mdsbob

I have a '98 Sable Wagon with DOHC engine. Car has 185,000 miles.

Just recently on both acceleration and deceleration I noticed a "roaring" noise at 45 mph coming from the front end. At first it was mostly (or loudest) at 45 mph. Over the last few days the speed range (wider speed range) as well as the audible sound has increased.

I have turned the engine off and put it neutral and there is no change in the audible sound or speed at which it occurs.

I recently noticed that if I turned to the right the audible sound would stop (or nearly stop). Turning to the left made almost no noticeble difference.

Any ideas? Wheel bearings? CV joints?

Thanks,
Bob

Johnny Mullet

Sounds like a wheel bearing to me. If it gets quieter or goes away on a right curve, then it is most likely the left bearing hub.

Johnny Mullet

***********EDIT**********

If the noise goes quiet on a right turn, then it is the right hub.
If it is as loud as you say it is, both could be going bad, but the other one is not noticeable until you change the bad one.

mdsbob

Thanks Mullet Man...
I also had thought that (if it is a wheel bearing) that it would be the right side one. Outside wheel with more side load in a turn.

I know these are sealed ball/roller bearings and don't have any experience with them. I am used to typicall Tapered Timken bearings on fronts that will also "feel rough" as they are going bad. With the car on a jack, the front wheels still roll nice and smooth. Not as easy to tell rolling axle shafts with the wheel though.

Also with Timkens they get worse with speed. These seem to have a "resonance", or with increasing/decreasing speed they are worst around 45 mph then get better.

Thanks,
Bob

Johnny Mullet

It is not too bad of a job if you have an aircompressor and an impact gun.

Jack it up and support it. Remove the wheel. Remove the 30MM axle nut. Remove lower ball joint nut and seperate ball joint. Use a large bar to swing it out of the control arm and push axle through. Remove the 3 bolts holding the hub/bearing assy and tap or pry it off. Careful of the ABS tone ring!