Truck Sounds Like Driving Over Rumble Strips – Why And What To Do?

If you notice that your truck sounds like you're driving over a rumble, you may be wondering about the cause of the issue and how you can fix it. Luckily, we have done the legwork for you, and here is what we found.

Problems like a worn tire, faulty wheel bearing, defective brake rotor, damaged wheel, and bad strut can cause a truck to sound like it is being driven over rumble strips. Here are things you can do to tackle the issue:

  • Locate the source of the sound
  • Replace worn tires
  • Check the wheel, bearing, and struts
  • Contact a mechanic

It is recommended to deal with this problem as soon as you can to prevent further damage. Keep reading to get detailed information about how to stop the sound.

GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 pickup truck. With supply issues GMC is buying and selling used and pre owned vehicles to meet demand, Truck Sounds Like Driving Over Rumble Strips - Why And What To Do?

Why Does My Truck Sound Like Driving Over Rumble Strips?

GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation pickup truck display. GMC is a division of GM and offers the Sierra 1500 in Limited and SLT models.

The following are common reasons why your truck sounds like driving over rumble strips:

Worn Tire

Tires that are bad are more likely to make noises like rumble strips because the contact between the road and uneven tires isn't uniform. While driving, tires make a lot of noise that may sound like you are driving over a rumble strip because of the uneven tread depths. 

In most cases, this sound caused by uneven wear will originate from one of the tires on the vehicle. Additionally, alignment problems might sometimes produce these tire noises.

Defective Brake Rotor

When you press the brake pedal, the rotors in the brakes work in conjunction with the brake pads to bring your vehicle to a safe halt. When you apply pressure to the brakes, the rotor will begin to revolve along with the wheel.

If the brake rotors on your vehicle are worn out or damaged (warped, gouged, or fractured), they will create a variety of sounds - including a sound that is similar to that produced while driving over rumble strips.

Damaged Wheel And Bearing

As is the case with the vast majority of components found in automobiles, the wheel bearing is subject to wear and tear over time and may eventually require replacement.

One sign that the wheel bearing may be faulty is a noise similar to that made while driving over rumble strips. If you are also hearing this noise when you turn the steering wheel, then it is most likely a problem with the wheel bearing.

Starting with your vehicle not responding as quickly as it should and strange noises, a faulty wheel bearing can also lead to various potentially hazardous circumstances such as wheel fall-off and uneven tire wear.

Bad Struts

Struts are a vital part of any vehicle because they serve to reduce the impact of bumps in the road and improve handling in general.

The sound that seems as if you are driving over a rumble strip is just one of the annoying sounds you will have to deal with when your struts start to wear out. If your struts are faulty, your brakes won't operate as well, which can be bad.

What To Do If Truck Sounds Like Driving Over Rumble Strips?

Private Isuzu TFR Pickup Truck. On road no.1001 8 km from Chiangmai city.

Here are things you can do anytime your truck sounds like you are driving over rumble strips:

Locate The Source Of The Sound

Put out as much effort as you can to locate the source of the noise. For instance, a noise coming from the front wheel when the vehicle is moving could suggest one problem, yet the same noise coming from beneath the hood could signal another issue.

It would be best if the noise could be captured audibly on a recording; if this is possible, proceed with recording it. An audio recording, in addition to any other details you are able to record, will speed up the process of diagnosing and fixing the problem.

Replace Worn Tires

If, after detecting the sound, you determined that it was coming from your tires, you should probably inspect your tires to ensure that they are not worn out. The best way to determine this is to do the penny test.

If the test reveals that the treads on the tires are worn, then it is necessary to replace the tires. You need to go to the market and pick up some good tires to replace the ones that were damaged.

Check The Wheel, Bearing, And Struts

Mechanic repairing tractor axle, close to axle.

If the noise is still present after you have had your tires replaced, the problem may lie with one of your wheels, the wheel bearing, or the struts.

As a result of this, you should get any of those pieces of equipment checked and replaced as soon as you can.

Contact A Mechanic

Competent master looking at gadget for checking the voltage in motor.

In the event that there is an issue with an automobile, the most logical action to take is to seek the assistance of a trained specialist. However, you should be aware that doing so will need a financial investment on your part.

As soon as you become aware of the noise, take your vehicle to the nearest mechanic so that it may be inspected, and any necessary repairs or replacements will be carried out.

Is It Safe To Use A Truck That Sounds Like Driving Over Rumble Strips?

No, it is not safe. Driving a truck that has a sound similar to that of driving over rumble strips is risky, especially if the fault is with the struts or the wheel bearing.

When you are driving, if one of your bearings is worn out, it might potentially cause the wheel to stop turning. A wheel bearing that is damaged places a significant amount of strain on the hub, the CV joint, and the gearbox itself.

An issue with the wheel bearing that is creating a rumbling sound can damage the smoothness of your ride, the longevity of your tires, and more importantly, can generate concerns about your safety. 

As a result of this, it is important that you refrain from driving your vehicle if you are experiencing issues of this nature.

How Long Can I Drive A Truck That Sounds Like Driving Over Rumble Strips?

Driving a truck that generates a lot of noise like driving over rumble strips is an exceedingly risky endeavor. Tires that are worn down, bald, or have a low tread depth could be the source of the noise.

Due to this, a car with worn tires will have a more difficult time breaking swiftly and effectively when the roads are wet. Low tread tires increase the likelihood that a vehicle may lose control.

As a result, there is no definitive answer to the question of how long a truck that sounds like driving over rumble strips can be driven, but it is better to not drive the vehicle at all.

If it's really necessary for you to drive, you shouldn't go more than 50 miles. Even if you have no choice but to travel farther than 50 miles, you should avoid driving in this condition for more than 70 miles.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Truck That Sounds Like Driving Over Rumble Strips?

There is no specific cost that can be given to you regarding how much it will cost to solve the problem with a truck's noise. In most cases, this is determined by a number of factors, including the cost of the parts, the location, and the type of repair service.

Depending on the manufacturer and quality, the cost to replace a single normal tire on large trucks, such as pick-ups, ranges anywhere from $50 to $200. It is however recommended that you change all of your tires at the same time if possible.

If the problem with your truck is the wheel bearing, the national average cost to repair the wheel bearings on one wheel is approximately $350. If the struts are bad and need to be replaced, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $900 to have a pair of struts replaced. This is the average cost. 

You should expect to pay between $150 and $450 for a single strut assembly, which means you should budget between $300 and $600 only for the parts. Just the cost of labor will run you somewhere between $150 and $300 for the pair.

Is It Normal For Truck To Make Noise?

A truck generates noise when used, just like any other mechanical device would. There are a variety of sounds that are to be expected from a vehicle, including the sound of the engine and other moving parts.

If everything is functioning as it should, you shouldn't hear any other sounds outside the normal sound of the engine while you drive your truck. If you are driving and you start to hear clunking, popping, or any other weird noise, this is almost always an indicator that there is a problem.

To Wrap Up

Different issues including a worn tire, faulty wheel bearing, defective brake rotor, damaged wheel, and bad strut are usually the reason why a truck sounds like driving over rumble strips. If you notice this problem all you have to do is check the wheel, wheel bearing, and struts and replace worn tires.

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