Stumped on Roaring Noise

[99dition83]

So my 99 A4WD has recently picked up a roaring noise in what sounds like to me the left front. I did the swerve test and when unloading pressure from the left side on a left hand turn the noise will quiet down or go away. When loading the left side on a right turn the noise really doesn't change pitch but is still there. The noise does not start until you hit about 35 and is present from then on upward in speed. I have replaced the hub/bearing assembly twice thinking I may have gotten a bad unit. The noise is still identical to what it has been and hasn't changed at all. I really do not know what it could possibly be. Please help a brotha out!!!

 

[n.shift]

where you buying the wheel/hub bearing from?

 

[n.shift]

So my 99 A4WD has recently picked up a roaring noise in what sounds like to me the left front. I did the swerve test and when unloading pressure from the left side on a left hand turn the noise will quiet down or go away. When loading the left side on a right turn the noise really doesn't change pitch but is still there. The noise does not start until you hit about 35 and is present from then on upward in speed. I have replaced the hub/bearing assembly twice thinking I may have gotten a bad unit. The noise is still identical to what it has been and hasn't changed at all. I really do not know what it could possibly be. Please help a brotha out!!!

did you change both wheel bearing?

 

[99dition83]

I bought a cheaper one to begin with and changed it out to a Moog. Still same result. The passenger side will be changed this week to see if that changes the noise

 

[n.shift]

I bought a cheaper one to begin with and changed it out to a Moog. Still same result. The passenger side will be changed this week to see if that changes the noise

Could it be tire noise? Rotate tires see if that helps. 4x4? Bad axel?

 

[99dition83]

I know there is some tire noise there. This is for sure a mechanical roar. The axle appears fine from outside inspection. Do they actually make a roaring noise like a bad bearing?

 

[n.shift]

I know there is some tire noise there. This is for sure a mechanical roar. The axle appears fine from outside inspection. Do they actually make a roaring noise like a bad bearing?

Not sure about the noise. But def sounds like a bad bearing. Perhaps you changed the wrong side. I always change both sides at same time

 

[01expy4x4]

Is there any playing passenger side. Normally if bearing going bad it will have play in it. Could it be possible that it could be coming from the back. Sound can travel the drive line and make it seem as if is is from a different location.

 

[josephbourd]

So my 99 A4WD has recently picked up a roaring noise in what sounds like to me the left front. I did the swerve test and when unloading pressure from the left side on a left hand turn the noise will quiet down or go away. When loading the left side on a right turn the noise really doesn't change pitch but is still there. The noise does not start until you hit about 35 and is present from then on upward in speed. I have replaced the hub/bearing assembly twice thinking I may have gotten a bad unit. The noise is still identical to what it has been and hasn't changed at all. I really do not know what it could possibly be. Please help a brotha out!!!

 

[josephbourd]

I know you believe it's mechanical , but I was just thinking maybe it could be an exhaust leak at the flange coming off the manifold .

 

[rjdelp7]

A bad lower ball joint can make some weird sounds.

 

[99dition83]

Still haven't got around to doing the passenger side yet. Have you ever had a bad bearing get quiet under load though? That is why I initially replaced the left side because it would quiet down when making a left turn and pulling the load off of it. Only reason I never suspected the passenger side of being bad. The truck does have a wicked exhaust leak both at the head and the flange. On the short list of things to get repaired. It hard here finding someone that even wants to touch the manifold replacement on it.

 

[99dition83]

Would it make the roar of a bad bearing? I did a lot of reading and everyone seemed to have a different answer for the "roar". Plus the speed thing has me confused below 35 nothing 35 and above noise. I am even getting a pretty steady rumble sensation through the steering and even the gas pedal

 

[David Kimble]

Not sure but I have a similar noise with my all-wheel drive that changes depending on whether I'm accelerating or not. Mine does occur at higher speeds. Best I can tell it's the slip joint for the front drive shaft which causes a roar type noise that can be felt. It's my understanding you can repack them with grease and it will stop that vibration by tightening up the tolerances in the drive shaft. I'm just too lazy to fix it since it's not a failure type thing. I can usually make mine go away by accelerating slightly.

 

[rjdelp7]

When your lower ball joint is bad, your tire is thrust into weird rolling angles. It can sound like a noisy tire or bearing. Turning the steering wheel will change it, or make it louder. Look at your front tires, are the inner ribs wearing?

 

[99dition83]

I just bought the truck, The noise was not there initially. I did notice that the rears are feathered pretty bad which now makes me think they may have rotated them to keep it quiet. I had plans to replace front end parts to begin with just not this soon. Looks as though the elimination process shall begin.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Possible cracked exhaust manifold.

 

[99dition83]

So got it figured out. It was a combination between the left bearing that had been replaced now 3 times and the right front bearing going bad. Finally got both replaced today and the noise is gone. I tested the left front first before replacing the right. It cleared a little bit of the noise. The right side cleared the rest. I can say I now think I may start replacing bearings in pairs, as to not stress myself for nothing next time.