Hey guys! Just picked up my 04 XJR with 56k on the clock. When I test drove the car I noticed there was a low worbble hum that sounded like it was coming from the front left wheel. I told the salesman I thought it was a wheel bearing and wanted it checked out before I picked it up. He said it was harmonics from the tire and the suspension on the R but would get it checked out. So! Yesterday I picked it up - he checked it out with the service manager and they couldn't find anything wrong. I drove home yesterday and it's still there but I also noticed that if I let go of the steering wheel you can see it shim very slightly from left to right. Any ideas..? Is it a bearing?, bad tire? Really put a bit of a dampener on a very exciting day

 

Take a look at the tread on that tire. That would be my first choice. Any uneven wear? Feathering of the tread blocks?

 

Thanks! I checked the tire out and it seems to be wearing just fine. Even across, no cupping, maybe 50% left on tread.

 

Could be a bent wheel. These cars are prone to that what with the big tires and all. I,m assuming you don't feel the shimmie in the steering wheel on braking.

Move the offending wheel to the rear and see what happens. Thats where you got to start.

 

I'd suggest a temporary swap - front left to right and see if it follows - should tell you immediately whether it's wheel/tire or rotor/bearings.

 

Thanks all - I'm going to play around a bit more.. There's a new twist, last night I hit the brakes real hard and got quite a substantial wobble on the front end and through the steering wheel. I'm thinking warped rotor at this point.

 

So after a day she's back in the shop.. They're going to look at it along with a few other things.. While it's in they have given me an 09 XF to drive.. and I must say.. I quite like it. Not bad at all.. not sure on the styling but it runs good and is nice to drive. If I had one though, it would have to still be an R