Car trouble ... any whizzes out there?

Can't take my car into the shop today because of the holiday, but was wondering if anyone knew enough about cars to give me some help.

My driver's side back tire (area) has been making a high-pitched, whistling noise lately. Mostly if I'm driving at higher speeds. It usually starts out low and gets brain numbingly loud after about 15 minutes. It makes the noise when I drive straight, but goes away if I take a turn. After about 30 minutes or so, it usually switches. After maybe 40 minutes, it's gone. Also, when I use my brakes, it gets louder and then goes away as I slow down more/once the brakes are pressed.

Any idea? I don't mean for this to be some kind of riddle, but I'm stumped.

 

Wheel bearing.

About $100 to fix, max.

I just had mine done.

You can still drive until it's fixed.

 

Sounds right. I would stay off the interstates though.

 

Paging Kathy Grindle.

 

Thanks a lot for the help! Hopefully the place I take it to won't screw me over. I'm in a new town now and I've been trying to find a decent car shop.

 

Weird. Sounds like my situation exactly. I just went to the shop up the road from apartment (that way, I could walk home if it was going to be a while). Nice enough guy, did it the next day while I went to the coffee shop and read the out-of-town paper.

Most mechanics are all the same.

 

Check your breaks. If that's not it, check your tires. something isn't right.

 

That about clears it up.

 

My thoughts exactly.

Could be something as simple as having some gravel inside your brake shoes. Had that once. Or it could be your berrings. Doesn't sound major.

 

It's your wheel bearing. Is the noise cyclical at all? My front wheel bearings were both out and the noise was awful. I felt like I had a brand new car when I got it fixed. They did say that the back ones would go out if the front had.

It should be $100-200 apiece if more than one is out. Be prepared to be told your tires are bald, too. If your bearing is out, it puts a hell of a wear on your tires.

 

Sounds like a bearing. Could need only a grease repack, or it could need total replacement.

Get it done, not only for your sanity but also because your tires could be cupping every time you use your vehicle (bad bearings can't control camber angles and alignments). And that's a more expensive problem.

 

yeah, now that spup brought it up, it sounds very familar...
Bearing...