Help identify this noise in my wagon.

[dremd]

To me the noise sounds a lot like a tire with a bad "feathering" but I thought it best to take a video.

http://youtu.be/tAakJlj4SJ8

Noise attributes.
No noticeable change with the following
Engine on/ off
Braking some/ none/ quite a bit
Turning left / right

In my mind that narrows it to the following
wheel bearings which should change with turning
CV joints that should change with acceleration / turning
Transmission output shafts that are way hard for me to deal with.

Please prove that thought process wrong.


What I've done in effort to fix it.
Check CV boots none are torn.
Change tires (which were almost in wear bars).
Drive around trying to figure out what is wrong.

I'll be honest, could be just about anything, I've done so much stuff to the car that chances are I did something dumb.

 

[jimbote]

wheel bearings don't always change sound with turning especially when the races are severely pitted ...sounds like a wheel bearing to me ... it's easier to isolate by removing one wheel at a time and rotating the hub by hand .... sometimes you may need to remove the caliper or back the pads off to get a good feel for the rough bearing....

 

[dremd]

wheel bearings don't always change sound with turning especially when the races are severely pitted ...sounds like a wheel bearing to me

Oh. <- the element of surprise. If anyone wants to second that opinion I'll order some wheel bearings.

As note, chassis has 130k and had 17" 225 45's on long beaches installed at the factory.

 

[jimbote]

before you order bearings at least suspend one wheel at a time and check for roughness ...

 

[dremd]

Will do.
Hopefully I'll have a minute tonight

 

[vtpsd]

sure sounds like a wheel bearing to me. I just changed out the passenger side front on my 03 wagon. It sounded similar, but it did change when turning.

 

[dremd]

Update: high speed gentle right hand turns quiet the noise quite significantly.

I haven't gotten a chance to jack it up yet.

 

[vtpsd]

sounds like passenger side front wheel wheel bearing

 

[dremd]

I've got about 2 hours free today, going to try and change the front wheel bearings.
My logic says start on the passengers side, but it sounds like the style wheel bearings we have probably drivers, I'll start there.

Thanks guys.

 

[dremd]

I changed the front right (that's the side that was easier to get to in my shop) and the noise is GONE. THANKS GUYS.
I'm going to change the drivers side this summer when I do the brakes.