odd noise coming from front wheels

[pontiacgp759]

I just noticed this weekend that my car makes a strange noise coming from the front wheels somewhere. its a low rumble and is loudest at about 10-30mph. I've always had a faint rumble due to having cheap tires (i think its the tires) but recently this noise has become more noticable along with the new low rumble i'm hearing. Also when i turn and i'm going at a slow speed it also has the loud rumble only a little louder. I made sure i had proper air pressure in the tires and i also looked for a bent rim. any ideas what it is? any similar problems you guys have encountered? my car has almost 120k miles and hasn't had anything replaced to my knowledge. maybe something has just worn out? any info is appreciated

[whiney]

Wheel bearings maybe?

[pontiacgp759]

what kind of problems will bad wheel bearings cause? Any idea how much it is gonna set me back to get this fixed?

[schreurs1]

it sounds like a wheel bearing to me and its a common problem, its a sealed bearing assembly and they usually run in the 100 dollar area, maybe a little more pending on the bearing you get. there are easy to check and do. jack the car up and roll the tire, it might sound like theres sand in the bearing, makes a kind of grinding noise. also grab the top and bottom of the tire and try moving the tire up and down. if its bad youll feel some play or looseness in the bearing.

they are pretty easy to replace too. take off your caliper and mount, pads and rotors and remove the 3 15mm bolts and the axle nut. then its just a matter of getting it out of the spindle. use plenty of knocker loose, and a hammer chisel, pry bar, and a beer may be necessary to get it out if there is some dirt and rust in it. also make sure when you pound the axle out of the bearing that you use a dead blow or soft hammer so you dont damage the threads on the axle.

[pontiacgp759]

thanks man for the response. that was very helpful and i will jack it up to see if this is the problem. I dont figure you would happen to know the symptoms of a bad transmission or motor mount would you? i think either of those have worn out as well.

[02BlueGTP]

Could also be the plastic panels and wheel shrowds underneath.. they vibrate something nasty when busted.