roar that I can't identify

[acipiter]

I am new to this forum. I have a 2002 LaSabre that I purchased used with 70,000 miles. After a few months it developed a roaring noise that is very annoying. It almost overpowers the radio. Below 20 mph it does not exist. At any faster speed it occurs and gets louder with speed.

After driving and putting it up on a lift, my mechanic said he thought it was the tires. The tires had some uneven wear. I just bought 4 new Goodyear Comfort Treads at a local dealer. Very good rating for noise and ride at Tire rack.com. Unfortunately, I am still experiencing the roaring sound, although maybe there is a slight improvement.

My wife refuses to drive the car and my 17 year old says he warned me about buying an "old man's car".

Has anyone experienced this problem? I did not see a reference in the archives.

Thanks in advance.

[gr8tylor]

Is the roar coming from your engine or wheels? If its your wheels the only thing that comes to mind is wheel bearings, but they usually last to 150k or more....

[acipiter]

Originally Posted by gr8tylor

Is the roar coming from your engine or wheels? If its your wheels the only thing that comes to mind is wheel bearings, but they usually last to 150k or more....

It definitely sounds as if it is coming from the tires, not from the engine.
I assume it could be coming from the wheel bearings. Do wheel bearing
problems cause a similar roar?

[avatar307]

The wheel bearings shouldn't be going out in a 2002.... they just shouldn't need replaced unless something was wrong with them at the factory. I've got a 1995 with 175k on it, and I've never replaced mine.

Wheel bearings shouldn't really make a roar. More of a squealing. However, if they went out, it would allow your tire to move/wobble in ways it shouldn't, which could make a roaring type noise.

On account of you had some noticibly abnormal wear on your tires, and are pretty sure the noise is coming from the tires... Have you considered having your alignment checked and corrected? Many places will load the car up and check it for free, having them correct the alignment costs... $70-100. (Though many places charge more.)

[acipiter]

Now, the rest of the story...

I went back to my mechanic today. He last looked at my car about 6 weeks ago when he thought it was the tires causing the roar. Today was his first time riding in my car with the new tires, which I bought yesterday. After 2 minutes in the car he said that the noise had gotten much worse than it had been the last time. He had me swerve slightly back and forth in my lane and said he thought it was the right front wheel bearings. He had some time to work on my car today and replaced the bearings. When I picked up the car, he confirmed that they were bad. He was right, the roar was completely eliminated.

I might have gotten a few more miles out of my old tires, if I had kept them, but I think they were making enough noise that it helped to mask the real problem.

My new Goodyears are excellent. I would now match the comfort and quiet ride of my car to any luxury sedan (I could not say that before, even prior to my "roar" developing).

Thanks to those who commented. I guess I will now explore whether there is any factory warranty that might cover the bearings. I have my doubts.