silverado. But a faulty belt tensioner can loosen the serpentine belt. The result is the humming sound that you're hearing from within the truck.
This component may be the cause of the humming noise if the racket appears as soon as the vehicle’s engine starts. Also, it might not go away until you disengage the engine.
Water Block Leak
A leak in the water pump assembly can also be a possible suspect to a Silverado’s humming sound. Keep in mind that a vehicle’s water pump functions by moving water around the radiator to help cool it. Failure to repair the water leak may also lead to other problems, such as the engine overheating.
Fuel Pump Malfunction
As its name implies, the fuel pump is an assembly with the responsibility of sending gas from a reservoir to the engine. However, a faulty fuel pump may find it difficult to send the gas. This issue can be the result of a blockage that’s preventing the gas from escaping from the fuel container properly.
The humming sound may persist if you leave this problem alone. Failure to fix this issue might also lead to further concerns like:
- Dead engine
- Low fuel economy
- Engine surge
- Poor engine performance
- Engine overheating
Worn Tires
Good-quality pickup truck tires should last about 10,000 to 20,000 miles before they show signs of wear and tear. After that period, you may hear your tires squeaking, which you might also describe as a humming sound. Replacing your worn tires with new units may eliminate this racket.
Also, your Silverado’s tires can wear out faster than normal if they have:
- Misaligned wheels
- Improper rotation
- Faulty brake and/or suspension system
Bear in mind that poor driving habits can also cause the tires to wear out faster than usual. For example, forcing your Chevy Silverado to drive through rough and uneven terrain frequently will increase its risks of encountering problems.
How Do Your Replace The Brake Caliper On A Chevy Silverado?
Perhaps your Chevy Silverado’s brake calipers are the reason for the strange humming sound. If so, follow these steps to replace these assemblies with new models:
What You’ll Need
- Socket wrench set
- Replacement brake caliper kit
Step-by-Step Guide
Step #1: Raise The Vehicle
You have two options for this step:
- Use the jack that should be in a compartment under the back seat, or
- Purchase a car lift to raise the pickup truck and make it parallel to the ground.
The first choice may not require you to spend any extra cash. But the Silverado will be in a lopsided position. On the other hand, the second option is a safer option, although buying a car lift may not be ideal if you’re following a strict budget.
Step #2: Remove The Wheel Assembly
Use the socket wrench to remove the lug nut cover from the wheel assembly. Take out the lug nut casing afterward and set it aside temporarily.
Then, proceed to remove the lug nuts from the wheel. Lift and pull the wheel from its mount after taking out all of its lug nuts.
Step #3: Remove The Brake Caliper
Remove the bolts securing the caliper from its mount. Next, slide the caliper cover out of the way before removing the brake pads.
Use the appropriate socket wrench size to take out the mounting bolts on the caliper bracket. Pull out the caliper mounting bracket afterward.
Step #4: Install The New Brake Caliper
Generally, you often only need to follow the previous steps in reverse order for the installation of the new brake caliper unit. But ensure that the new caliper is secure before returning the assemblies and parts, such as the mounting bracket and the wheel.
Step #5: Test The New Caliper
With the components secure, lower the vehicle to the ground carefully. Then, give your Chevy Silverado a test drive to check if the humming noise persists.
Check out this replacement brake caliper set on Amazon.
Note: You don’t need to replace all the brake calipers on your Silverado for this operation. Reduce the effort, money, and time needed for this procedure by figuring out which brake caliper is at fault. Then, focus your attention on that specific assembly.
The video below will show you a visual representation of the steps mentioned above:
Also, watch this clip if you need help in finding the jack in a Chevy Silverado:
Do Chevy Silverados Have A Lot Of Problems?
Chevy Silverados aren’t usually problematic pickup trucks. In particular, only a fairly small amount of users reported their Silverado models to have serious issues. Some of these concerns are:
- Faulty fuel injector
- Bad control arm assembly
- Bad brake caliper
- Headlight bulb malfunction
Chevy Silverado owners may need to prepare about $139 to $4,920 to fix these problems. Still, the average maintenance cost to care for this particular vehicle model is approximately $301.
Final Words
A range of suspects can be responsible for the humming sound coming from a Chevy Silverado. Some of these potential culprits include bad brake calipers, a loose serpentine belt, or worn tires. Make sure to troubleshoot your vehicle to find the source of this sound. That way, you can apply the correct repair and/or replacement techniques to eliminate the racket.
Check out these other great reads if you’re looking for solutions for other truck problems:
