Yet another potential cause of the "Equinox Hum"

[nicko]

My 2025 RS (stock wheels) has an annoying hum at speeds above 45 MPH. It's not the "rumble strip" sound others are complaining of at 1800 to 2000 RPM. My hum sound gradually increases as you approach 45 MPH and doesn't change with engine speed. It doesn't change either when putting the Equinox in neutral while driving.

Someone on this forum had wheel bearings replaced which to me sounds likely given the sound. I suggested this cause to the dealership service department. I also asked for the Infotainment update.

They did the infotainment update which gave me the Home Link Garage Door Opener and slightly better audio sound. It did nothing to improve the "hum". The Service Department admitted they heard the sound and said it was caused by the torque tube. They ordered the part and will swap it out when it comes in. I'll report back once the torque tube is replaced. I'm skeptical but we will see. My money is still on a bad wheel bearing but that also would be unusual for a brand new vehicle.

(My daughter just purchased a 2025 Trax and her Trax is way quieter than my 2025 Equinox at speed so I don't think I'm being overly sensitive.)

 

[PoManNox]

Sorry to hear about your noise issues. Interesting diagnosis with the torque tube. I don't believe the TT is sold as a separate component, so you'll probably be getting a whole new rear carrier assembly.

Is your daughter's new Trax AWD?

 

[nicko]

Sorry to hear about your noise issues. Interesting diagnosis with the torque tube. I don't believe the TT is sold as a separate component, so you'll probably be getting a whole new rear carrier assembly.

Is your daughter's new Trax AWD?

No. The Trax only comes as FWD. Are you thinking that AWD vehicles are inherently noisier? My "hum" doesn't seem to change whether the Equinox is in AWD vs FWD.

 

[PoManNox]

That's why I question the torque tube diag.

The prop shaft that runs from the transfer case up front, then though the torque tube to the rear carrier is not spinning when the vehicle is not in AWD mode.

Maybe they heard something in the rear differential and wet clutch, which is part of the rear carrier assembly.

No the FWD and AWD versions should sound the same.

 

[nicko]

I'm skeptical as well. When I'm at 45 mph and I put it in neutral the sound is unchanged. My money is on a wheel bearing (but I'm not the mechanic).

 

[nicko]

Well, I'm back from the dealer after the torque tube replacement. The sound is still there. Sigh... Looking at the service tech notes he said torque tube bearing noise. Replace torque tube.

I returned to the dealer and took the service writer for a test drive. He heard the noise and I demonstrated putting the RS in neutral while at 45 mph and the noise didn't change at all. It's going back for another try. I kept stressing that I think it's a noisy wheel bearing. It's very odd on a new vehicle but two other individuals on this board (or maybe it was FB) said they had bad bearings from day 1.

I'll report my findings in a week.

 

[mkutch]

Had similar issue with my '25. Short answer: It was the right-front hub.

Long answer: I heard the 'hum' immediately with driving the vehicle off the lot last fall (most noticeable from 45mph-60mph). Doing my own troubleshooting (mechanical engineer) I isolated it to the wheel bearing. Took it to dealer, explained and demonstrated the issue -- they replaced the torque tube. The TT did not fix anything, as immediately again driving away from the service center the hum was present. (LOL at their claim that they drove it after replacing the TT and no sound observed.) They then put the vehicle on the hoist and confirmed its the hub. Replaced the hub and no noise....

 

[nicko]

I'm back from the dealer. The right rear wheel hub was replaced. The hum at 45 mph is gone.

I still wouldn't say my Equinox is quiet now but it's definitely quieter. I do wonder if there is a widespread defect in those bearings that will eventually start showing up in the other wheels. I hope not.

 

[padavid12]

My 2026 has only 500 mil es on it and yesterday I noticed the noise at 50 to 60 mph. At first I thought is was road noise but there was no change from old to new surface. Will monitor closely. If it is a bearing, it should get louder at any speed. I feel I must let it get louder to prevent the dealer just shrugging it off. I would like to give a shout out for my wifes 2014 LTZ. It has the V6 and only 23,243 miles and is in still show room condition.