Hey all, I recently lent my 01 Cherokee to my dad for a couple weeks and when I got it back there seemed to be a strange sound coming from under the front driver's side.

It sounds like a hum that starts to creep up over the engine noise at about 30mph up. When reaching 40 - 50, it is very loud and I can feel vibrations from the steering wheel. When I decelerate the noise slowly fades out.

The sound: http://youtu.be/cp3F-ENU4UY

What I know:
- Noise sounds like it's coming from under the driver's side seat/dash but can't be sure.

- can feel vibrations through the steering wheel.

-noise is loudest at 40-45mph

It might have something to do with breaks because they felt a little spongier than normal when I got the car back as well

What I've tried:
-Removed the front drive shaft to rule out front u-joints but noise is still there.

Not sure if it is my back joints and I'm not too sure on how to check if they're bad.

Any help would be awesome thanks!!

 

I have this exact same problem! I hope someone on here has some idea what it is, I was thinking maybe the alignment?

 

wheel bearing? shouldnt be any movement when you check. jack up the front, hands 12 and 6 on the tire, push and pull.
check brake fluid level, it would prob be low if you had brake issues.

 

I had a bad front wheel bearing cause vibes at hwy speeds. Mine didn't have any play either.

 

I just fixed mine, it was the hub assembly on the front drivers side, it cost about 90 bucks and an little sweat to get the old one off, hope you figure it out

 

Often a bad wheel bearing will get quieter turning in one direction and louder in the other.
Agreed that it's probably new hub time.

 

Thanks for the help guys! I'll look into the bearing!

 

Alright so much development since the beginning. I took the rotor off on the driver's side to see a bunch of uneven wear making the rotor basically fried. Got new rotors and pads and spent the day doing that.

After this has been done the brakes are much better but I'm still getting this rumble noise (it's also worse when turning to the right) Now I really suspect a bad wheel bearing but I did the test with jacking up the wheel and pushing it around. I didn't get much play though which is not confirming my thoughts.

What else could be making this noise that I could check? And are there any other ways to check a bad bearing? Thanks everyone!

 

I have the same exact problem. As soon as i hit 40 i get a weird spinning metal on metal kind of sound and vibs thru the floor boards, pedals, and steering wheel. I ruled out front drive shaft and i did that wheel shake thing and they are solid. I should check my brakes as well like you did.

 

I wish that was the brakes were the problem but the noise continues. I'm gonna ho ahead on the hub assembly. I'll keep you updated.

 

Thank you. Its starting to drive me crazy. If i figure anything out as well, ill let you know

 

There was only a tiny amount of play in my wheel so if you have any at all I'd think it's the hub bearing, can anyone else confirm this?

 

just bought some hubs as well. hopefully this is both our problems

 

Just replaced my hubs...rides.smooooooooth now

 

Glad to here it! Err well to not hear it haha