NVH riddle: noise @ 50MPH

Becomes rather pronounced at 50MPH, especially on better pavement. Sounds like grinding noise with some wup-wup-wup to it

- jacked her up, one tire at a time, no play and no noises when rotating the tires
- tires checked for balance, seem fine with static balance (used a bubble balancer at home)
- noise doesn't change any when going into neutral
- doesn't change when turning
- no vibs in the steering wheel
- no pulling, tire returns back to straight-on on its own, nice & brisk
- no signs of uneven wear

Sounds like a wheel bearing to me, or it could be tire noise from a little cupping.

The test for wheel bearing is to find a (very!) empty road, drive about 50mph, and gently weave from side to side. The noise should come and go, as the bad side is unloaded and loaded. Obviously, be careful!

Yet to look @ the CV boots.

If that is also OK, time to look for a shop that has the machine where they simulate the drive by force-rotating the tires. What is that machine called ?

Wont be dropping much $$$ into the issue, in light of June 21st approaching fast

I'd bet cupping of the tires too.

^^^agreed IMO...

Miked all the tires, nutting to report, they seem to be true.

Upon close exam, I seem to getting grinding noises out of LH rear hub. Miked it, no wobble - so it is not the pad grabbing. Pad is good, rotor shows 90K worth of wear. Bearing ?

The other side rotates freely w/o ANY noises whatsoever.

Dont cherish having to spend the $$$ on tools ( the VW star bits) and replacement ($60 hub + bolt) and they moved the settlement announcement date again !

Just a bit under $100 in HW for DIY. Probably $500 at stealership.