96 SL1 noise from wheels all the time

BILLMIK10

MEMBER
1996 SATURN

I recently got a 96 Saturn sl1 13000 miles not driven much and the guy I got it from just put on new tires. When I drive it I get a low hum from the fount end and the faster I go the faster and higher and louder the hum gets. The car drives good, no shimmy or pull so alignment should be ok but this sound is louder than any tires I bought before and something isnt right and I never drove this car with the old tires so I have nothing to compare it too. If I turn the wheel slightly right the hum gets a lil louder and I feel a lil more vibration from the fount end floor. Any ideas anyone? Engine size 1.9

4 Replies

BOOTDOG

MECHANIC
665 POSTS

Check the front hub bearings. To do so jack the vehicle up to where the front tires are off the ground. Then put the car in neutral with the rear wheel chocked to keep the vehicle from rolling. Next, spin each front tire with one hand while placing the other hand on the strut spring to see if you feel a vibration through the spring. Which ever side you feel a vibration, that is the bad bearing. Replace that side and the sound should go away.

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Sunday, April 8th, 2007 AT 9:57 PM

BILLMIK10

MEMBER
9 POSTS

So your pretty sure its a bearing, not a alignment? I did as you said and I got a slight vibration on drivers side and none on passengers side. Could this vibration be from brake? I hate to change a hub bearing that wasnt bad on a car that has 13000 miles on it but 11 years old

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Monday, April 9th, 2007 AT 11:32 AM

BOOTDOG

MECHANIC
665 POSTS

That vibration you feel is the hub bearing. Replace the side that you felt the vibration on, and the noise will be gone. I'm completely sure it's the bearing.

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Monday, April 9th, 2007 AT 1:32 PM

BILLMIK10