My '95 Neon (2.0L, auto trans.) has developed a front-end growl. It is consistent with road speed, not gear range. At first, it could be heard between about 40 and 60 MPH. Now, it's audible from about 5 MPH upward. In addition, at first it was audible only when the car was going around curves to the left; now, it can be heard going straight and left. The sound is a little less prominent going around curves to the right, but it's still there. The sound SEEMS to be coming from left of center, but I'm not absolutely certain. Can anyone offer a suggestion as to what it might be?

 

-Pretty much sounds like the right front wheel bearing is going out. The usual test is when you turn one way or the other, if the sound gets louder, it's the opposite wheel bearing. Like you said. You made a left turn, so that was putting extra weight and pressure on the right front wheel, causing the noise to get louder. And when you turn to the right, the weight has moved more to the left side so it eases the pressure on the bad bearing making it quieter. Might as well change them both out so you don't have to go through it again when the left bearing bites the dust...

L8R,
Matt

 

If you can hear it from 5mph that wheel bearing is REALLY BAD.