Thread: Noise in Wheel Well

Hopefully someone can help with this, or give me some ideas...here goes

For about the last 2 months I have had a loud humming noise coming from my front passenger side wheel well. At first it only did it at 35-40mph and then it was gone. The noise did get louder at the previously mentioned speeds, but within the last 2 weeks the noise has gotten MUCH worse. Now at less then 10 mph it makes a loud rubbing/humming sound, and as I get up to higher speeds it gets louder. Between 40-45 mph sounds like my wheel is going to fly off into orbit. Just a very loud whooom whooom whooom sound. Once past 45 it dies down but is still there. As I slow down it goes back through the sounds in reverse as expected. The car rides smooth except for a slight shimmy if I have to stop fast at high speeds.

I replaced hubs and tie rod ends inners and outer 6 months ago. Also, just to rule out my well worn front passenger tire, we rotated it today to the rear drivers side and put 2 new tires up front...to my dismay, IT GOT WORSE. What should I check out here, any ideas?

We have our suspisions that it could be the hub bearings because it seems like Grand Prix's are notorious for that, however my set that I replaced in May...the one was literally only held together until taken out, it made NO noise though. (They also appeared to be stock...lol)

I believe the brand was United, but not sure on that. At the time I got what I could because I wanted my Trac Control to work, it was out due to a bad ABS sensor in the old hubs. Normally I replace any parts with a step up aftermarket though. If for some odd reason it would not be the hubs, any suggestions on what to check next? We will be pulling her apart around 9 am tomorrow morning and I will be posting in again to give the results...thanks for the reply by the way.

I just want my baby to be better....lol

Oh and yes, they were brand new, both replaced at the same time as tie rod ends as well

That explains a whole lot actually. I have been telling my fiance that it gets loud when I turn left (which did not make sense to me). Your post makes a lot of sense. The other point we brought to our attention was that I bought the hubs online and they are not always grease packed like they should be. Maybe that would cause premature wear if that is the case? Luckily I have a one year warranty on them.

Now I guess it's due time for an update. I am very sad about my car now.

We found that it is not the hub bearings, they are fine, in tact, and well greased, both sides. We did find that the outer tie rods were not done properly and on top of that barely had any grease, so we fixed both sides up, filled with grease. The guys took it for a test drive, said it was improved from the noise that it was making, and it should be fine to continue driving it until I can get some fresh tires. (My current ones are a bit worn, but not bald).

The worst part about this is that when I got in 30 mins later to drive, I immedietly started hearing the same stupid sound. To give benefit of the doubt, I waited till I was on a straight road were I could get up some speed. As I got up near 40 mph, I noticed my steering wheel was turned left somewhat. About that time I also noticed that I felt like I was sliding, car started going left. Of course, I turned the wheel right and it went further left. I ended up swerving my whole way across town pretty much, just felt like I was on ice and had no control of my steering.

My fiance and his brother took it for a spin, then opened up the hood to find that my struts are done. When you turn the wheel either direction, the struts lift up and rock. Just wierd that it didnt start with that craziness till today, its been fine, just noisy. We believe the noise is being caused by my rotors because we noticed that they were very grooved and slightly warped. I am thoroughly frustrated and really upset that my car is out of comission for now until I get the money for all this crap.

It's not your fault...lol. I do not think any of us were expecting my struts to go from functional to oh ****!...We are going to replace the struts which sucks because they were KYB adjustables that were cranked down and I do not have the funds to get those. I think I am gonna go with Monroe's. Plus the rotors and brakes are a must do as well. I just REALLY hope that after replacing all 3 components that I do not hear that noise. But I do still think it could be the hub wether they checked it or not....lol Thanks for all your help and advice, I am always open to suggestions

The struts might still be good and its only the mounts that are shot. If the threaded stem of the strut is moving around a lot when you turn the wheels, the mounts are shot. You can buy them separately for cheap.