02' Regal 3.8 engine

[armallard]

There is a roaring noise coming from the front end when driving. It doesn't do it while idling. The faster you go the faster it gets. You can also feel in steering wheel. Where can this be coming from? Any help would be appreciated.

[BNaylor]

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing which is located in the hub assembly.

[armallard]

Naylor, how can i check it to see if that is what it is without taking it all apart. It seems like it is getting worse the more she drives it. What could happen if it finally goes out?

[BNaylor]

Just to be sure does this noise only occur while the car is moving? At what approximate speed? Or do you hear it with the car stationary at idle or rpms raised? Bad wheel bearings normally start making noise around 30-40 mph and it gets progressively worse. Almost sounds like an airplane on top of you. It may change in pitch as you move the steering from side to side.

[armallard]

Yes only when its moving. It starts some where in the 20 mph range. She said she could feel in the steering and gas pedal. Sounds like it is coming from one side also if that helps.
Not much of a mech. how much am i looking to spend if thats whats wrong.

[BNaylor]

Cost of a front hub varies depending on whether it is a Delco or aftermarket. $90 - $220. But this does sound like a bad hub which has the wheel bearings and wheel sensor for the ABS system. See link below for an idea of the work involved.

Click here

[armallard]

Thanks, BNaylor for all the info. Do you think it would hurt the drive the car until this weekend won't be able to get on it until then. Just taken it easy around town?

Again thanks for the info

[BNaylor]

You're welcome.

I have driven with noisy hubs for up to a couple of months so a few days probably won't hurt. As long as they are not getting ready to come apart or disintegrate. You could safely jack up one front wheel at a time and do a pull test to make sure there is no excessive slop to determine how bad they are. 12 and 6 o'clock and 9 and 3 o'clock. Some 9 and 3 slop may be normal due to tie rod movement/wear. Better safe than sorry.

[armallard]

BNaylor done the pull test none of them had any play except the front two which was very very little. So does that still sound like a hub? Also the noise i described its kinda like the sound mud tires make.

[BNaylor]

Then probably safe to say you can run with the suspected bad hub(s) for a short period of time but just be careful. On the noise how about like a prop driven airplane? If so it still sounds like a hub issue to me.