My '04 3 (nearly 90,000,i) has been geeting reeeaallly loud upfront. At first I thiought maybe tire noise. I have Blizzaks on now (three seasons). Air pressure might be a little low, treads are OK...

The sound doesn't seem to shift when I turn the wheel left and right....

I did run over a deer this summer, and I had my right front Conti-pro contact go bonkers on me...wicked whell vibration that went away when I put the snows on...

...of and prior to all this I had 4 hours of track time at Watkis Glen...I'm thinking wheel bearings....

Any theories?

 

here's the usual signs of a bad wheel bearing : Bad grinding noise; Squeaking noise; rumbling noise; slop or play in wheel hub, evident when wheel is removed; uneven feel while rotating a wheel while off ground. Better check all your truck parts to see what might be the real cause. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Well, My suspicions were correct...Stealer replaced two front bearings for $675.00. I just got a big expense check and was too lazy to get a second quote...Car sound much better...I don't have to place the music nearly so loud...