Steering rumbling

Sep 27, 2005 7 Replies

Hello!



I have not driven my Sonata 2000 V6 for a while until today and was unpleasantly surprised to hear some rumbling coming from the front. I noticed that when the steering wheel is straight or to the left the rumbling persists, if the wheel is to the right it diminishes or even completely disappears at some angle. It is also proportional to the car's speed.



Any ideas what might the problem be.



Your response is greatly appreciated



Jack up the front end and grab the wheel at the top and bottom and try to rock it toward and away from you. If there's any play in the bearing, you'll feel it. Sometimes if you spin a wheel with a bad bearing, you can hear a gritty sound.

If you have a safe place and setup, you could jack the front wheels off the ground and operate the car in gear and listen for a humming noise from one of the wheels.

That will probably detect a problem sooner than the "shake test", since a bad bearing will make noise before it develops appreciable play. Do this only with jack stands - NOT a jack. Apply the emergency brake, chock the rear wheels and DO NOT rev the engine. Just start the car, put it in gear and let the wheels spin.

Thanks, guys!

My rear right wheel hub had to be replaced recently so I just got two front wheel bearings along with the brake discs and pads to get my car back in shape.It will be cheaper to do it all in once.

Thanks again

Beware! You'll need a press to remove and install the front bearing from the knuckle. If you don't have one available, be prepared to take the knuckle to a machine shop. You may also want to get the retaining snap rings for the front hub bearings.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required