Help Diagnose a noise

**el5y** · #1: 07-23-2014, 12:16 PM

I thought possibly tires or alignment but I just got new tires (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3) and an alignment and the noise is still there.

Starting from 25-30 mph on up I have a vibration noise that just gets louder the faster I go. I'm just looking for ideas as to what I might be.

Wheel Bearings? Wheels out of balance (shouldn't the shop have balanced them when they put the new tires on??)

Any ideas? Also any one know where I can upload a sound clip to share? I recorded the sound when driving 55mph

**jasejase** · #2: 07-23-2014, 12:33 PM

youtube is the easiest way

**el5y** · #3: 07-23-2014, 01:00 PM

hmm...Guess I need to retake the clip since I was just doing an audio recording. I'll post it up when I get a chance to drive around a bit

**el5y** · #4: 07-24-2014, 07:19 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX8mFKZA9Vw

Its kinda hard to hear in this video but its definitely there above 35mph.

I have another video uploading where I was cruising at about 65 mph

**el5y** · #5: 07-24-2014, 09:14 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G9edQIbOkM

**BarManBean** · #6: 07-24-2014, 09:18 AM

Could be something in the output side of the transmission / driveshaft...?

If you've ruled out the tires (yes the shop should have balanced them, although you can certainly get that checked) I would go with a wheel bearing or something in the trans / driveshaft possibly.

You should be able to check the bearings. Put the car up and grab the tires/wheels to see if there is any excessive play in one or more corner. That or run the car while up on stands and listen to things to see if you can identify where the noise is coming from. Be careful tho!

**el5y** · #7: 07-24-2014, 09:27 AM

I'll check the bearings this weekend when I get a chance. I don't have 4 jack stands to do a wheels up run :P Maybe I should just take it to carmax and buy hicksta's car instead of trying to fix it...

**BarManBean** · #8: 07-24-2014, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el5y

I'll check the bearings this weekend when I get a chance. I don't have 4 jack stands to do a wheels up run :P Maybe I should just take it to carmax and buy hicksta's car instead of trying to fix it...

Not a bad idea. Seriously...

**el5y** · #9: 07-25-2014, 04:02 AM

heh, well taking the car to carmax this weekend to get a price

I just read through the walkthrough on how to replace the front wheel bearing and in the thread the tech said you can't really tell any wiggle because of the design of the hub, but the more I read about the wheel bearing issues the more likely it seems

**el5y** · #**10:** 08-04-2014, 12:51 PM

Ok so...since I couldn't get a decent price on my LGT from any stealership I decided to ask them how much it would cost to replace a wheel bearing on my car. They quoted me 440/wheel.

Given that I can get replacement parts online for less than half that price and I wanted to get some air tools anyways.

Anyone have suggestions for decent quality air impact wrench and air compressor??

At a final price of around 440 (or even more if decent products which will last a while) it really just makes more sense for me to do it myself rather than pay the dealership.

**jasejase** · #**11:** 08-04-2014, 01:12 PM

I have this Impact gun, and it's awesome. Don't cheap out on the wrench.

Amazon.com: Ingersoll-Rand 2130 1/2-Inch Heavy-Duty Air Impact Wrench: Home Improvement

As far as the compressor goes... A small pancake style can sometimes 'get the job done', but it wont be happy. You really need a larger one with a good recovery rate. These are typically in the 30 gallon and up range. Between the gun, hose, and compressor, you'll spend more than $440 if you buy new. You can likely find a good compressor on sale for 250-350 ish.. plus the 175 for the wrench. 40-50 for a hose (go rubber) and incidentals. $475 total minimum, dependent on the deal you get on the compressor.

The standard 26 gallon compressor that everyone seems to have from Sears is fine, though it may need to catch up when doing wheels, or larger jobs. I'd rather spend a few bucks more, and get a slightly better rated one personally. Craigslist is an option for a good compressor too.

You can also just get a battery/li-ion powered impact wrench. A lot of guys here have good things to say about them. An air compressor will be more versatile, as you move into the future however.

Oh, and you'll need impact sockets too. All my impact sockets are IR as well (for the most part). This was my first set.

Ingersoll Rand SK4M14L 1/2-Inch 14 Piece Deep Metric Impact Socket Set - Socket Wrenches - Amazon.com

**el5y** · #**12:** 08-04-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasejase

I have this Impact gun, and it's awesome. Don't cheap out on the wrench. Amazon.com: Ingersoll-Rand 2130 1/2-Inch Heavy-Duty Air Impact Wrench: Home Improvement

As far as the compressor goes... A small pancake style can sometimes 'get the job done', but it wont be happy. You really need a larger one with a good recovery rate. These are typically in the 30 gallon and up range. Between the gun, hose, and compressor, you'll spend more than $440 if you buy new. You can likely find a good compressor on sale for 250-350 ish.. plus the 175 for the wrench. 40-50 for a hose (go rubber) and incidentals. $475 total minimum, dependent on the deal you get on the compressor.

The standard 26 gallon compressor that everyone seems to have from Sears is fine, though it may need to catch up when doing wheels, or larger jobs. I'd rather spend a few bucks more, and get a slightly better rated one personally. Craigslist is an option for a good compressor too.

You can also just get a battery/li-ion powered impact wrench. A lot of guys here have good things to say about them. An air compressor will be more versatile, as you move into the future however.

Oh, and you'll need impact sockets too. All my impact sockets are IR as well (for the most part). This was my first set. Ingersoll Rand SK4M14L 1/2-Inch 14 Piece Deep Metric Impact Socket Set - Socket Wrenches - Amazon.com

thanks jasejase!

Like I said I don't mine spending more for the tools if I'm going to be doing them all myself. at 440/wheel, if I have to replace 2 wheel bearings I've made up the price difference and then some. Plus I can use the compressor for the work around the 1964 house I have.

**jasejase** · #**13:** 08-04-2014, 01:37 PM

^^ all very true.

I have a small Dewalt AC that I bought originally for my finish nailers. It works for car stuff, but it's tough when doing wheels or something that requires quick recovery. I plan to get a secondary one for the garage, and use the dewalt for projects around the house that don't require a lot of gusto!

**F1inspiredLGT** · #**14:** 08-04-2014, 01:43 PM

Does sound like wheel bearings. Both my rears sounded like that a few months back.

Also, check wheels for any bent rims. After replacing my bearings, the sound was gone, but still had the vibations. Then I discovered I had one bent rim.

**el5y** · #**15:** 08-04-2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1inspiredLGT

Does sound like wheel bearings. Both my rears sounded like that a few months back.

Also, check wheels for any bent rims. After replacing my bearings, the sound was gone, but still had the vibations. Then I discovered I had one bent rim.

Rims were good last I checked them before the new tires and alignment.

Secondary question though, if they were bent wouldn't you expect a tire shop to say something about that?