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i started getting a lound noise and some vibration from the front end. kind of sounds like bearing going bad, but lower in pitch. Could this be a CV joint? Car has lot of miles with all original fron end except struts and brakes.

This could very easily be a CV joint going bad although you could also have a bearing issue as well. When do you feel the vibration? If it is only with braking check the rotors. If it is high speed around 50-70mph then it is probably the CV joint. If it is a constant noise but only intermittant vibration then it is probably a bearing.

You may also want to consider having the tires rebalanced as this can also cause a vibration in the front end.

This could very easily be a CV joint going bad although you could also have a bearing issue as well. When do you feel the vibration? If it is only with braking check the rotors. If it is high speed around 50-70mph then it is probably the CV joint. If it is a constant noise but only intermittant vibration then it is probably a bearing.

You may also want to consider having the tires rebalanced as this can also cause a vibration in the front end.


Tires were just balanced. The noise appears at about 45-50 mph and is louder and pitch changes when making left turn. Above 50 noise is same - no increase. Right turns have no effect on loudness or pitch.

At 40-55 does the noise start or is it there all the time? I suspect a wheel bearing is bad since it is louder when you turn left. Although I would have the CV joints checked since they mimmick wheel bearings. Not a definitive answer to your question but without actually hearing the noise difficult to diagnose.