Need wheel bearings or new tires?

[G35inNC]

I am experiencing a problem with my 2005 Infiniti G35 coupe which has 71k miles. It makes a whomp whomp whomp sounds at slower speeds. I don't notice it on the highway. Brakes were done by Infiniti in February of 2011. Since Infiniti was booked this weekend, I took it to Nissan. They test drove it and said it could be the front tires because of feathering or the wheel bearings but couldn't look at it until next week. So I took it to Tire Kingdom today and they couldn't determine if it was the front tires or the wheel bearings. The rear tires are new and the front tires have 30k on them with a 50k warranty. Tires are V Rated and I usually only get 30k miles but these still have plenty of tread. They are Goodyear ResponsEdge 225 50R 17 V rated. So I don't know whether I should get two new tires or get one or both wheel bearings replaced. Tire Kingdom said it could be the front right but they rotated the front tires and we can't clearly identify the side so it could be both wheel bearings. I switched to Yokahama's on the rears 235 50R 17 since the Goodyears were discontinued so new Yokahamas on the front would run me about $335 if I can get some warranty credit. Tire Kingdom said to replace the front right wheel bearing would be $435. Infiniti said the part is $192 plus labor. I'm not sure if I should get new front tires or have one or both front wheel bearings replaced. I have an appointment with Infiniti tomorrow but if you think I should get new tires, I'll do that through Tire Kingdom and cancel the appt with Infiniti. I could also have Tire Kingdom replace one or both wheel bearings but it sounds like they might be more expensive and I trust Infiniti on mechanical issues. I'm new to the forum but bought my car new in 2005. Can you tell me what you would do in my case? Thanks for your help! I cannot fix anything myself.

Pat

[biggie]

Would get a tire place or dealership to balance the wheels. If they are balanced then it should narrow it to the wheel bearing.

[G35inNC]

Thanks for the suggestion! The tires were balanced at Tire Kingdom when I bought the new rear tires a week ago. I went to Infiniti this morning and they said they were 99% sure it was the front tires and not the wheel bearing(s). I bought two new front Yokohama Avid ENVigors so I now have all new Yokohamas (225s on the front and 235s on the rear). I didn't realize that one of the front Goodyear tires had 45k miles on it. The other one had 30k. I believe it was the older one that was causing all the problems. They also found a nail in it. What a difference new tires made ! I can't believe a tire was causing all those problems. I guess it was unrealistic to think I could get 50k miles on V-rated tires that had a 50k warranty.

Pat

[biggie]

Yeah, when I bought my 19s it had used tires, the fronts did get to the point of some noise and shaking. Its an issue when you can't rotate.