Tire whine

[topanga]

Got new tires this weekend, now there's a whine from the front driver tire... it starts at 30mph or so, continues to higher speeds, worst when the car is going straight, stops immediately if I touch the brake or turn the wheel slightly. This is...?

[NJ300sdl]

Wheel bearing may be the problem.

[Yak]

Maybe a bearing. Maybe a bad tire.

Easiest way to check may to be swap sides for the tire. If the whine follows, look at the tire; if it stays, probably something with the hub/bearing.

Going away with the touch of the brake sounds a bit odd though. Maybe jack up the car and untorque/re-torque the lug nuts. Of course, you'd also do that by swapping sides.

[topanga]

On the way home this evening, the sound was absent. My brake pad light flickered, though. Could this be a worn brake pad?

[ashedd]

I have the exact same problem with my TD. It has had 3 different tires up front... still there. 2 alignments.... still there. I suspect the wheel bearing.

[ashedd]

Oh and my brakes are absolutely positively shot on my TD. If it's still there after new brakes then I guess I am replacing bearings.

[Manual Life]

have you been beating it?

or post a video or sound clip?

[vstech]

sounds like typical break noise from really worn pads. change, clean, grease, and flush new fluid through the lines, and you should be good to go.