OK, ever since I hit the curb a week ago I've had a rythmic noise at 45+ and it feels like the car does not coast as smooth. I changed rotors, pads, and rotated the wheels, fixed a bad tie-rod (on the passanger side, noise coming from driver side front), and had the wheels balanced and a front end alignment. At 70+ I can still hear the rythmic noise and my MPG have gone down to about 24 from 30. Any ideas here? I'm thinking maybe the wheel hub or bearing? Any ideas on what to check?

Wheel bearing tend to howl or hum. Belt in the tire maybe? Try swapping that tire to the rear.

Cheers,

Tried that, and it IS more of a rythmic drone then a rubbing. It does not get quicker paced as I get faster proportionately. It gets faster as I go faster but 70 is not twice as fast as 35 if you understand what im saying. It is almost like an exhaust drone at that point but it pulses.

I've never actually heard a dead wheel bearing. The best descriptions I have heard say it'* either a growl, a hum, a groan or the like.

If it was something like a broken belt in the tire, sorry I missed the part about rotating the tires, then that would increase in frequency in direct proportion to speed. In your case you're saying it increases but not proportionally.

You've looked for signs of rubbing on the tire and ruled that out?

Could it be one of the plastic engine access covers in the wheel well has lost a fastener and falls against the tire?

CV boot clips are in good shape? Not broken and rubbing against the knuckle?

Just a few thoughts...

Cheers,

i've changed everything I can think of (other than the hub) on the driver side wheel and i still get it. It didnt start happening until I hit the curb hard enough to bend the rim. What is the easist way to check for a bad wheel bearing?

It'* the rockers, have them drilled for fitting a 93, and i bet it'll help ya...

Hub/bearing may be outta whack i think. Is it an exponential increase? Or does the increase ramp down the faster you go.

Seems to loudest/fastest at about 45 to 50, gets more rythmically intune if you will at 70 to where its not as noticeable and in fact you probably wouldnt give it a second thought except for its a sound that i know was not there ever in my car until i hit that curb.

To test the bearing go for a long drive at a speed that makes the most noise (50?). Pull over and with the e brake set reach underneeth and feel the bearing housing compare with the other side. It should be cool this time of year, if its hot the bearing is bad.
I had both my bearings changed out, 1st one at 50k, 2nd one at 75k. And I never hit anything.