Some Cadillac Escalade owners may notice that their luxury SUV emits a clicking or squeaking noise from around the front axle while driving. Now, a possible root cause for this issue has been identified, as has a fix.
Per a recent post from GM TechLink, the clicking sound issue may be present in certain units of the Cadillac Escalade equipped with four-wheel drive, specifically models between the 2021 and 2022 model years. Affected models are equipped with a front axle tagged with RPO code SU4. The sound may be heard when the vehicle is driven in two-wheel drive, while the sound will no longer be heard when the vehicle is driven in four-wheel drive.
According to GM TechLink, the issue may be caused by the left-side front axle output shaft. Critically, the report states that this squeaking sound issue does not affect the SUV’s durability, or operation of the vehicle in general.
In order to fix this issue, GM technicians are instructed to first take the Cadillac Escalade for a test drive to confirm that it is indeed making the squeaking noise. The noise may be easiest to duplicate in warm ambient temperatures after roughly 30 miles of driving. Once the GM tech confirms that the sound is present and can be isolated to the front-left axle seal area, it’s recommended to replace the left-side front axle output shaft (or front-wheel drive shaft). To this end, a new part number is available that includes a retaining ring and slinger, both of which are single-use parts.
In order to replace the left front-wheel drive shaft, GM technicians are instructed to reference the appropriate Service Information, specifically Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement – Left Side or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement – Left Side (SU4).
To note, a similar issue, as well as the related fix, has also been identified for the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Suburban, and Chevy Tahoe.
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Comments
For a cool $100,000 you to can have a clicking noise in your Cadillac Escalade, GM is raising vehicle prices to stratospheric levels without a corresponding increase in reliability.
I asked the dealership about this noise on my 2021 Tahoe Z71 and was told that my VIN cross reference doesn’t show that I have an issue. It is hard to duplicate because it must be driven for 30 miles in hot weather. I’m hearing this noise on the front left. How else can I have this pointed out to the mechanic without the 30 miles driven? Help!