"whirring" from front end?

[jbrady33]

First, the car:
2002 Grand Am, 2.2 Ecotech, automatic tranny, 4 door.

Problem:
"Whirring" noise from (I think) the front end, especialy at low speed. Like someone spinning a ratchet in the next room. Not real loud (the radio covers it) and the sound increases/decreases speed with car speed, not engine RPM.

Anyone else get this? Any ideas, CV Joint maybe?


Thanks,
JB

[Ishan]

I have the same thing right now, i'm thinking wheel well bearing..

(same year to)

[jbrady33]

I had that same thought, it sounds a lot like the groaning/rumbling a bad wheel bearing would make in my old buick rwd, but with a more regular rhythm to it.

[j33p]

same here, it sounds like the engine is reving at about 55mph.

2002 SE

Is thre anyway for me to know other then jsut changing them? Are they expensive?

Thanks

[jbrady33]

Looked it up on an on-line retailer, wheel bearing comes pressed into the hub assemble, about $130 each. If it is the halfshaft/CV joint they appear to be $100 (remanufactured). haven't done anything about mine yet.