My 1992 LeSabre (155k) makes a sound like a small prop airplane while driving down the road (30mph and higher). I thought it was the front tires which where worn so I changed them. But the noise persists. The noise goes away when i'm turning right or left but comes back when I straighten out. Are my wheel bearings shot ?! Is this tough job for a DIY mechanic?

Thanks John

It sounds like a wheel bearing. Grasp the wheel/tire at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and rock it back and forth. Not so much as to turn the wheel, just "feel" the slack.

Thanks for the response

There is very-very little slack in the front tires and none in the back

Also the sound I am hearing is very uniform and seems to be coming from the front end

Hmm, it's still possible you have a dry/flatspotted bearing that hasn't developed any slack just yet. If you decide to change it, it can be done with regular hand tools, but you'll need a huge socket to fit the axle shaft nut.

yes, sounds just like a wheel bearing. Generally if the pitch changes when you rock the steering back and forth while you are rolling along, that is what it is. if the pitch didn't change, I would suspect the cv joint.

I also agree with a wheel bearing worn. These come as a hub assembly

Thanks for the responses

I have some new info about my dilema to add

I had a friend drive with me to listen to the sound and he said it was coming from the front passengers side loudest

I also looked at the front passenger side tire that I took off (when I changed the front tires) and saw that it was very warn on the inside of the tire

Could a warn bearing cause abnormal tire wear ?

Are my tires out of balance ? Would that make the noise I'm hearing

Thanks

A badly worn bearing can eat up tires.. You could have a bad tire, also. How hot does the drivers side rim get compared to the pass side one?

After further examination from a mechanic friend of mine, the sound coming from the passenger front end he was pretty sure was that of a worn bearing and after feeling the hub after a test spin it was found to be very hot. So the final diagnosis is a worn bearing, so off to Advance I go Thank you for all the responses !