Car makes "droning" noise when driving highway speeds

[debian0001]

Can't seem to figure out what it is. When driving high speeds, I hear a droning noise. It doesn't seem related to the engine because if I am in park and rev, I don't hear it.

If I go 45+ MPH, I can hear it. It almost goes away when i'm turning at high speeds on the highway.

Is is the ball bearings?

 

[mindless1]

This is a new sound? I ask because tires are the most common cause. Have you checked for uneven tread wear recently, maybe it needs an alignment? Wheel bearings, you'll tend to notice play in them when you start or stop changing directions, or more of a grinding or squealing noise, not so much a drone.

Any idea of which wheel(s) it's coming from? One fairly easy and free thing to try is rotating the tires to see if the noise follows a tire.

 

[Bloodystumps]

First what kinda of car ??

if the noise increases with speed or is more pronounced when shifting the weight from one side to the other it probably is a wheel bearing, But there is a few things that can make "droning" noise.

 

[96Firebird]

Could be a tire, could be a wheel bearing. Jack up the front end and check for play in the hub assembly. To do this, grab the tire at 12 and 6 and rock it back and forth. There should be no movement, if there is you have a bad wheel bearing.

 

[mindless1]

^ Rocking it back and forth 12/6 o'clock positions isn't necessarily conclusive of a bad wheel bearing, could be ball joint(s). While the front is jacked up and on jack stands you can get a helper to rock the wheel while you're under the vehicle with a flashlight, grab the knuckle at the ball joints and tie rod end to see where the play is. It can be done by one person but IMO easier for 2 people.

 

[Raizinman]

Close your windows. Your hearing the air pressure inside the car when you open a vent or window.

 

[mindless1]

^ Or upsetting the bee hive in the dash.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Sounds like an over-inflated tire. I had mine at 80psi once. Droned for sure.

Also had a wheel bearing sound like a steady shriek, kind of tea kettle-ish, that persisted until I decelerated to 40 mph.

 

[mindless1]

I hope you used a torque wrench, improper torque is the #1 reason for them failing prematurely. Well that and garbage coming from China.