My 98 VDP developed a humming sound and low grade harmonic vibration while driving. The best description that I can give is like I have all-terrain 4 wheel drive tires on. It is especially noticable when I am crusing at 30 to 40 mph. The noise ceases at a dead stop.
I checked the tires to see if there is a bubble or defect, but did not see any. The car otherwise seems to drive fine.

Any suggestions on the cause and solution.

Thanks

 

Sounds like your front wheel bearing(s) failed. 1998 XJ sedans used a 76mm front bearing and later cars used an 80mm bearing and seem to last longer. You need special tools to replace the bearings (please don't use a chisle on the reluctor/retaining hub nut).
It could also be a rear bearing failing so I would lift the car and check all 4 wheel bearings for noise and play.

bob gauff

 

It doesn't know the words?

Sorry.

 

Humming so far, no whislting yet. I had the front bearings changed about 8 months ago. I will check the rear hubs for play.

 

Had the car up doing the upper and lower ball joints, plus tie end rods. Checked the rear wheels for play to see if the humming was the bearings. All four hubs were solid. The sound still there around turns. The tires have no bubbles, however the front tires are worn on the inner edges from the shot ball joints. I'm going to get new front tires and alignment tomorrow. Maybe the front tires are separating from the belts from the abnormal wear even though no bubbling.

 

Still having the humming.... I replaced the front tires today since I did the ball joints last weekend. I will check the wheel bearings to make sure.

Open to suggestions. Thanks

 

Long shot, but I have a set of Pirelli P6 tires on my car and after about 20,000 miles, they started to make so much noise, I felt like I was in a dump truck or a snow plow or something. I did some research and found out that "ultra-high-performance" touring tires tend to make a lot of road noise. Just a thought.

 

I had a similar noise on my ROVER 75 but at a higher speed, (70-ish). It dated to when I changed the two front tyres to Chinese Wanlis. Have you changed tyres recently ? Try swapping front to back to see if the noise moves with the wheels. Failing that, wheel bearing have to be next up for a look.

 

the humming noise is coming from the front end of the car. i dont believe it is caused by the tires. the noise is still persistent even when i got new tires the other day. i will rotate the tires from front to back to see if the noise shifts.

i took it into the dealer. it cost me 350 for them tell me that it could either be the alignment or bearings. also, they said my throttle body is shot. they quoted me about 1200 for the alignment and bearing job and 2500 for the throttle job. of course, i said no thanks and took the car back. they did a good job in washing the car for 350. thank goodness they didn't say it was the tranny, that was the reason i brought it in to make sure.

guess i will start ordering the parts for the bearings after i rotate the tires tomorrow.

i will keep you posted