2005 Outback wheel hub noise?

[Lisa]

My 2005 Outback 5 speed wagon sounds like an airplane on the highway.

It is making a whuuuwhuuuwhuuuooo noise that stays consistent with the speed of the car - clutch in-out does not effect it. 

BUT it does sound different on different pavements - don't know if this is echo or?

Could be newer tires, but they are Michelins, about 1 year old, set of four.

I've been told it could be wheel hubs, but it sounds too even - I have sat in the back seat to listen while someone else drove and I cannot pinpoint any one firm direction.  I gnerally have very good hearing....

 

Any one have this experience? Suggestions?  Thanks!

 

[Rooster2]

Perhaps a tire problem caused by bad wheel alignment. That is what I am living with on my 99 OBW. I should have gotten a wheel alignment after changing a half shaft but didn't. Car drove just fine with no directional pulling. Eventually, i wore the tires unevenly, so now I have the whuupwhuup sound.

 

You might rotate the tires, and get an alignment to see if that helps.

[1 Lucky Texan]

some tires will change sound as they age, but the concern is, you may have a bad wheel bearing.

 

Subarus are notorious in having atypical symptoms at times and your best move would be to have an experienced mechanic inspect the car.

 

There may be no immediate danger, but if this is a bad bearing and were ignored for 'many' miles, you could have uneven tire wear and/or unsafe handling and braking.

 

Consider a new thread asking for a shop recommendation in newton. someone may know a good mechanic near you.

Edited April 22, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan

[ShawnW]

Those are bolt in wheel bearings and I replaced a TON of them under warranty at a Subaru Dealer.  If the car sees gravel roads its almost twice as often they need replaced or cleaned between the bearing and the hub per a bulletin they had.  Chances are very good you need them done.

[Lisa]

I appreciate the feedback.  But can anyone tell me they've heard this noise before and they had work done that resolved it?  I noticed today I think it gets loader as it gets warmer.  The longer the trip the louder it is.  Still sound like hubs?

Thanks in advance for any input!

[1 Lucky Texan]

well, many people have had bad wheel bearings that were replaced and the noise is solved.

 

But, we are just talking on the internet. An experienced mechanic or accomplished DIYer that could actually drive and inspect the car is in a MUCH better position to listen to the noise, feel or measure temp differences of the hub, inspect the brakes, rock the wheel up and down, feel the spring for 'crunchiness' when turning the wheel and other diagnostic procedures.

 

we can only offer educated guesses.