Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting hum/whinning noise over 20 mph

I have a 97 contour (4 cyl/5 speed) that starts to make a humming or whinning sound over 20 mph. It gets worse the quicker you go to a point and then blends in with other enviromental noises around 60 mph.

Yesterday I noticed it stopped when making a right turn and returns when you straighten out.

Where to start, has anyone else had this problem.

Thanks

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. Jack up the front and see if you have excessive play in either wheel.

does the pitch get higher when you go faster? If it does, I have the same problem.

Thanks a million, it might just be the bearing.

It was the wheel bearing on the passenger side. Had a dealer do it, cost about 225.

Glad you got it fixed..

How much was the wheel bearing also? I gotta get mine fixed also. How did you know it that was the problem? I thought it was my tranny, but I guess not.

225 included everything, labor was 154, parts was the difference.

I think it dawned on me that it might be the bearing when the noise went away when making a right turn. It was also suggest here on the board. Combination of the two told me it was probably a bearing and the noise seemed to be louder on the passenger side.