Humming in wheels

[jettaman1999]

I have a 89 jetta and when you get above 25 mph the car starts to hum something terrible. I replaced and balanced the tires and still does it. Usually if you turn the whell it will stop until you turn it straight again. Any ideas maybe a bearing. The cv boots arent split either.

[stevethefolkie]

You've just described a failing wheel bearing! When you turn you're imparting a load on the bearing that quiets it down. Now you just need to figure out which side - typically if the bearing goes quiet when you turn to the right, it's the right side, quiet to the left, left side - but not always.

You may or may not be able to feel play with the car jacked up - depends on how far gone the bearing is.

Oh - it'll get louder over time - last one I replaced sounded like a 747 taking off the day before I replaced it .....

[liquidmike]

Originally Posted by jettaman1999

I have a 89 jetta and when you get above 25 mph the car starts to hum something terrible. I replaced and balanced the tires and still does it. Usually if you turn the whell it will stop until you turn it straight again. Any ideas maybe a bearing. The cv boots arent split either.

Yup, def. a wheel bearing. I wouldn't wait too long, usually you can go awhile before something really bad happens but once you start getting alot of play with that wheel you risk the chance of fouling up the bearing race in the hub...which would mean replacing not just the bearing but the hub aswell.

[jettaman1999]

thats what i figured just wanted opinions. Thanks guys time ior new bearings. Im just going to replace them in pairs to avoid the whole problem.