dwest1023

I recently had the driver side wheel bearing replaced due to a wobble and whine sound. Now the wind sound is gone, but the wobble sound is still there. There is no change in sound if I turn the steering wheel right to left while driving. Sometimes the sound is louder than other, and the sound seems to disappear at speeds over 40. Is this tire noise? Maybe a tire out of round? Or is this possible another wheel bearing? Car only has 62K on it and sits alot.Any thoughts appreciated before taken it to stealership. 2009 FWD TL.

mossman77

Rotate the tire to a different location and see if the noise follows. If the noise does not change location, it's likely steering or suspension related, such as a loose tie rod or balljoint. Sitting a lot is not good for balljoints. Blown shock is also a possibility.

dwest1023

Dealer said it was the tires. My 2009 is pristine with low miles. I hardly drive the thing, other than long trips to Ohio. Since my tires have very good tead life, I'll just have to deal with the noise for awhile. Once the snow and salt hits, it will be spitting some more. The good thing, is, the dealer did not charge me to look at the car.

mossman77

How did they determine it was the tires? Did you ask? Sadly, if some shops can't find the source of the problem they are quick to blame something else that may not actually be causing the noise.

dwest1023

The dealer put the car on a lift and use a stethoscope to listen to a the wheel bearings. I suspected the tires myself, as the continental DWS tires are prone to be noisy. Plus my TL sits weeks at a time. The bearing that was replaced, had a faint whine sound. I no longer have that sound, just the wobble of the tires, I assume.

potmilkz

front camber ball joints... i am having that problem right now. does your steering wheel shake a bit during certain speeds?

dwest1023

No shaking at all. If it means anything the car only has 60K on it.
Tires are wearing perfectly.

csmeance

With the Continental DWS and sitting a lot, I'm willing to bet that your tires have flat spots in them from sitting. Make sure you air up your tires to about 40PSI if you are going to let the car sit, this reduces the flat spot and helps keep the tire from deflating to sub 32PSI while sitting.

Drive the car a good distance and the flatspots should be able to work themselves out once the tires are hot. Make sure you run the proper PSI when driving!