2007 M35X help with front suspension issue

[USMC5811]

My 2007 M35X recently started making a little noise in or around the front suspension. The noise is very subtle and almost like a droning noise that is consistent and gets faster as speed increases. I can also feel it a little bit in the drivers side footwell, almost like someone is tapping very lightly on the floor board from underneath.

Immediately i thought it was a wheel bearing, and I'm still leaning towards it being a wheel bearing. However today i rotated my tires, front to back, to make sure it wasn't a tire going bad or out of balance. while rotating the tires I checked for play in both front wheels, even though i think its the drivers side i figured id check all of them. There's no play in the wheels.

Also, from the day I bought the car, every now and then my front suspension will make a grinding noise that can be heard easily and also felt while making a sharp right turn at a very low speed. However it only happens sometimes and I usually can't recreate it if i try. I know there's a TSB about it so in the beginning i figured it could just be whatever the TSB says it is, i think its the steering column, but its not necessary to change it.

Once this constant noise started I wonder if the two are connected?

Anyone have any insight on what it might be? I think its the wheel bearing but could there be a different issue that created those same symptoms? My car has just over 100K on it and I live in NJ so its possible that the wheel bearings could've gotten rusted from salt on the roads after snow storms and such within the past 7 years.

Oh and my TPMS no longer reads the PSI in each wheel after I rotated them. Will it eventually fix itself?

Thanks guys

[Mjkkb2]

There is a simple way to confirm/exclude the wheel bearing suspicion. You need to get on a closed stretch of road, parking lot etc... Drive straight and listen for the noise, then drive turning the wheel left then right like an obstacle course (slalom/zigzag, whatever), IF the noise disappears while turning one direction it is a the wheel bearing on the side you're turning. OR if it get's louder while turning one direction that's the side with the bad bearing.

From your description it doesn't sound like a bearing which most often is a humming type noise. Also, the fact that it doesn't happen all the time makes me think it's something else.

[USMC5811]

Thanks for the input!

I went in to a parking lot and tried what you said but its hard to tell if the noise gets worse or not. The main sound is constant and its like a very dull drone or humming type noise that gets faster and higher in pitch as speed increases. The other noise i Think has to do with the TSB they released about the steering rack, and that noise doesn't happen often.

What else could cause a constant drone like that if it's not the wheel bearing?

[svard75]

It's a wheel bearing.

It's likely because you just lost the seal and the grease leaked out. Initially it makes a noise, as time progresses and the bearings grind their way into the races play will be introduced.

A cars suspension rarely makes a grinding noise. Think about how the suspension moves and the fact that each link has a rubber bushing on either end. If it is in fact grinding you have a seriously work end link and that would definitely introduce play. I think you are mixing the two up unnecessarily. It's your wheel bearing that's making this noise.

The thumping that you were feeling could likely be cupping on the tires. Our suspension links are alloy and as such an alignment should be considered yearly on poor roads and every 2 years on good smooth roads or every time you change your worn tires.

[midnightclub619]

It's a wheel bearing.

It's likely because you just lost the seal and the grease leaked out. Initially it makes a noise, as time progresses and the bearings grind their way into the races play will be introduced.

A cars suspension rarely makes a grinding noise. Think about how the suspension moves and the fact that each link has a rubber bushing on either end. If it is in fact grinding you have a seriously work end link and that would definitely introduce play. I think you are mixing the two up unnecessarily. It's your wheel bearing that's making this noise.

The thumping that you were feeling could likely be cupping on the tires. Our suspension links are alloy and as such an alignment should be considered yearly on poor roads and every 2 years on good smooth roads or every time you change your worn tires.

I didn't see any other posts about the issue were when turning to the right, there was a grinding/humming sound. This has been happening only when I make a right turn at slow speeds approx. 5-10mph. That is the only time that I will hear/feel that sound. After reading this, sounds like I have to change the bearing/hub on my right wheel, is that right?

[Wangtang408]

I had the same issue with the humming sound and grinding sound as I slowed down to a complete stop. I replaced the hub/wheel bearing and problem fix.

[DS2009m35x]

I have the same problem with my 2009 (108k). groaning sound when you turn right. Definitely worse in the winter with the cold. Definitely diminishes in the warmer weather and after I've been driving when the fluid is even warmer. Dealer found leaking PS rack (TSB and new rack PN). I got along with the service guy who told me on the QT he wouldn't replace it. Just top off the fluid periodically. Dealer quote was $2200. this was parts, labor, alignment, tax.
It is very annoying. Its like the car is not 100% and I want to fix it, but... Others have said to look into a rebuilt rack and have an indy do the R&R. I also received a response to turn right/left/right/etc while going slowly to help purge the system of any air which didn't seem to help in my case.
Thats my rundown. Good luck and keep us posted.