edited: Problem Solved- Replaced right CV shaft and put the bearing I took off the left side that was still good. The CV is the most likely culprit of the noise.

Thanks for your help.


Background
05 Grand Caravan about 120k miles. Months ago had a low level noise. About the same time I did front end work replacing the following parts tie rods, ball joints, both front wheel bearings, quick struts, tires, drivers side CV shaft and steering rack have all been replaced not necessarily for the noise. Front end has been aligned and all replacement work inspected by a professional. The sound has been getting progressively louder over time.

Last diagnosis at a reputable service guy said it was wheel bearing, replaced AGAIN with NO change.

Plans
Replace the last moving part from the front end with a passenger side CV shaft.

The noise is pretty loud and speed related and brakes have no effect. It gets slightly louder with a little left pressure on the steering wheel. No play in steering wheel and car tracks well with no apparent suspension problems.

Any ideas I haven't thought of? I have considered a tranny problem and going to a tranny shop would be my next stop after right side shaft change out.

My wife said the sound got softer after left side CV shaft change and the shaft was indeed worn and a little lose in the outer joint. She just mentioned it as I was typing this.

Thanks and sorry for the long post but trying to anticipate questions.

 

Is this place this dead or just no answers?

 

It sounds like a wheel bearing especially with it getting louder with slight left pressure affecting the intensity. Did you have the rear bearings checked as the noise can travel and fool you from front to rear.

1999

 

Something worth checking out.

I believe the noise was present while the van was on a front end machine with only the front wheels allowed to spin. I wasn't allowed in the shop so it might NOT have been the noise.

Thanks

 

Does this hum vary in intensity on undulating roads? If it doesn't, I'd start looking at the transmission.

 

I don't detect any change in noise based on road conditions. I can see how that indicate a tranny vs CV shaft problem.

It's a higher pitched tone starting at 35mph and gets louder with speed increase. If I put slight pressure to the left on the steering wheel the noise gets quite a bit louder and lower in tone. Humming is the best way I can describe it but rubbing wouldn't be far off the mark either. I was 1/2 quart low on tranny fluid and the tranny shifts well enough. Not perfect but it's got over 100k on the clock.

I made an appointment later today at the local transmission place to have a "look see"

 

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

Noise was incredibly loud and annoying, purchased van 2 years ago and had some good grips on the vehicle, so I always blamed the tires, Replaced tires all around and noise went quieter but still there.

Passenger cv went bad (Clicking) replaced Still same little quieter but still there
Drivers side cv shaft was clicking just replaced and noise is smoother but still there only 50 % noise almost went away for a day or two and its back.

I've had this van looked at 2 shops and numerous back alley mechanics and have always been told my bearings are good, nothing wrong with them and I've replaced and checked numerous bearings on my own and know when I have a bad bearing, I've replaced 20 or so in the past 10 years, from atvs , trucks, to cars so I do know what to look for.

These are what I've replaced and now I'm at a loss at to what it could be:

Left and right Cv Shafts
Left Caliper (Worn)
Front Struts
Front Pads
Rear Axle Bushing passenger side ( Started banging)
Rear Shocks (Worn)
All New Winter Tires (2 weeks ago) should also mention no abnormal wear on any of the tires I've replaced on this van.


Could it be Transmission although it has never given me any trouble.