Taurus SHO light howl 40 mph

[polskifacet]

Hey guys,
Recently got some exhaust work done which may or not be related to my issue. Now I notice a slight howl around 40 mph when maintaining that speed. Any one else have this same howl?

[Quinid]

That wouldn't happen to be the dreaded drone noise i keep hearing about would it?

[polskifacet]

its not exhaust drone, it sounds either gear related or wind related. its not dependent on rpm. doesn't change if I turn left or right. has to be on a smooth road to hear it otherwise road noise is louder. it comes in and out, always the same pitch and more or less the same volume.

[CroR1]

possible tire noise?

[polskifacet]

possible tire noise?

yes possible, will try and rotate tires

[pmezo33]

How many miles?  Does the noise go away if you slip the car into neutral while rolling?  What about applying brakes or going around turns at high speed?  Front of the car or the rear?  Any idea which side it's coming from?

Just going to make a guess before you answer those questions, but I'm going to go with a bad wheel bearing.

[SHOdded]

Check that the gaskets are sealing properly, and that if any new welds have been made, that they are holding up.

[ZSHO]

Agree with MANU, it sounds like you have an air leak in the exhaust,start it up in the am when its cold and let it warm up for 10 min,then just move the car so you can check the amount of h20 on the floor,mine only leaks by the mufflers.  Z

[polskifacet]

Rotated the tires, no changes. I do however notice if i Rev in park to 1500 the resonator vibrates quite a bit. Changing gears doesn't change anything, i would assume that changes exhaust flow. if i pop it in neutral, it doesn't affect the sound. The trans was pulled and resealed 10k ago all new seals. All fluids inc ptu changed regularly. Ill check for exhaust leaks and try and stuff a rag in one muffler and see if that changes anything. 50k miles. I should add that going over bumps it stops it briefly and accelerating more than maintaining 40 mph it also goes away.

[polskifacet]

Setting cruise to 42 mph its pretty much constant on a smooth flat road. I also drove about 45 and turned off the motor and had it in neutral, still there. Has to be drivetrain related.

[ZSHO]

Have you ever had the half-shaft recall checked/inspected at all? any visible signs of any leaks coming from the front right.  Z

[pmezo33]

Setting cruise to 42 mph its pretty much constant on a smooth flat road. I also drove about 45 and turned off the motor and had it in neutral, still there. Has to be drivetrain related.

Sounds just like a wheel bearing going out.  How many miles and have they ever been replaced?  Mine had very similar symptoms at about 70k miles and it was the bearing.  Very low pitched hum that started around 40-45 mph.  Jacked the car up and tested the wheels and there wasn't any play, but it was still a bad bearing.  Replaced it and the hum was gone.

[CroR1]

My vote is on a bearing, whether a wheel hub, or any bearings related to the drivetrain, rear or front differentials.

Best way to find where it's coming from is to lift the car up on the lift and put in D and get it to 40 mph and see where it's coming from. If it is bad it will recreate the noise.

[polskifacet]

Have you ever had the half-shaft recall checked/inspected at all? any visible signs of any leaks coming from the front right.  Z

Yes was inspected.

[polskifacet]

I'm going on a 3500 mile road trip Friday. This should be a good stress test. Will report back with any changes.