qqq1970

I recently skid on snow and right front wheel hit the curb. There is no visible damage and the wheel is slightly off center to the left. Next day I start to hear low droning noise when car is running between 40-50 mph and the noise faded away at higher speed (likely drowned out by engine or road noise). Sounds like some components are rubbing against each other. Any advice on what caused the noise? Thanks a lot.

newmoon

Droning is a classic sign that a wheel bearing is damaged which is very likely when you crash into a curb. You can jack the wheel up and see if there is any play from side to side, and rotate the wheel to listen for grinding noises from the bearings. Transmission has to be in neutral, and chock the other wheels.

tenspeed

Get it aligned and have them check everything including the hub bearing. If your steering wheel has turned, you bent a tie rod and/or control arm.

CHIO

second this!

raysirx

if the drone goes away on turns, it is most likley the bearing.

i.e. when you put a load on in it silences it temporarily.

and since your steeting wheel is now off center something bent as well.
tie rod or control arms or both

qqq1970

Thanks for the advice. The steering wheel is only 1 to 2 degrees off center. I'll try and see if the droning noise fades away if I turn the wheel. Given it is the right front wheel that hit the curb shall I turn left or right for testing?

engleg

I don't want to start a new thread, but this sounds a lot like a new noise that I hear coming from my car. 85000 miles on the odometer. Sounds like it's coming from passenger front. Noise is defiantly vehicle speed related. I'll do some troubleshooting when the weather is better. Doesn't look like it is too difficult of a part to replace.

raysirx

if you turn left and the drone stops than it may be the right side bearing