I have a 1995 Maxima with 141,000. I recently replaced a passengers side front wheel bearing think it would solve a "whum, whum, whum" noise that I hear primarily at 15-30 mph. Noise happens after driving in high heat after 5 or more miles (driving straight, no turning necessary). New bearing did not solve the problem.

Q1) At this mileage is it typical that I have to replace the hub assembly, also?

Q2) Also, if I don't replace it, will it typically lead to more problems later?

Q3)....or should I look elsewhere to solve this problem?

 

How are your tires? I had a similar problem that I was sure was a wheel bearing or drive shaft carrier bearing problem. The noise went away when I bought new tires.

 

thanks for reply!
Actually tires are great...60,000 mile Yokahamas with about 25k on them...been rotated several times.

Q4) Anyone had brake pad dragging w/ slightly warped rotor cause noise problem?

Q5) Are there any bearings at ends of joints...at what I guess is called a transaxle? (drivetrain part that include cv joints at the ends).

 

I had a really noisey ride. 100k miles. Thought it was a wheel bearing. Put on new rubber and its quiet.

 

Well, I'll rotate the tires, again. However, it only happens in very hot weather after traveling about 5 miles (front passenger side), so I think this would eliminate tires. Also, when we had a cool spell, it totally went away until it got hot, again.

I think I need to check front brake pads and possible warped rotor first and then need to see if there is a bearing engine side on transaxle.

 

Hey, how hard was it to replace the front wheel bearing?

 

1) The tire compond changes with temperature.
2) Bearing noise is load associated, meaning it makes noise when you drift left or right but usually remains quiet when driving straight.
3) A bad bearing makes noise hot and cold.

Conclusion: You have noisey tires. Don't assume they aren't bad just because they have plenty of tread on them.

 

Rotating tires often will not eliminate road noise caused by tires. Tread design and material make-up of the tires are a huge factor in tire road noise. Generally, particularly with low profiles, the more tread wears down, the more road noise you'll get.

 

I have this simular problem.. Im pretty sure its not the tires.. The noise is kinda hard to explain but its almost a metalic grinding noise that you can only hear when the cars doing like he said like 5 - 30 mphs.. After you speed up its fine and its while driving in a straight line. Mine started soon after a mechanic did my lower control arm on the drivers side..