I am getting a weird noise around 60 mph. It might start around 58 and start to get quieter around 62. Its not a low pitched noise or growling/grinding type noise. It is more a higher pitched moaning noise. While going down a long hill I can put the car in neutral and the noise does not go away. This is telling me that it is most likely not in the transmission. It is coming from the left side of the car. Can not tell if it is front or back. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

Try shifting the cars weight by making some sharps turns left and right at the higher speeds. Determine if the noise gets louder, if so this may be a wheel bearing.

You can remove the tire and check the hub for excess runout and end play. Or perhaps feel a rough bearing simple by rotating the wheel off the ground. You will need to retract the brake pads and shoes to get the wheel to turn freely.

 

I already tried steering side to side. That was the first thing I did (I am an ase certified ex-mechanic) and no change in noise. Tonight when I got home I checked the temp of both front axle nuts. The left one was about 12-14 degrees hotter than the right. I think I am leaning towards the wheel bearing even though not all of the symptoms are present. Like I said it comes on about 58 and start to quiet about 62. I've never dealt with this before. Very strange. Thanks for you advice.

 

Try swapping tires in case it is tire/wheel problem.

Also might be brakes dragging, perhaps a CV joint is vibrating.

 

Yesterday I got home and put the front of the car on jack stands. I checked both front wheels for a loose wheel bearing. Found nothing wrong. I started the car and had someone run it up to 60 mph. It gets a terrible vibration as it reaches 60. I also listened for the noise. No noise at all. I then used my stethascope to listen for a noise on the front spindles. I heard nothing strange. This thing has gotten me very puzzled. I am thinking that since the car was off the ground I was not getting a noise because the bearing was not under a load. Then again this vibration has me wondering. Thanks again.