Lately, my Echo has been making a wumpa-wumpa sound at higher speeds. I thought it might have been the one tire that I know is bent (They said it didn't need immediate replacement), but it seems to be getting louder. Could it be the compressor, since my A/C is on full blast most of the time? Or is it probably something costly. That 2000 car still has its original exhaust system, so I thought that might be it as well. Toyotas are great, but their exhaust often sucks. Gas mileage is still pretty damned good (31 mpg city despite the full speed A/C).
Without hearing the sound, it is difficult to determine the source, but cars generally make wumpa-wumpa sounds for several. Possible causes are a broken belt in a tire, bent wheel, bad wheel bearing, bad constant velocity (CV) joint. The sound will always be related to vehicle speed rather than engine speed if one of those are the cause. If the wumpa-wumpa sound is coming from the car while it is sitting still, check the back seat.
Check the tire for any unusual lumps or bulges because a blow that is hard enough to bend the wheel can easily breaks an internal belt in the tire. If the sound is getting louder, the internal tire damage may be getting worse and is very dangerous because it can blow out. A broken belt is often but not always detectable visually. The easiest way to check whether the tire or the wheel is the cause of the sound is to mount the spare and see if it goes away.
Whatever bent the tire could also have bent the tie rod that connects the steering rack to the front wheels, bent a control arm, damaged the axle or CV joint.
An failing AC compressor will generally make a whining and groaning sound, not a wumpa-wumpa sound (ducking for the fwap), and using the AC tends to prolong its life rather than shorten it because the oil that is mixed with the refrigerant keeps things lubed better and keeps seals from drying out.
A failing exhaust system just sounds loud and the sound is related to engine speed, not vehicle speed.
So, bottom line, try the spare and see if it goes away. If it does, do not re-mount the bad tire/wheel until you can get a replacement.
The old bearings have to be pressed out of the hub and the new bearings have to be pressed back in. As the name of the procedure implies, a press is needed to do this, but using a press only takes a few minutes.
I guess I looked pitiful enough for a lower price - not much...$450. Guy asked, "How are you, Mrs. Larkowski?" I said, "Quite a bit poorer." He then told me about the lower price. Big effing deal. I also had an oil change.
I'm sure it won't make you feel any better....but imagine what the bill would have been if you had had a Ford....and I bet that same bill would re occur many times over in the life of the Ford.
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