Strange Noise (not tires)

I am looking for suggestions for a noise I have that isn't too bad, but I would like to resolve. When I drive I hear what sounds like a tire noise. Comes from the driver front. I rotated the tires and the noise remains.

It sounds like a faint womp... womp... that speeds up and is first noticeable around 25mph. Becomes a constant noise at 70. Strangely it seems to get a little louder when I swerve left on the highway... which should unload that side of the suspension somewhat, but it is present in almost all cases, turning, accelerating, decelerating, engine on/off. I have also been getting a catalytic converter code. Car otherwise runs fine and gets good MPG. I have noticed an occasional shudder on the engine shutting down, but it is VERY rare.

My guess from reading is maybe an engine mount has softened and is sharing a vibration... the noise cannot be noticed outside the car.. have been driving windows down lately.
Thanks for reading.
Any thoughts?

 

I rotate front to opposite rear and move the rears forward on same side. Not that I can really tell but tire wear looked normal. Maybe just slightly worn more on the innermost part of the tires. Tires are Cooper and have about 25k of conservative driving in them. Lots of tread left

 

Take that back!

Just kidding. If that's the case, I will let it go until it shakes the doors off. I have seen how crappy that job is with a car in the snow/salt areas. Also don't think there is a good aftermarket replacement, but mostly not looking forward to a profanity infused job like that.

What makes me think its not the wheel bearing is the noise. I would think a wheel bearing would be kind of gravely and wouldn't have much of any noise till a higher speed, say 40 or so where it would vibrate and maybe howl. I would also expect it to change considerably during turns when the loading and stresses are different. But I don't have much diagnostic skills.

 

Is that a different thread or yours?

 

That’s true I should have tried to rock the tire when I had it off the ground.

anyone know if there is a way to jack the front end and allow the motor to spin the tires? It’s a strange question and I wouldn’t ask about other fwd cars

 

From what I have seen, the bearing will fuse to the knuckle with corrosion and has to be air chiseled off. I don't look forward to that. Anyone have a recommendation on a replacement? Any reasonable aftermarket that might get me another 50 - 75 K miles?

I see on RockAuto there is a brand named Mevotech. It sounds like an off brand, but it has pretty good reviews and a surprising warranty of 5 yrs and 60K miles for only $50.

Hopefully that project can wait until spring.

I will make it a point to try the rocking test and even check the heat at the hub from time to time. The noise is not too bad at all. I am a stickler for a quiet car.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to let things ride for a while and maybe shoot some PB Blaster at the hub a few times prior to spring and then look to operate and swap out both front hubs. I would love to avoid this job, but the car has been otherwise pretty reliable.

I should add at highway speeds it kind of drones with a sound that reminds me of a jet engine sound from the interior of an airplane, but very faint at this point.

 

Thought it was a good time to check back. I replaced my first wheel bearing last night and I have to say, it wasn't too bad. The part I dreaded was dislodging the hub. There was a fair amount of corrosion, but it only took me a few minutes.

The Mevotech bearing went in fine. It looks pretty well made. I think I am going to put on the axle nut and take it out later. I don't want to put on both and then hear a strange noise and not know if or which of the new bearings might be causing.

If I remember, I will take a few pictures of the other side and the method I use to replace it

 

Breaking the axle nut loose
Took the entire knuckle off. Not too many bolts. Takes about 20 minutes

pry off protective ring on back and scrape between hub and knuckle. Sprayed pub blaster and let it sit



will come back in a while to pound it loose

 

I took off the dust ring and hub bolts off the car and put that all back together before putting the knuckle back on


I put the knuckle on jackstands

 

About 10 solid hits with a mini sledge and it’s free. This side, the drivers side, is definitely bad

thanks everyone

 

Taking my first drive on the highway since replacing the front hubs and all is quiet and smooth as expected. I have almost 215,000 miles on the car and will try to remember to check back in six months and a year to let anyone know how these bearings are working