Front End Noise

[lansing]

2007 Sonata SE, 74,000 miles

Just took the car in for brake service (not the dealership) because of what I was convinced was a brake pad sensor warning sound - something I've heard with other cars I've had, and been correct about. However, the tech said the pads were fine.

The sound is a high pitched squeal, intermittent, coming from the passenger front wheel. It can be heard when coasting at moderate speed (30 mph or so), not so much when accelerating, and especially when turning left. It got worse today, with a low grinding sound at moderately slow braking speed that started after about two hours of start and stop driving (house hunting). The car has needed a couple re-alignments and will have to get checked for possible camber? adjustment (rear tires wore badly on outside edges, far less pronounced on front tires). Car has tendency to pull to the right.

Any thoughts on a main culprit here for the squealing-grinding noise or about the possible inter-relatedness of symptoms would be much appreciated.

[Luxury]

Might be a bad wheel bearing. That could cause all of the issues that you describe.

[Dennis the Mennis]

Agreed; Hyundai wear sensors make a horrible, scary grinding sound. Bearings squeal.

[Partner]

Right front wheel bearing. turning left puts load on right bearing.

[lansing]

Thanks all for your replies!. I'll try to get the wheel off soon and have a quick look around for any obvious issues I might be able to spot re: pad placement, bent parts, bad rotor surfaces and foreign objects (road debris), after which I'll take the car in and specifically ask for an inspection of the bearings. Also, in this especially cold and messy winter weather the car has seemed more "vocal" in taking on rougher roads with the bumps and potholes: in getting the front end lubricated what are the particular places I should be certain to have lubricated? Thanks again?

[sbr711]

QUOTE (lansing @ Feb 21 2011, 05:08 PM)

after which I'll take the car in and specifically ask for an inspection of the bearings.
[b]There is no real visual inspect of bearings... you do that your self while driving... a worn bearing will make a roaring noise, increase with speed or load/unload of weight on wheel


Also, in this especially cold and messy winter weather the car has seemed more "vocal" in taking on rougher roads with the bumps and potholes: in getting the front end lubricated what are the particular places I should be certain to have lubricated?
[b]There are no lubrication points to be shot witih lube gun..

[Negative 1]

My Sonata had a high-pitched squeal coming from the passenger side as well. Turned out I simply needed to remove my wife from the front seat.

[thecapt]

Hate to bring up an old topic, but would a wheel bearing be covered under warranty if the car has less than 45,000 miles? I'm not sure if this is what my problem is, but I am getting a metallic whirling sound when I turn right going over 30mph, and it is coming from my front drivers side wheel. I am also getting a sort of "pop" sound every once in a while when I hit a bump from that same wheel area.

I hate to ask, but if this isn't covered by warranty, what would a job like this cost? I have never changed a wheel bearing, and probably don't have the tools needed so I would likely have to pay to get it done.

Thanks

[ActionMan]

A new wheel bearing will cost a few hundred per wheel. Wheel bearings typically make a sound that gets more pronounced the faster you go and they usually don't pop over bumps. I'm wondering if you might have an issue with your transaxle or brake. In any of those cases, if it is due to a faulty part, then it should be a covered warranty issue. None of them should fail before 100K at the very least, unless the CV boot has been torn or wheel bearing/brake has been damaged from an outside force.

[thecapt]

Well, I'll be hoping it's covered under warranty. I'm taking it in Wednesday for an oil change/ brake inspection and I will just mention the sound. It's strange that I don't hear it while driving straight, just making the right turn. It's silent while making a left turn.

I'm not sure about that popping sound either...it doesn't happen on every bump, I can't reproduce it by trying to hit a bump, and when I finally drive over a rough enough surface that makes it pop, it's too late for me to tell why this was any different than the speed bumps in a parking lot (which it never pops when I hit).

Strange, strange problem...maybe I'll get it checked out by the old muffler shop tomorrow just in case it's something stupid easy. I wouldn't want to pay the dealer $75 to look at it if it's something I can fix.