loud whine/vibration in front end

timexim · Post by **timexim** » March 25th, 2007, 10:49 pm

I just got my car on the road and one thing I've noticed is as I go up in speed I hear a whine/vibration from the front end that gets louder the faster I go. From the drivers seat I hear it like it's somewhere in the front end but my friend riding in the passenger seat was sure it was coming from the passenger side wheel well. I know the car badly needs an alignment which I will be having done on wednesday(living paycheck to paycheck sucks), so if I can't find anything til then I figure I'll ask them to do a quick inspection while doing the alignment. I know that the vibration is enough that over 35mph I feel it really noticeable through the gas pedal

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » March 26th, 2007, 10:32 am

A bad alignment should be felt through the steering wheel, but from what you describe I would say alignment too.

atlantamx3 · Post by **atlantamx3** » March 26th, 2007, 4:14 pm

Bad Wheel Bearings maybe?

timexim · Post by **timexim** » March 26th, 2007, 5:44 pm

Today I got a chance to listen with the passenger window open while driving in town. The sound I heard kinda sounded like wheel bearing however in the past I haven't known bad bearings to cause a vibration like this. In my sentra they weren't just worn, the rings were broken in pieces even and it just made noise. I'm having an alignment done tommorow and they are gonna look for what is causing it so I should have an answer tommorow evening. While the bearing sounded like it was making noise, I really do think the vibration is the alignment as it pulls pretty nastily and sometimes at about 10-15 mph on semi sharp turns the tires squeel with out even being on the gas. So I'm thinking the wheels are angled toward or away from each other.

timexim · Post by **timexim** » March 27th, 2007, 8:28 pm

Well when I took it for the alignment they wouldn't do it. They told me both outer tie rods moved up/down and side to side so that is most likely the culprit for the vibration. I've ordered 2 new outer tie rods and am installing them tommorow night.

timexim · Post by **timexim** » April 18th, 2007, 11:50 pm

While I replaced both outer tie rods about 3 weeks ago I haven't been able to afford and alignment til now and it still felt like something was loose or bad. Sadly I was too right. I took it to the local Midas which has always treated me well and found the horror I've gotten myself into. They even advised I tow it home. Both wheel bears are shot. Drivers side has a little play but nothing extreme. However passengerside was horrid. Pushing on the top of the tire it appeared to move inward about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. I was astonished. From all that movement it has even torn the axle boot off. Needless to say the car is back at my parents house and tommorow I'll be taking care of the bearings and lower ball joints. At the rate I'm going I'll have a whole new suspension til I have it right lol