Speed related humming noise from the front of my Cougar

[mduckor]

I have a 1999 Cougar ATX with the V6 and sport package. I bought the car new and currently have 102k miles. For the last month, I have had a pronounced humming noise coming from the front of my car. The noise seems to get louder the faster I drive. It's seems to be the worst between 35- 45 mph. Along with the humming noise, there is a mild vibration causing my car to rattle. I originally thought the noise was coming from my front tires, which were balding on the edges. Costco thought the improper wear was due to a bad alignment. I had the alignment checked two weeks ago and they said it was within specification. Yesterday, Costco replaced my BFGoodrich Traction T/A's with four Michelin (225-50-16), which I had installed yesterday. Unfortunately, the humming noise is still there. What can be making this noise?

[FastCougar]

1) Does it completely stop when the car is stopped but still running?
2) At what speed does it start at if #1 is "Yes"
3) At what speed does it stop at?

My theory is something could be possibly caught in your grill somewhere that is vibrating due to air movement across it. If that is not the case, it could be something in the rotating assembly on the engine, like the power steering pump.

[Rikenbomb]

Wheel bearing going out?

[B3NN3TT]

does it get louder or softer when you turn slightly either way?

[Caution]

does it get louder or softer when you turn slightly either way?

if it does that iam gonna say its a bearing

[mduckor]

No clicking noise when turning the wheel on turns, so it must not be the cv joints

[mduckor]

The noise seems apparent at any speed. The faster I travel, the louder it gets. I drove on the freeway last night and the noise has gotten much worse in the last 3 days. I plan not to drive the car until I take it to the mechanic and have him check the bearing. I have never has them serviced.

[sbcoug]

The noise seems apparent at any speed. The faster I travel, the louder it gets. I drove on the freeway last night and the noise has gotten much worse in the last 3 days. I plan not to drive the car until I take it to the mechanic and have him check the bearing. I have never has them serviced.

It sounds like the wheel bearing. Jack the front of the car up and grab the wheel. Try to move it side to side, and up and down. It shouldn't move. If it does move, you have either a bad wheel bearing or cv joint. Since you don't have a clicking sound when you turn, the wheel bearing would be the culprit.

Once you diagnose the problem, you can save a bunch of cash if you pull the hub yourself to have the bearing replaced. That way, all you need to do it take the hub into a shop and have them press the old bearing out and the new one in, rather than having to do the whole thing and charge you the labor for it. You can probably fix your problem for $50 for the bearing, plus $20 to have a shop press it in. You would also have to buy a puller for the hub, but that is only like $10 at autozone - plus the tool is good to have around for the future. It is pretty easy - pm me if you want a walkthrough.

Hope that helps, good luck.

[deathdoakill]

ive had to deal with this humming noise coming from my car but on mine its when ever i rev the engine or if its idleing it will start humming is this your problem if it is its becuase of the the intake for your air intake where your air filter is at :evil:

[Cobra888]

Hi sounds like the problem I have, on mine there is no change in sound when turning left to right but I changed the wheel bearings anyway just in case but still the same..

Did you actually fix yours..

I'm having mine looked at at the weekend I've been told it may be the Diff bearing,, sounds expensive...