I just noticed the other day a grinding/humming noise coming from the front passenger side of the car while driving. The loudness/pitch of the sound changes with vehicle speed, but NOT with engine RPM. It also does not change if the car is coasting in neutral, or if it'* in gear. At first I thought something was rubbing up against the tire as the wheel was spinning, but that isn't the case because there isn't anything near the wheel that would cause the sound. I'm pretty much stumped. It sounds similar to what a card rubbing on the spokes of a bycicle wheel would sound like, just louder and more 'grinding.' Think of the "rumble" strips on the side of the highway, it'* like that, just without the vibration, and not quite as loud. I thought maybe wheel bearing as well, but the sound doesn't change during turns, or wheel position. Any ideas?

I think its the wheel bearing, it doesnt have to change pitch when turning or going over a bump But it you leave it long enough it will.

sounds like a bad wheel hub the only way to know is to change it. some hubs appear to be fine but make lots of noise. besides in the process of getting to the hub you might find another cause.

Same thing happened to me. One thing to note that mine sounded like it was coming from the passenger side as well, but it was actually the driver side. Or vice versa. Sometimes it telegraphs across the drive train. The hubs really should be replaced in pairs anyway.

But don't let it go too long. The heat generated is not good. By the time I got to mine, the whole thing fell apart in my hands, after I had to take a hack saw to the flange around the upper bolt to finally get it off. I was extremely careful not to damage the threads on the bolt, though.

I agree with every comment thus far. Do yourself a favor: replace both hubs. And it is true it is very difficult to tell which bearing is bad. I just replaced my bearing hubs; first one, then the other. I did it this way because I though I had the problem pinned to the left side..............WRONG. It is a sick feeling replacing the hub, taking her out for a test drive and hearing the same whine. I whined so loud on the way home I drowned out the bearing whine.

I took a video for you guys.. the car goes into the shop tomorrow so I'll let you know the outcome!

Yeah I hear it in your video and it does sound like a wheel bearing going out, but you should prepare yourself for the possibility that the sound will still be there after two brand new wheel hub assembles.

dont take it to the shop its an easy change

If the mechanic diagnoses a wheel bearing and changes it, then the noise from the bad one should be gone. If the problem were misdiagnosed, then you should expect the noise to still be there and change mechanics.

I just got the car back and it'* all fixed up. The wheel bearing itself was $250 in parts alone, and he charged me only $70 for the labor, he worked on it for around 2 hours so in all I'm happy with the work. Real nice guy, too. I'll be going back to him in the future! Best part is that this part has a lifetime warranty on it, so when it fails again (which I have a feeling they'll all fail eventually) it'll be a free replacement. I've already gone through two wheel bearings in 65,000 miles!