I replaced both front axle assemblies a while back. The right one went right in with a click.we put it back together. The. Left one did not go in easily. We both tried numerous times but couldn't seem to get it to pop in like the other. One. We called a x- Chevy mechanic to come help. He came, grabbed the axle and chunked it in with no problem. So, we put it back together. My question is, would it be possible to re-assemble the whole thing IF the axle had not seated completely in and the ring snapped into place. I have a noise that sounds like a tire or wheel bearing and worsens in a hard right turn. I've replaced the left wheel bearing hub assembly and it didn't stop the noise.

how about some info on the car?

you rotate the tires to see if the noise moves?

It'* a 02 envoy 4wh. I've replaced , both front axles, struts, and rear shocks, left front bearing assembly. No I haven't tried rotating the tires because it doesn't sound like a tire to me. Also, there is a high freq vibration in the steering wheel. Which doesn't seem to be something coming from a tire. Again could you get it back together if the axle didn't seat all the way in?

short answer yes, try pulling on shaft to see if it pops out, if it does just push it back in till it locks into place, it may need to be rotated a little to get it to lock properly, have you checked the right bearing for wear? does noise change with speed or cornering? ps: trying not to step on toes here.

the tires can sound like axles or bearings some times. i would try rotating them in a x pattern and see if the noise changes

I appreciate all the responses. I will have the tires rotated and the balance checked before I proceed. The reason I changed the axles was that right side had broken joint covers and the left had the seal leaking. I was told be careful and get the correct seal, that after market wouldn't work so I pulled the seal ad took it to the Chevy dealer to insure it was correct. Installing the right axle went easy. It went in with a click that you could faintly hear and feel. My bud attempted to push the left one in and we could line the splines but it felt kind of stiff as we pushed it in and it never felt that same "feel" of it clicking in. We tried over and over trying to get that feel of it seating without sucess. That'* when he said he had a friend who used to work for the Chevy dealer in town and called him. He came Right over. The axle was in the seal when he sat down and picked up the axle and chunked it in. He didn't push it it slowly to make sure the splines were lined, it was just bam, that'* it. I thought man, why couldn't we do that? I was a bit afraid to pull on it after he left cause I didn't want to pull it back out. On second thought I should have because if it was seated it wouldn't have come out all that easy. So I'm thinking, if the axle isn't really in with the snap ring seated, then maybe the axle is floating in and out enough to cause pressure on the bearing, or something and causing the sound and vibe you feel in the steering wheel.
Now, I haven't " checked either bearing, just replaced the left assembly because the noise was louder in a hard right turn. Both pros who drove it said it was the left bearing. When it was changed the guy said who told you it was bad, and that it was a little dry but not THAT bad. And yes it does change with speed and cornering,,,right turns, not left turns. I'll rotate the tires and if that doesn't help I'll talk with my mech about tearing it down to check the axle. I don't have access to the needed air wrench and sockets to tear it down anymore. I'll get back to you all.

the right one could be bad too, ive changed many hubs and it seems like if i try to save money the other one is bad (left to right) in the same time period. so in addition to the tires thats what it may be. gm hubs dont get loose though until you drive them about 6months after the noise becomes annoying. i guess annoying is relative though if you work at a dealer most people probably dont notice it for a while and put it off for a while so you would be used to cars that are getting loose.

Where could I go online to get a look at what the front axle looks like where it seats in the differential?

Please keep titles related to the thread itself. It helps people when they are reading through threads using the New Post link. Thank you.

Mike I don't understand what you mean, did I do something wrong?