Strange noise, not sure what it is

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Turning to the internet for help:

2013 Mazda 3i Sport
80k-ish miles

I’ve had a noise coming from my front passenger side tire area since I had my tire replaced in November. It’s gotten increasingly louder. I’ve taken it to the shop where I bought all my tires (all except the new one are a little over a year old) and I was told it’s nothing. That if it’s a wheel bearing I’ll just know when it goes. Which freaks me out.
Tonight I went to the gym and my tire (same tire location, after a rotation, so not the same tire), sounded like the thump thump thump of a flat. It’s not a flat.
Anyone have any insight? I don’t wanna die on my commute or have my wheel fall off even on the way to the shop to get it looked at.
Is it a wheel bearing? Steel belt? CV joint?

Also would like to add that
-there’s no clicking while turning.
-Lug nuts are not loose.
-sound is never present while stopped or idling.
-sound begins at 5mph, thuds up to 30mph, then gets faster, higher pitched but not as loud.

Thanks in advance.

2

Since the problem remains at the right front after tire rotation that rules out a tire problem. I would suggest taking your car to a different mechanic.
Check ‘mechanic files’ at the top of cartalk site. Ask around for recommendations, check yelp reviews. So could be a bearing, cV joint, or strut, possibly something else. Will require a qualified mechanic to do a hands on inspection/diagnosis.

3 Likes
3

Thank you.

4

to test if it is a bearing, you might try checking if noise changes as you get to left/right curves on a highway’ cloverleaf

I have one intersection around me where exit makes wide left curve, immediately followed by a right curve: going there on around 45 MPH makes bearings to load one side first, then immediately following next side, this is how I tested if similar noise I had was from tire or from bearings and luckily for me it was tire to be replaced, not bearings