front wheel grinding noise

[mayagman]

I have a 97 280 sport which recently started making a strange noise from the front left wheel. It is a noise that really only is audible at highway speeds. It sounds almost like engine rev noise without the gear change, and raises in pitch with speed. I think its the bearings, or half-shaft?

[Andrew C280]

do you have a picture of your carbon fiber grill i would like to see what it looks like and where i can get one.

[audiophile]

i have the same noise but at lower speeds (45-60mph). i just did the breaks on mine, but will open it up again and use thicker grease for the bearings.

[SLAMMED_C]

Usually a wheel bearing noise will be heard more so on turns, while making lower speed left or right turns depending on what wheel bearing is shot. if the wheel bearing is really gone.. and I mean really gone.. you will hear it all the time.. but you would have had to ignored the noises before!!
and you wont hear a half shaft noise on the left front.. your car is rear wheel drive, no half shafts up front on your C.
If it changes with engine speeds and matches engine speeds with the noise.. I'd look at the engine first.. pulley bearing gone, water pump??..something like that.. then check for play in front end, ball joints, wheel bearings, inner and outer tie rods (drag link assembly)

[mayagman]

Im fairly confident its the bearing, as now its getting worse and happening at all speeds from 15mph+. Anyone know where I can get the OEM replacement at a decent price?

[SLAMMED_C]

another thing I thought of is brakes.. maybe brake pad backing plate on disc??.. or brake disc dust sheild on brake disc?? just another thought.

[mayagman]

I took apart the whole assembly, down to the spline and started turning it by hand... the resistance makes me sure its the bearing.. By the looks of it I'll need some special tool to do the job. Is there any DIY method?