05' Impreza knocking & humming issues - help?

[Scuba Scotty]

Hey everybody,

 

I have an 05' impreza outback sport wagon and it's having some issues.

 

Issue 1:

 

At low speeds there's some clunking/knocking noises coming from the front right tire area when I hit bumps. It doesn't happen on every bump or at higher speeds (40+). It seems to happen more when I hit something raised in the pavement vs a divot. I also notice it happening more when I'm turning left. It sounds like it's coming from near the wheel or underneath the passenger seat vs higher up.

 

Issue 2:

 

I've got a humming/roaring/howling noise happening. It' strongest from about 30 - 45 mph. It changes cadence a little bit when I turn but doesn't seem to be much louder when I turn one way or the other - but it seems to "wah - wah - wah" a little more when I turn left (maybe I could be attributing this being more sensitive due to the other issue). It's not that noticeable at 50+mph.

 

Any suggestions?

 

-Scotty

[EVOthis]

...im going to say that the humming you are hearing is either hearing you wheel bearings or your tires......do you have like a snow or mud tires on your impreza?.....how many miles are on the car?......i would say its to new to need wheel bearings....if i were you and you have access to a jack and jackstands or a lift i would get under there and see if there is anything visable that is missing or damaged........but you do say that its not to noticeable at 50mph +...........usually with wheel bearings and aggresive tread tires it gets noiser at higher speeds.........but my first step would be to do a visual inspection

[Scuba Scotty]

I've done a visual inspection, everything seems to be in order. 49,500 miles. No snow or tires or anything. Definitely loudest from 30 - 45 mph, still there at higher speeds I guess but sounds more "normal" at 60+ (like it could be a usual noise at that speed). I think I'll try rotating the tires and see if that does anything.

 

-Scotty

[EVOthis]

if it is just a real loud humming i still sticking with noisy tires......i know my tires on my old saturn were very loud even after they were worn in......to check you wheel bearings you can jack up the front of the car and grab the tire at 12 and 6 oclock and rock it back and forth......do the same thing at 3 and 9 oclock....if you have excessive movement in both directions chances are that your wheel bearings are going bad.......

[nipper]

How are the cv joints. Are there any dimples in the tires. If you rotate the tires on the left side of the car does the sound move?

 

WHat happens when you push down hard on the bumper?

 

nipper

[Scuba Scotty]

Nothing happens when I push down hard on the bumper. I'm not sure how to test the CV joints. That was my first idea but my mechanic buddy didn't seem to think so, I was thinking the right cv could be responsible for both problems.

 

I'm going to rotate the tires. I was just looking underneath the car, and it "looks" like the end links aren't tight (for the clunking noise). When I had the car lifted they seemed tight but with the suspension under load they don't look so good, I'm taking the wrench to 'em for sure. They're looking a bit old anyway... maybe I should replace them. If so OEM's? or can I get better ones?

 

-Scotty

[nipper]

If your CV boots arent torn, then at this mileage, the CV joints are fine.

 

nipper

[Scuba Scotty]

So I wasn't able to tighten my end links much, but just looking at them I can see and feel a little gap between where they're bolted on and the parts. Looks like it could certainly knock and move around. Is that normal? (just the way they look). Also is it normal to be having problems with end links at only 50k?

 

-Scotty