Humming sound

Dec 12, 2006 5 Replies
2001 Corolla/Prizm - have a humming sound from left front wheel area. Starts at 30 mph, stops at 60 mph. Gets louder in right turns at speed, gets quiet in left turns. Stayed the same when new tires and brakes were installed. Has been there for a year, only recently getting worse. CV joint? Wheel bearing?

If the car knew the words, it could sing instead of hum ;-)

Seriously, noises are difficult, if not impossible, to diagnose without hearing them. Common causes of noises that change in amplitude or frequency when turning left or right are wheel bearings and CV joints.

The best way to identify the source of the sound is to have a competent technician go for a road test with you so that you can point out the sound.

I passed on that one! ;)

Check your right rear wheel bearing, more often than not noises that seem to come from the front of the car (especially those that sound like transmission or drivetrain noises) are actually coming from the back and vice versa.

To check the CV joints drive slowly at full lock with the drivers window wound down and if you can hear a clicking noise then that will be the inner front wheel in whichever direction you are turning.

Chris

Sounds like his wife left a battery powered vibe in the glove compartment.

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