Just got the car... Noticed sound front left wheel. Doesn't change based on ground surface. Is it the wheel bearing?

I know its hard to hear but listen for the pulsating sound that almost sounds like im running over small bumps...but like i said it doesnt change based on surface..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO6RtHGbbVE

 

I can't hear anything. Does the sound change when you turn left or right? A bad wheel bearing will usually make more noise when there is a bigger load on it, e.g., if you turn right and the noise increases it suggests a bad wheel bearing on the left hand side. They usually make a weird kind of whirring sound.

 

as he said, noise that disappears if you turn move weight left/right is an accurate indicator of a dieing wheel bearing. you can read often to check of wheel play on the bad wheel. this test only works when bearings are completely shot; there isnt much play if bearings make noise but are in the early stages of "play"

 

Both are correct here.

Move the wheel slightly left-right when driving. If the noise stops, its likely the bearing. Which is a hub assembly on the Evo.

Also check the condition of the tires. Alignment. Suspension components. A scalloped tire (alignment, worn tire, bad strut) will make a "whir-whir-whir" noise also.

 

Having the same issue, when I turn wheel left I get a whomp/whirling noise. When I turn right it goes away. Jacked up the car and both front wheels have slight play, I can feel it move when I pull at 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Question is, since both wheels have play do I need to replace both bearings or since I get the noise when I turn left, just replace the right one for now? Rear wheels, no play. Last question, is it bad to autocross on wheel bearings in the early stages of failure. Curious because I have an event Feb 13th and not sure if I'll have time to source the parts and replace the bearings before then.

 

If you have play, you should not be able to pass inspection.

And its a safety flag. If heat is the danger here. Cook that bearing more and the risk of failure increases.

 

So since both wheels have slight play when the car is jacked up then both bearings are bad? I only get the noise one direction

 

Noise is down the line of part failure. E.g. if you are hearing noise. Its pretty far gone.

OEM - loose (play) - more play + noise - grinding noise - failure - ???

 

Also, while checking, if the bearings feel tight, feel along the inner tread of the the front tires. If feathered (sharp edges that catch your fingers), it could be tire noise.

 

checked for play on all 4 and nothing. the noise doesnt change when i go left to right. the car pulls to the right so maybe its a bad alignment. ill inspect the tires next. but do you guys hear the noise in my vid? i know its kinda hard but it almost sounds like tire noise.. they are federal tires. but like i said the noise doesnt change on different surfaces.

 

could bad wheel bearing cause the camber to be off?

 

Update, took my car to a shop and they put it on a lift. Front bearings were fine but my rear passenger was fugged! Like the whole tire wobbled haha. Fixed now. So it may sound like a front but it could be the rear. Also, my rear had no play when I checked but it was bad

 

I hear noise coming from the front right when i turn the car to the left in my car. However treadwear is normal on the passenger side. The drivers side front tire is however scalloped. Best bet to just replace both front wheel bearing hub assemblies?

 

Before doing that I would rotate the scalloped tire to the rear to see if the noise moves with it.