Loud Humming above 40mph

[Bakeage]

Got a 02 LS. I get a loud humming sound when I drive above 40mph. I thought that it was the wheel bearings so I replaced both the front but no luck. I'm thinking it might be the rear, but I'm not sure exactly what to replace, there isn't a bearing hub assembly for the rear. Any thoughts. Its got 115K on it now. Thanks

 

[camthman]

You check your wheels to see if all the weights are still on there?

 

[Bakeage]

Just check, yep. I just purchased the car so I'm figuring out all its problems. I just put on 4 new tires, had them all balanced and had all four aligned about a week ago. The noise was there before I replaced the tires still.

 

[camthman]

any noticeable vibrations? Or just the sound...

 

[97stscaddy]

Does it get progressively louder with speed or does it fade away around 60?

 

[lseguy]

Wasnt there some sort of driveshaft balance issue with early LS's that caused some sort of noise?

 

[King03LS8]

Does it get progressively louder with speed or does it fade away around 60?

You know what, my LS makes that same sound right at 50MPH and fades away at speeds above that. It comes from the rear of the car and I can't figure out what it is. What the hell is it?

 

[ToddG]

I'd bet money that its the rear wheel bearings.

My 2003 LS had the same sound at 40-50 MPH. Turned out to be the left rear wheel bearing. I can't remember precisely, but I believe you have to buy a whole knuckle assembly or something for the rear. Anyway, they replaced it (under warranty) and the noise was gone. You may want to take the service technician (NOT the adviser, the techician) on a ride so he can hear what you hear.

FYI, all LS models, regardless of year, use the same wheel bearings. A good technician at the dealer told me this, as well as his amazement that Ford knows this is a problem, but has not fixed it. Wheel bearing failure in the LS is a known issue.

 

[King03LS8]

I'd bet money that its the rear wheel bearings.

My 2003 LS had the same sound at 40-50 MPH. Turned out to be the left rear wheel bearing. I can't remember precisely, but I believe you have to buy a whole knuckle assembly or something for the rear. Anyway, they replaced it (under warranty) and the noise was gone. You may want to take the service technician (NOT the adviser, the techician) on a ride so he can hear what you hear.

FYI, all LS models, regardless of year, use the same wheel bearings. A good technician at the dealer told me this, as well as his amazement that Ford knows this is a problem, but has not fixed it. Wheel bearing failure in the LS is a known issue.

Thanks for the info. I called Lincoln and it goes in Monday for service. Thankfully my car is still under warranty.

 

[97stscaddy]

Mine makes a low humming sound between about 40 and 60 mph, but only when the converter clutch is locked. Pop it into 3rd which disables the converter clutch and it goes away. It also goes away above about 2000rpm. Ive just attributed it to the engine lugging slightly, and I've heard a similar sound in several other cars with fewer miles, some even brand new.