Thumping noise from front end continues

[tuckerdogavl]

I started hearing a thumping noise from the front of the 2002 Outback. I'd had CV boots replaced recently on the front end...and the axle. The mechanic told me the thumping was a wheel bearing on the left side. We replaced that. He said there is still a little noise because the right needs to be replaced. The thumping, in my opinion, is just as loud if not louder than it was. Should I bother to get the tires rotated and front end done, and see if the sound moves with the tire? It's definitely a concentric sound...speeds up and slows down with revolution. We talked about my doing this, then putting it up and checking everything again. I don't have $$$$$$ to just throw at this looking for what is the problem. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.....

[johnnybrown4792]

I'd jack it up on that side and grab the top and bottom of the tire and try to wiggle it, then do it side to side, see if theres any play. If so then definately replace the bearing. But bearings usually "growel" A CV joint usually pops a lot. A thump sounds like sway bar bushings or control arm bushings maybe. I'd check all those first. If your real brave get the whole front end on jack stands and have someone put it in drive and run it at about 30mph while you stand outside by the tire and listen for the noise.

[tuckerdogavl]

I'd jack it up on that side and grab the top and bottom of the tire and try to wiggle it, then do it side to side, see if theres any play. If so then definately replace the bearing. But bearings usually "growel" A CV joint usually pops a lot. A thump sounds like sway bar bushings or control arm bushings maybe. I'd check all those first. If your real brave get the whole front end on jack stands and have someone put it in drive and run it at about 30mph while you stand outside by the tire and listen for the noise.

Thanks for all the tips. Is it dangerous to be driving the car if its sway bar or control bar bushings? And are we talking $$$$? And sway bar is more of a clunk isn't it? This is a sound that almost sounds like a big flat head nail in a tire...or a flat spot on a tire... sort of like you had something caught on something.....dull sound. Sort of like when you're on a road that has tar lines on it thump thump thump thump.....

I'll print out and take to my mechanic. yesterday - since I have lifetime tire rotation and balancing on the current set of tires - I had that done. We did find a little bit of unbalance, but not enough to cause the thump. The ride is a little smoother now though; It does appear the thumping is slightly reduced over 65 now....but up to about 45 it's still fairly noticeable...and 45-65 too...it does seem slightly different now though. While at Tire Kingdom, I had a nice conversation with the guy at the counter...and he used to do lots of work with Subarus and told me wheel bearings are a big thing with Subarus...said that if you are over 100k and haven't replaced the wheel bearings, it's almost a miracle. I'm at 128K now...are these on all four wheels or just the front?