Thread: Car sounds like a prop plane...

Okay, sooo....I think my car is trying to impress me by doing its best impersonation of a world war II era fighter plane. As I'm driving, it almost sounds like a propeller plane. The sound follows the vehicle speed, not the RPMs. The car still acts the way it always has - no change in how it shifts, performs, fuel efficiency, nothing...just makes this airplane type sound. Thoughts on what it might be???

Yeah only things i would even know to check are the blower motor and make sure the fan isnt clipping the shroud but neither of those would be speed dependant

Tire or wheel bearing. On a more rare possibility the reluctor ring on the differential has been known to move and contact the diff. housing (alum.), the notches of the metal ring hitting the alum. cover could make the sound you describe also.

Wheel bearing usually constant noise not prop plane kinda noise though. Could see a knot on the tire causing the noise maybe but it would shake like all hell while driving. Haven't ever experienced the reluctor ring issue to know what it would sound like personally.

Maybe your plastic inner fender liner has come loose and is rubbing , you know like putting a playing card in your bicycle spokes. Man I'm old. lol

It could be wheel bearings as mentioned earlier. I tried searching for my audio clip when I had the problem but could not find it. Basically it sounded like I was driving a 4x4 with huge knobby tires. Aside form the noise there were no other noticeable impacts to how the car drove.

I am having the same issue on my '07 GT. Started like road noise last week, then started buzzing. Speed related; most noticeable between 35-55mph, not engine/trans rpm. Doesn't make the noise idling. I've had wheel bearings go before but that was more of a grinding noise. The buzzing does sound like a prop plane.

One more thing to add if it is bearings from experience. Both my wheels had slight play when I would grab the wheel in both the 12 and 6 o'clock position as well the 9 and 3 o'clock position. You could feel a very small click when tugged side to side. Remember to try both positions to avoid mistaking cause due to other worn suspension components like a lower ball joint or outer tie rod end.

Originally Posted by ericspecullaas

i want a video!! reason beening i been near ww2 planes hell my grandpa built a few planes so i would know from first hand what a real plane sounds like lol

I put that because the sound reminds me of old WWII movies showing the fighters in formation, and the sound effect used for that...lol

Do axles/CV joints make noises like this when they go bad?

axles/cv joints usually start popping when they start going out. Easy way to check the cv joints is cut the wheel all the way over to each side and take off. If you hear a pop pop pop its bad.

Okay - I think I'm good there then.

I'm thinking it's the right side hub...when I go around right hand curves, the sound lightens up a bit as the pressure comes off of that right front tire...when I straighten back out, it comes back in full volume. When I go around left hand curves, the sound stays the same volume. I'll jack up the front end today and see what's moving.

Mine is getting louder every day and it's almost drowning out the radio; it's so loud. First chance to look at it is Saturday and I drive 50-60 miles a day; mostly highway. Am I going to do any additional damage over the next couple of days if it is the bearing?