I need help diagnosing a noise coming from my '02 TL (132k miles). It's not very high pitched, actually sounds pretty similar to engine noise, but it is not correlated with RPM at all. I think it's coming from the front of the car (but not 100% sure on that).

The noise becomes noticeable around 30-40 mph when accelerating. It's loud enough at higher speeds that I can't hear changes in engine noise over the problem noise. Generally, once I decelerate past a certain point (~35 mph) the noise is mostly gone.

It might be relevant that I get a little bit of steering wheel vibration at medium speeds.

Sorry for the bad description, I'm not very good at describing sounds. Any insights as to what may be the problem, or how I go about diagnosing the issue?

 

Here's some possible causes: half shaft bearing worn, wheel Bearing worn or Bad tires ? Can you get a video capture of it ?

 

Try rotating the tires, front to rear. Check suspension and brake components for wear. Inspect all wheel bearings for play.
Does the noise change at all while turning ?

 

Is it a ticking? A thump? A rattle?

 

At least read OP's description...

 

I was planning on trying to get a video today, but it was snowing/sleeting this morning, so maybe tomorrow or the day after.

My tires and brakes pads are both not terribly old, but I'll check those out at some point, and poke at the wheels as well. I'm not sure how to check suspension components.

I haven't noticed any change in the noise while turning, but I'll keep an eye out for that.

I wasn't planning to do anything about this noise at first, but it seems to be getting louder over time.

 

Here's something that might help you and us determine what your hearing.

 

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing to me. I just had to replace my right rear one. It was very loud sound like a mix of growling and engine noise. It was an easy replacement as the whole assembly itself was only 50 bucks and the job took a little over an hour.

 

Yeah as these guys said ....... howling, growling, humming, whining, and vibrating are sure signs of a worn wheel bearing.

 

Here we go, I uploaded a video of my car going from about 40 mph to 75 mph. I'm not sure if you can really hear the noise well, though.

Anyway, based on the video posted a few posts ago (and the majority of opinions), I think it's likely a wheel bearing... however, I'm a little scared to try putting the car in gear while one side is jacked up. Will I be able to tell if I jack up both sides, and spin the wheels by hand?


Edit: Not sure why it's showing up twice like that, maybe the type of link

 

You don't have to do it on gear.. Just by shacking it with your hands can tell if you got a bad wheel bearing..


The test on gear is to "HEAR" the noise exactly from the bearing.. But if you grab the wheel with your hands and spin the wheel you should "FEEL" grinding or grit from the bearing quite easily.. Also if your Ball Joints are OK but you still can move the wheel > Busted Bearing.

 

Hey Aarif1, if the noise is indeed a bad wheel bearing , then the effected wheel should have some noticeable play in it.

Try jacking up each wheel individually to clear the ground, then firmly grasp the top and bottom of the tire.....attempt to pull the tire on top with one hand, while pushing in on bottom with your other hand. Keep doing this alternating top to bottom, in and out on each wheel until ya find one that has a little play or rock within it while checking. A really bad wheel bearing normally will have some "wobble" in it when doing this quick check.

 

I finally remembered to check this, and the noise almost disappears when turning the wheel to the right. Turning to the left makes no noticeable difference. Does that confirm the wheel bearing diagnosis, and/or tell us which side the problem is on?

Also, I saw the wheel bearing DIY, and I am tempted to try it myself. The only question I have right now, why do they not have hub and bearing pre-pressed assemblies? It seems like that would be easier than taking the new bearing and old hub somewhere to have them pressed.

 

Have a look at the inner fender to make sure it isn't rubbing on a tire, Just to be sure.

 

........

Hey Aarif1, if one of the front wheel bearings (apparently LHS) is going bad and the probable cause for the
high pitched noise you're hearing, try this:

~When turning towards the suspected left bad bearing, the pressure becomes greater creating possibly more noise than steering straight ahead or away towards the opposite RHS.

~When turning away towards the opposite side, the pressure exerted will lessen upon the suspect bearing, thus becoming quieter in nature.

 

Just to close this out: got the car back from the shop today with a new right front wheel bearing. Even the mechanic said that, while driving it sounded more like the left front bearing, but proved to be on the right side when he got it up on the lift.

The car seems so quiet now, although it does still have a little bit of steering wheel vibration.

 

Thanks for following up with the results. It helps others with a similar issue.

By the way, now that ya have the wheel bearing replaced .....ya can focus your attention towards the wheel vibration. With the age and mileage on our TL's, things do eventually wear out through time. Eliminate the basic common stuff first. An alignment shop can help diagnose and give ya an estimate for repairs if ya don't "DIY".

~ Try rotating your tires, they may be in need of balancing.
~ Then also check the brake components, may have a warped rotor.
~ Check the suspension/steering components for wear and possible play.