Wheel Bearing

[thevol]

I would take it to an authorized Suzuki service dealership and just tell them you think a hub bearing is failing and they *should* put it on a rack and bring it up to the speed where you hear the noise... they can then listen with a stethoscope for the noise at all the hubs and find the problem. if it is a tire it will obviously not make the noise when it is suspended on the rack. this should be covered under warrany as mine was, but if it turns out to be a tire they may charge a small diagnostic fee. probably is a bearing as it looks like these things eat em up. when i got mine fixed the difference was amazing.

[Maddog]

I am experiencing the exact same humming/roaring sound in my 08 Luxury. I have 42,700 miles so far. I've actually had the noise for a while now but I took it in to have it checked out. Sure enough, the driver's side front bearing is going out. The dealership is telling me that the rim is bent and that is what caused the failure. I baby this vehicle. I've never hit a curb or pothole with any significance, so I'm not sure how this could of had happened. Anyway, they are still fixing the bearing under warranty. They are also replacing the engine hydraulic damper that a TSB has been issued for (under warranty). Both of these parts have been ordered and will be in next week. I will keep everyone updated as to how this goes.

On another note, I just replaced my tires. It was Suzuki's idea that my tires were going bad and the sound could possibly be because of them. I needed new tires anyway as I still had the originals. It did not fix the problem and is why they finally put the vehicle on a lift and found the bad bearing. I really just wanted everyone to know that I stepped up on my tire size to 235/65/17 versus the factory 235/60/17. It works perfectly and looks much better. I really like the raised white lettering look and larger side walls. Good luck finding a 235/60/17 with raised white lettering. Only issue is the speedo reads 3 mph slower than my actual speed. The suzuki tech says the ECU cannot be reprogrammed with the larger tire size. I smell bull on that one but don't really care because essentially it means my warranty will last longer (in miles) LOL!

[Maddog]

Just wanted to update everyone. I had the bearing replaced as well as the engine damper mount and all is good. It rides just like I remember it when I originally bought. I'm very pleased with the repair. And by the way, I had the wheel fixed at a place called Wheel Technologies. Fixed for $125.00. Really cheap compared to a new factory wheel at $595.00 or even a "pull off" at $350.00.

[CR CRUISER]

I'm not sure if it is relevant but years ago we were seeing many wheel bearing issues showing up on the east coast and almost none in the west. It turned out that the wheel bearings were being damaged while transporting the new vehicles across the country by train.

When loaded, they were cranking down the hold downs to the suspension stops. The load on the bearings held in the same spot for that many miles was forming small indentations in the bearing races. The bearings were already staring to fail from the time the new vehicle was driven off of the dealer's lot.