rmssch89

I've pretty much reduced it down to being the wheel bearing. I spun the wheel repeatedly while removing another part each time until I was down to just the bearing hub. It still made noise while spinning the hub and it sounded as if something was grinding around inside of it. There was no free play but upon removing the hub I noticed there was not much lubrication visibly left and it was slightly difficult to turn. I'll know for sure if this was the cause of the problem when I get the new bearings on later this week.

rmssch89

I replaced the wheel hub today and the noise has gotten much, much quieter, but can still be heard faintly. So the old wheel hub was definitely causing the noise. I guess this one just needs to break in for a while? Anyone want to chime in? If there is still noise after this weekend I may have a mechanic ride along with me to get their opinion.

Rubrignitz

I have the same noise in the rear. It's not a gear-whine noise (I know what that sounds like) but a low freq hum/whirring noise like you indicated. I pulled/pushed my rear wheels at every angle earlier this week and got ~1/8'' of play in one of the rears where the noise was emanating from so I plan a bearing/hub check.

Your other issue could be wheel balance, tire out of round etc. Those kind of issues can get expensive when you start swapping in new parts to alleviate.

rmssch89

The remaining noise turned out to be the wheel bearing on the driver's side. When examined there was scoring where the ball bearings contact the metal and the grease inside was looking pretty funky. The driver's side is not as bad as the passenger side and I couldn't even tell it was making noise until the passenger hub was replaced since that one was so loud. I just find it odd that both went out around the same time. Although I do track my car a few times a year and have over 60k miles, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.

157dB

Could we get some pics of the wheel bearings?
How easy was it to replace?

rmssch89

I'll take some pics of both the wheel bearings when I change out the driver's side one, which will be next Saturday. As for the difficulty, it was extremely easy. Just take off the wheel, brake caliper and rotor, and finally the large nut on the spindle, and the hub slides right off. Putting the hub back on is just as simple. Just be careful not to pop the bearing out while sliding it back onto the spindle.

siberian.mist

so did you ever take pics?