Annoying Noise

[BentCoinReturn]

A noise coming from my 2001 GP SE has me a little stumped and I'm counting on the expertise of you folks for ideas. My SE actually sounds like I'm running ATV or snow tires. There is a rumbling/vibrational/droning sound that gets progressively louder as I increase speed. The tone does not change as I pass from rough asphalt to smooth or to concrete, Speed is the only thing that will change the pitch. If I put it in neutral while running... no change. Lightly apply brakes... no change. While I'm idling or revving the engine, the noise is not there. It may be my imagination, but at a crawl, I can almost sense a wobble feeling. I am getting no pull from my steering wheel, and everything appears normal on the surface. My tranny fluid is not low. I doubt it is exhaust related as revving does not affect the noise. Any thoughts???

[rickisrad]

it sounds to me to be a shifted belt in one of your tires. Take it to get balanced and tell them to check for that problem. That is assuming it is only while you are driving.

[BentCoinReturn]

Originally Posted by rickisrad

it sounds to me to be a shifted belt in one of your tires. Take it to get balanced and tell them to check for that problem. That is assuming it is only while you are driving.

I tried rotating all of the tires and it never made any difference on the noise. I have even shut the engine off and put it in neutral while rolling downhill and the noise pitch increases with speed and gets lower as I slow down. I'm wondering if it could have anything to do with wheel bearings, rotors, transaxle, etc. Anything worth looking into or is there something else that comes to mind?

[jon95se]

most definately could be wheel bearings. if there is a wobble. then you shouldnt be driving on them if that is the case. easy check. jack the car up and spin the wheel. if you hear the grinding (it will be obvious) then that is the bad one. credit rick is rad for that shifted steel belt. that definately could be the case. seeing how you rotated, likely a wheel bearing. unless you have an axle going out. but those dont normally hum to my knowledge.

[kustomkid54]

Originally Posted by BentCoinReturn

I tried rotating all of the tires and it never made any difference on the noise. I have even shut the engine off and put it in neutral while rolling downhill and the noise pitch increases with speed and gets lower as I slow down. I'm wondering if it could have anything to do with wheel bearings, rotors, transaxle, etc. Anything worth looking into or is there something else that comes to mind?

I'd say Rick is right. The faster you go, the worst it sounds.
Any good tire store will check for free.

[Ridenour]

I agree with the bearings. All four of the bearings were shot on my grand am after I rolled it, and it sounds like exactly what you're describing. And like jon said, if it's wobbling, it could be about to seize.