Just recently my mom'* car started making a whirring noise on the driver'* side. I didn't extensively test when it does it, but just drove it so I knew how to describe it on here. When I let off the gas at about 25-30, there was a whirring noise that might be a bad CV joint or bearing or something. I shifted it into neutral while rolling along at 25 mph, and it still made the noise. The pitch of it seems to directly relate to wheel speed. Any suggestions as to what should be replaced? Tranny fluid smells and looks fine, thank god.

Also, it idled like hell, and I think it needs new plugs. I asked my dad, he said he hasn't ever replaced them, and he bought the car a little over two years ago. Which plugs and gap would be best for 100% stock? Can coppers be run? Those would be VERY preferable to the iridium that are recommended if it'* okay.

Thanks

Edit: I read in another thread about a similar problem and it was suggested that it could be a hub bearing. If this is the problem, is it safe to drive with a bad hub bearing?

I jacked up the front end and checked out the wheels. There is about an equal amount of play in both of them, the driver side one is the one making noise. There should be no play at all, right? Another question: could bad wheel bearings cause highway shimmy? It'* either the bearings or the new tires. I ordered Pirelli P-Zero Neros for her a couple months back, but they were balanced normally. She'll have to get them over to one of the Hunters in town if it'* not the bearings causing the slight shimmy. About 6 months back it was really bad, and was fixed by new rotors. The shimmy coming back, but not as bad, seemed to coincide with the new tires - it would have been more gradual if it was from bearings going bad. Anyway, I'm just waiting for a reply, mostly on if it'* safe for her to drive it or not. Thanks in advance.

There should be absolutely no play at all. If you have play and hear the noise, then it'* a very good chance that it'* your wheel bearing hubs. Since both wheels have play, then i would replace both but have your mechanic check your ball joints and tie-rods also to make sure the play isn't coming from them as well. In my case, i had wheel bearing hubs bad on both front and a bad tie-rod end. Had it all replaced at once while the car was in the air and only took 30 minutes to replace 2 wheel bearing hubs and one tie-rod end.

If there is play in the wheels then there will be shimmy, no doubt. Bad wheel bearing hubs may also cause the following dash lights to come on intermittently and sometimes all at the same time:

ABS
Brake
Trac Off

Hope this info helps.

I would say it'* safe for a short time. It all depends on how far gone the bearings are and how long the drives are. Bad wheel bearings have little or no grease so it'* like metal on metal causing alot of heat to the end point that the bearings will eventually sieze up at which point the wheel may come off. (not trying to scare you, just facts of long term driving on bad wheel bearings).

Also because of the extreme heat, it will warp your rotors and you may want to get them turned afterwards (had to have mine tured, they were warped pretty bad because of the heat).

Hope this helps.

Well it will probably be about a week before the hubs get replaced, and we'll check the ball joints and tie rod ends as you suggested. She was supposed to drive about 60 miles of highway for work this week, but hopefully she'll be able to get someone else to go in her place. Thanks for the info