2000 jetta making loud humming noise

[4shizzy]

the 2000 jetta is a gls with manual tranny. itmakes this loud anoying humming vibration noise which gets louder with increasing speed. if i cruise around 55mph it is the loudest. the sound doesn't change if i throw it into neutral with the engine at idle speed. i though it was the tires for sure cause it was worn out but i bought 4 new tires and it still does the same sounds. i wondering if it would be the tranny, wheel bearings, or the drive shafts. i'm stumped. any ideas guys?

[Mr Vegas]

It sounds like it maybe your wheel bearings,you can isolate where it's coming from by listening when cornering the car,otherwise jack the wheels up and check for any 'play' in the bearing and also check to see if you can feel any vibration/roughness through the spring while you spin the wheel.
It could possibly be your c.v joints aswell...

[veedubmechanic]

Do you have a lowered suspension?
VW wheel bearings hate lowered suspensions and usually go out after 20-30k on a lowered suspension.

I would say its most likely your wheel bearings left or right front ones.

If you turn right and the noise goes away its the left wheel bearing.
If you turn left and the noise goes away its the right wheel bearing.

[4shizzy]

Thank guys. The driver side wheels bearings are bad. I think it went bad because of my wife drove over a curb and ripped out the plastic wheel shroud awhile ago. Women!!! Thanks. I was also thinking of lowering the car too. thanks for the insight on those bearings.

Also, the engine drinks oil like crazy. i have to pour a quart of oil in about every 1.5 - 2 weeks. is that normal? is there a way to drop a 6spd tranny in? it just revs like crazy on the highway.