2001 Nissan Maxima GLE. Automatic Transmission. 104K miles.

No noise at idle, but there is a rather loud humming noise coming from the front of the car when driving down the road. Car has new tires, but the noise started well after the tires were replaced. Trans fluid has never been changed but color looks OK (not a big deal to change this as I should anyways).

What's the common problem here?

1. Trans going south?
2. Axle/VC Joint issue?
3. Motor mounts?
4. Engine getting ready to implode ?

 

does it get louder as the car moves faster? could be a bad wheel bearing if thats the case

 

+1

The color is not okay. If it's not red or pink, then it is a big deal.

 

Yeah, gets louder with speed. I'll get the wheel bearings replaced up front.

 

Timken
Or

OEM

 

Don't meant to hijack, but if my tranny fluid is like a blackish brown I should get it changed ASAP right?

 

Maybe too late now

"Transmission fluid high mileage cars"

 

its most likely only one, and dont jump to it being the wheel bearing. but 75% chance that if it gets louder with speed its the wheel bearing. only way to know for sure is to see if the wheel has play and jack both front wheels off the ground, put it in drive, and see if the noise is coming from the wheel bearing with a stethoscope

transmission fluid naturally will go brown over time from heat in the transmission, you can try changing it. if its black, or you change it and the fluid goes black again fairly soon, somethings up with the trans