Help with noise coming from right front

[T4R_Finally]

My daughter was driving the 3rd gen home from college yesterday. She said she heard a distinct noise coming from the right front several times - sort if a short moan/groan. She described it by saying the first time she heard it, she thought someone was honking at her. It wasn't when turning, braking, or hitting a bump in the road, it was just while driving. Any suggestions as to where to start looking?

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Any suggestions as to where to start looking?

Yes.

the right front

Maybe a Bearing? Have you not given it a test drive yourself to hear it?

 

[T4R_Finally]

Maybe a Bearing? Have you not given it a test drive yourself to hear it?

Not yet but not wonder if it's going to be one of those things that's hard to replicate. Her trip was 5+ hours and she heard it 2 or 3 times.

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

....and that is why it sucks to try and diagnose a phantom noise.

The last groaning sound like that I had was on my old Durango. Turned out to be the wheel bearing.

 

[LittleCaesar]

If it is a bearing, you would hear it from start up and less as it warmed up. Nonetheless jack up the right front tire and see if it is the bearing.

If the CV axles are original, I'd start there. How about LBJs?

Nothing beats getting under there for a visual inspection.

 

[d0nkeyxpunch]

Go drive it yourself then report back.

 

[Run 4 Fun]

My daughter was driving the 3rd gen home from college yesterday. She said she heard a distinct noise coming from the right front several times - sort if a short moan/groan. She described it by saying the first time she heard it, she thought someone was honking at her. It wasn't when turning, braking, or hitting a bump in the road, it was just while driving. Any suggestions as to where to start looking?

Is she going a certain speed when it happens, like on the freeway? I have a strange buzzing sound like a horn noise going off somewhere on the right front for a few short seconds and only happened a couple times when I'm on the freeway and a cross wind hitting the runner. Almost like the air is hitting something and causing a buzz sound. Similar to when you get a leaf and blow on it a certain way like a duck call. Haven't looked into much since it's only happened a couple times. Curious if its the same thing.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Is she going a certain speed when it happens, like on the freeway? I have a strange buzzing sound like a horn noise going off somewhere on the right front for a few short seconds and only happened a couple times when I'm on the freeway and a cross wind hitting the runner. Almost like the air is hitting something and causing a buzz sound. Similar to when you get a leaf and blow on it a certain way like a duck call. Haven't looked into much since it's only happened a couple times. Curious if its the same thing.

Well hard to say - she was driving interstate speed but that doesn't mean it only happens at that speed. It has been windy for the past week and I know what you are referring to - it's almost like the wind catches a wiper blade arm or the antenna and makes a noise. I know it wasn't the antenna because she never uses it and it stays down - always playing iphone through stereo.

All I can do is go drive it and see if I can replicate it and/or take it to the shop and get everything looked at. I always have them check everything when I take it in for anything like tire rotation or oil change because I know how the front brakes on these things can be and it gets driven up and down several mountains going back and forth to college.