2004 Hyundai Sonata Weird Sound (YouTube link)

[vulcanman]

I have a 2004 Hyundai Sonata I-4 Limited with 80K miles.

Since the last few days I have been noticing this really loud whistling sound that is coming from the underside of the car. I am no sure if its the belts / bearings or what. So I recorded the sound and put it on youtube. Please pay close attention to the squealing sound.

I took it to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it. But they did say that they did not look at the bearings since that would incur additional labor. Moreover, according to them bad wheel bearings sound more like a groan.

Here is the youtube link ... hopefully someone can help !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YapNefFv-b0

 

[LTC8K6]

Sounds kinda like the brake wear indicator.

 

[phucheneh]

Your 'the dealer said' part sounds a lot like 'some retarded service advisor said.' Don't confuse a combination salesman/paper-jockey with someone who knows anything about cars.

It sounds like brakes to me, too. Either the squealer tab or just a vibration issue (i.e. the pads are not worn out, but may need lubrication or lack proper hardware (shims/slides)).

Please tell me the advisor at least asked you WHEN this happened? Also please tell me you'll never go back there, because a service department that can't diagnose brake noise deserves to go out of business.

DOES this happen under braking? Or, rather, does braking have any effect on the noise? With wear indicators, the noise often actually goes away when the brakes are applied.

Also, anything about 'looking at the bearings' (inside of the sealed hub) = 'I should be fired.'