All,

Need your help in diagnosing a problem. I have a 2006 HHR with 135,000 miles on it. I have a humming noise when the car is in motion. Sounds like its coming from the front of the car. Faster I go, louder it gets. I'm pretty certain the humming noise is driveline related because reving the engine does not increase (or decrease) the humming noise. I checked CV boots and all 4 look good. I also checked the both drive shafts. Both are little loose where they attach to transmission, but not much. I assume there is supposed to be a little play there. Any ideas on what part(s) I need to replace?

Thank you

 

I would say to check your wheel bearing hubs.

 

It sounds like a front wheel bearing. That's exactly what mine sounded like.

When I jacked up the wheel and checked for play, there was no play. Spinning the tire by hand did not reveal the problem. It was only when I removed the wheel and spun the disc slowly by hand that I felt a grinding that I did not feel on the other side.

Steve

 

This is a known issue. I just replaced my driver side hub for the second time at 190,000km, and expect the other one to start humming in the next few months, they last about 100k. I found a pair of new hubs made in USA on eBay for $100 and its a simple DIY job:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/how-front-hub-replacement-38946/

 

It is a common noise for a failing wheel bearing when you are driving steer left and then to the right listen to here if the humming noise gets louder or softer when turning. Most of the time a wheel bearing that is making noise the sound will change on turns.