Growling noise with each wheel revoluion

[mazatleco]

There is a rubbing noise coming from the left rear area of the car. It is not continuous but occurs with each wheel revolution. We put the car up on a lift and rotated all the wheels and could not reproduce it. Of course, the suspension is not compressed then fr whatever that's worth. We could not see any indication of wear anywhere or bent components. The car has only 3,000 miles on new tires and was aligned at that time. One rear wheel bearing was also replaced then at 82,000 miles. The car drives beautifully, tracks straight. I do take it over crappy roads on surf trips and Mexico is frought with topes and high curbs. Any ideas? Thanks!

[idosubaru]

if nothing is rubbing, then it's the wheel bearing.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/143097-is-that-my-wheel-bearing-easy-diagnosis/

 

or listen with a mechanics stethoscope on the strut spring/body for noise while rotating the tire with it jacked up.

[MilesFox]

could be a high spot on the rotor. or the bearing could have failed enough that although it may not be making noise, and the edge of the rotor is tagging the caliper bracket. Look for slanted brake pad wear. Perhaps loosen and re-torque the axle nut. If one bearing had failed already, then the other one is likely. I would be concerned if the replaced one had failed, in regard to how it was installed. 

[mazatleco]

Thanks to all for the advice. I wanted to listen with a stethoscope but they didn't have one at the garage. I'm in Mexico. I wish I also had an infrared thermometer. My first thought was the other wheel bearing but the noise is only part of the revolution of the wheel. [uhwu....uhwu.....uhwu....etc.] Next step I guess is to try to find a garage that can follow some of your suggestions. Thanks again!

[mazatleco]

Forgot to mention new brakes at the time of bearing replacement, tires, etc.

[mazatleco]

I have the solution which turned out to be the rear wheel bearing which was my first thought. I'm back in Iowa City and when I made the noise for the mechanic, told him it didn't occur when on a rack or jacked up, and got worse when I made a turn to the right, loading the defective left wheel bearing, it didn't take him even a block on our test drive to say, "Wheel bearing." I did check the temperature with an IR thermomenter at the hub and would note maybe a 15º F. difference after driving it at highway speeds. However, be aware that if the sun is always shining on that side of the car you will see a difference that is the result of that and not necessarily the wheel bearing. Thanks to all who replied. By checking out other possibilities it helped me be more confident in the final diagnosis.

Thanks,

Mazatleco

Edited May 13, 2014 by mazatleco