Ok that 80 mile drive I went on the other day I noticed something that has gotten even louder since then. It's not tire noise, it's a new noise. From what I think the front-passenger wheel at speeds above 40MPH is what sounds like a steady humming sound. It can be loud enough to hear about the radio. It's not really loud, but it can be felt and heard above the radio. I am not sure, I was thinking maybe a bad wheel bearing? Thoughts on this?
Bad wheel bearing maybe?
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When the bearing went on my Cavi, it was a low whomp-whomp-whomp that got faster with speed. I had killed it when I slid on rain-slick asphalt into a curb.
http://colt45.ws/coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-112
http://colt45.ws/coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-112
When I change the oil I will check for that. But if you had to guess, ruling out tire noise as a cause, what would could this humming noise?
JTK
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I've had worn front wheel bearings sound that way and have also had them only announce themselves during a turn (lateral force). Either case was almost non-detectible by jacking/wiggling/rolling the front wheels. These were on front wheel drive vehicles w/ replaceable bearing hub assemblies.
Joel
Joel
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Seconded- the wheel wiggle can prove there's a bad bearing, but it won't rule it out. I've had bad ones be solid as a rock, but still make noise.
A wheel bearing can be bad with no discernible looseness.
Bad wheel bearings usually make a rhuum rhuum noise, and not a steady hum. Tires are my first guess, or brakes.
Bad wheel bearings usually make a rhuum rhuum noise, and not a steady hum. Tires are my first guess, or brakes.
Kestas
Staff member
Rudolphna, your description sounds like a bad wheel bearing. I've evaluated hundreds of bad wheel bearings returned for warranty, and read through hundreds of customer narratives describing the noise, and your description fits right in.
Mechtech2 and swalve are correct when they says that a bearing can be bad and noisy without discernible looseness, but bad bearings can also make a steady hum. The noise pattern depends on how the bearing failed.
Mechtech2 and swalve are correct when they says that a bearing can be bad and noisy without discernible looseness, but bad bearings can also make a steady hum. The noise pattern depends on how the bearing failed.
What kind of conditions could cause a failure in this manner? Driving style etc, if such a thing applies. I'll be depressed if I already have to put a wheel bearing on. It already needs a new A/C compressor.
On the J-Body, new bearings come with an additional seal for the CV shaft side of the upright. (Just ask if you are not getting this, it is hard to describe.) You are supposed to pop the lower balljoint so you can pull out the CV shaft and install this seal. Then you put it all back together and before you install the bearing fill this area with grease.
The thing is, the car does not come with this seal from the factory, so it has been theorized this is the source of failure outside of abuse or damage. I dont know for sure. To me the bearing is supposed to be a sealed unit.
The thing is, the car does not come with this seal from the factory, so it has been theorized this is the source of failure outside of abuse or damage. I dont know for sure. To me the bearing is supposed to be a sealed unit.
Kestas
Staff member
Usually OEM bearing failure is due to water ingress from seal failure. It compromises the lube quality and results in corrosion-spalling of the races. Not much you can do about it. Number one failure of a replacement bearing is because of improper installation.
The only driver-initiated failures I can think of are when drivers slam into curbs. This brinnels the races, resulting in noise and eventually premature spalling.
The only driver-initiated failures I can think of are when drivers slam into curbs. This brinnels the races, resulting in noise and eventually premature spalling.
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