Front end noise from Car

[Bean]

I have noticed lately, a Woosh Woosh sound coming from the front of the car, especially the front passenger side. How would I know if the Ball Joints are gone? The sound seems to get louder as the speed of the car increases.

Anyone know? Anyone?

[dentinger]

whoosh whoosh?

wheel bearing? bad tire? a bulge maybe?

to check for ball joints, the best way (and the only way?) is to lift the car off the ground, and shake the tire side to side.
it should have NO play at all. if it does, its most likely a ball joint.
if you have play side to side and up and down, then its most likely a bearing.

[Bean]

Would either a Ball Joint or Bearing be covered under the MAP?

[cwp_sedan]

Sounds like a wheel bearing like dentinger said, but then again it could even be your tires so who knows.

I doubt either would be covered as both are probably considered "wearable" items. Are you out of your 3-year 80k warranty already?

[Bean]

Nope. At 54,600 km and just over 2 years we have had the car. Got it in January of 2007. I cannot believe this. If it is that, then why did my Hondas last over 300,000 km??? Totally frustrated here. But of course, it could just be the tire (HOPING)

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Would either a Ball Joint or Bearing be covered under the MAP?

my wheel bearing was covered when replaced back in 2006.

[Bean]

I hope mine will be, provided thats what it is. Will keep you all posted.

[wikdslo]

The best way to tell if it's a wheel bearing, get up to speed (60km/h) and turn the wheel to the right and hold, then left and hold (will cause you to swerve around in the lanes a bit!)

The point is to make a gradual but somewhat long turn, so that you are causing the car to shift it's weight forward and onto that wheel (left turn = right side pressure).

If the sound becomes more pronounced turning left, it's your right wheel bearing.
If it's more pronounced turning right, it's your left wheel bearing.

Could also be a tire issue, out of balance, etc. But *usually* when it gets louder as you turn, it's your bearing, not your wheel.

Shop rate on one of these is about $300 if not done under warranty. Part goes for about $160 as the bearing and hub come as a complete unit (way to go mazda :()

[Bean]

Okay. Will give that a shot with my daughter in the car as she loves that. Thats how she plays the game Test Drive Unlimited on the PS3 :)

[kevcol74]

Did the car sit for a while at all? "Woosh Woosh" sounds like rust on the rotors, the break in the noise (silence) is where the pad was sitting, hence no rust there.... Or a warped rotor.... Sounds like the rotors causing the noise though, bearing are usually a constant noise, though noisier when turning, they don't tend to "cycle" on rotation of the wheel, thats more of a brake thing.

[Bean]

No, not really. When it is parked, it is kept in a garage.

[kevcol74]

Parked in a garage means nothing, moisture gets everywhere, expecially on bare metal (ie rotors)
Any kicking in the brake pedal?
Cheap rotors will rust slightly after a rainfall! Keep that in mind!lol

[Bean]

None. No kick whatsoever. And I am surprised my brakes are still in good condition with 54,600 km on them.

[kevcol74]

Woosh Woosh tells me its happening every rotattion of the tires. Thats not typical of a bearing. Look for a warped rotor, rust on it, or maybe just something caught behind the wheel... (could be something rubbing on the rim) Pull your wheel off, and look for anything unusual.

[Bean]

Okay. Will have my neighbour do that for me. ;)

[lightingwhite32008.5]

i got the same thing with my car man it's annoying so i'm gonna bring it to the shop as soon as possible,

[DreamM3]

I have noticed lately, a Woosh Woosh sound coming from the front of the car, especially the front passenger side. How would I know if the Ball Joints are gone? The sound seems to get louder as the speed of the car increases.

Anyone know? Anyone?

I had the same problem... it ended up being the front passenger side mud deflector in the wheel well... all I did was make the guy who put my summer tires on just shake it out and tighten the screws because it was loose. Problem solved.

Total cost = $0.

[wikdslo]

Did the car sit for a while at all? "Woosh Woosh" sounds like rust on the rotors, the break in the noise (silence) is where the pad was sitting, hence no rust there.... Or a warped rotor.... Sounds like the rotors causing the noise though, bearing are usually a constant noise, though noisier when turning, they don't tend to "cycle" on rotation of the wheel, thats more of a brake thing.

If it was rust on the rotors it would wear away pretty quick.

It could be the rotor is warped and that sound comes from the contact made by the pad, but you would also feel the car jerking a bit as you drive as that pad contact would cause the car to slow down a bit.

Could be tire noise as well.

[Bean]

Its not tire noise. I was supposed to be taking the car in on Friday for an Oil Change but have to reschedule that thanks to a bill that needs to be paid first. Will deal with it later.

[DreamM3]

Similar problem with my car.

I had my summer tires put on last week, and I brought the car to Wal-mart tire centern (stupid idea - did it only because I had a gift card.). I don't have two seperate pairs of rims becasue I just got my 3 in Feb.

Anyways, now when going slow - around 40km/h and below - I hear woosh woosh/tire rub sound at the passenger side. I have noticed at higher speeds that my car jumps a bit from the tires as well. I am pretty certain it's the tire balancing... I am going to tear Wal-Mart a new hole after work today. Last time I was there with my old Jetta, they lifted it by the FENDER and it cost them $1000 because the fender cracked. Idiots.

Now before I go in throwing haymakers, do you also agree it's the tires balancing? I know it's not any of the joints/bearings because I myself inspected them two days ago.

Any other possibilities?

Btw. Lesson learned. Never go back to Shit Mart again.

[wikdslo]

Now before I go in throwing haymakers, do you also agree it's the tires balancing? I know it's not any of the joints/bearings because I myself inspected them two days ago.

Any other possibilities?

Btw. Lesson learned. Never go back to Shit Mart again.

It's tough to say what it is. Could be many things.

Your only option to get this fixed without being out of pocket, is to take it back to them and tell them they didn't do it right from the get-go.

GL

[DreamM3]

It's tough to say what it is. Could be many things.

Your only option to get this fixed without being out of pocket, is to take it back to them and tell them they didn't do it right from the get-go.

GL

I agree. I am confident it's tires which are not balanced...but as you say, thinking isn't knowing.

[DreamM3]

It was the balancing. Lesson learned.