Strange noise coming from passenger wheel; don't think it's a bearing...

[LegacySHO]

FINAL UPDATE: Okay, the CV boot was replaced, and initially the sound went away (which was my post at the end of this thread) but I heard it again after that. Seems to be gone again now; whatever it is, I don't think it's serious, and I've learned to ignore it. :blackeye:

UPDATE 2: Okay, the CV boot is damaged on that wheel, so I'm going to have that replaced and see if that was the cause of the noise. I didn't switch the wheels yet.

UPDATE: Okay, I got some videos of the sound. I drove past the camera slowly and it actually sounds like a creak. So now I'm really worried...could it be a cracked rim? (Please say no please say no) The rims are really lightweight with thin spokes and I've hit some decent-sized potholes...anyone had experience with what a cracked rim sounds like?

Video 1 (14MB, three slow passes)
Video 2 (2MB, one faster pass)

You may notice from the videos that the sound doesn't seem to happen in reverse...

I'm going to try a simple test tomorrow...swap the left and right wheels and see if the sound follows.

For reference, here's a pic of the wheels when they were on Pudmunkie's car:

Original post:
I've got a fairly loud sort of "brushing" noise that's coming from the front passenger side wheel once per rotation. Sounds something like "shht-shht-shht" when you're going at speed. Here's what else I can tell you about the sound:

-Doesn't sound like any wheel bearing noise I've ever heard, and it's inaudible with the windows closed. You can hear it pretty loud when driving with the passenger window open past a wall on the right side as the sound reflects off of it.
-Sound doesn't change when turning left or right.
-Sound seems to get a lot quieter during acceleration.
-Just had the rotor replaced with a brand new rotor; sound is still there and is exactly the same.
-Based on this, I'm going to guess that it has nothing to do with the brake system, as the rotor is pretty good quality and since the sound happens once per rotation, it would have to be due to an asymmetrical rotor, which I don't think is the case.

Ideas, anyone?

 

[Ray]

check your wheel well splash guard for indications of wear. If your screws on the guard come loose, if can be forced against the wheel at speed, making a distinctive "shht-shht-shtt" noise, as you described.

 

[Canadian 98 CSVT]

Pull the Wheel, check for any wear spots on the inside of it, like maybe a tie rod is touching it... Then the concern is a bent rim. Also check the rotor for a wear spot too. Although new and high quality, it might not be sitting "just right" and is touching the caliper or brake hardware every rotation. You can check those before pulling the wheel off, jack it up, and spin the wheel by hand. Bearing tend to "growl" when worn out, this is definitely rotation, rotor or wheel.

My Probe does it on the back wheel, guaranteed its the rotor rubbing the brake hardware...

 

[andreslobo]

Or it could be your caliper hitting the wheel

Or it could be your caliper hitting the wheel

On a beater I bought, I heard the same sound. the previous owner had not installed the outside spring properly and the the caliper was free to tilt out and hit the wheel. A new set of pads and proper installation of the spring clip did the trick. I assume of course you have the 14 stock wheels

 

[LegacySHO]

Bump for video update.

Pull the Wheel, check for any wear spots on the inside of it, like maybe a tie rod is touching it... Then the concern is a bent rim. Also check the rotor for a wear spot too. Although new and high quality, it might not be sitting "just right" and is touching the caliper or brake hardware every rotation. You can check those before pulling the wheel off, jack it up, and spin the wheel by hand. Bearing tend to "growl" when worn out, this is definitely rotation, rotor or wheel.

My Probe does it on the back wheel, guaranteed its the rotor rubbing the brake hardware...

I think with the sound slowed down it doesn't sound like a friction-based noise, but more like a stress-based noise...

 

[Matt R]

I've got the same problem, driver's side. I thought it was the brake pads rubbing on the rotor, but even when I replaced the rotors and pads, it still did it. I still haven't found the cause.

 

[zorrex]

I think with the sound slowed down it doesn't sound like a friction-based noise, but more like a stress-based noise...

x2

Definitely a stress noise. It's a creaking, and this would lead me to believe there is something wrong with your wheel. Now, this is just common sense reasoning, not a professional deduction, just keep that in mind, haha.

 

[Redlineracer12]

Bump for video update.




I think with the sound slowed down it doesn't sound like a friction-based noise, but more like a stress-based noise...

Did you switch the wheels like you planned? That would be in my opinion the easiest way to eliminate the wheel/tire combo as a potential suspect.

I'd swap that one to like the back opposite side just to be clear.

 

[LegacySHO]

That noise turned out to be the CV boot. Oh well. Either that or something else was making that noise that got knocked into place when the CV boot was replaced. Either way, the noise is gone now.