I was driving in my admin’s car on the way to lunch when I heard this strange sound emanating from the center of the car. It sounds like a whup-whup-whup-whup from a helicopter, but slower and heavier base. She says it sounds like it’s coming from driver’s front tire. It only makes that sound at low speeds like less than 15 mph. The car doesn’t pull at any speed. She thinks it’s the hub cap, which I highly doubt. The car is a 1998 toyota camry with 106k miles. It has been in a rear end collision which should have totaled the car but “repaired” by some questionable mechanic. Any idea of what it could be?
The fact that it is only at low speed is puzzling. A bulge in a tire could make that sound. Inspect ALL the tires with more concentration on the front. Look for something akin to half a tennis ball on the sidewall of the tire. Remember, it could just as well be on the inner side. Then watch the tires from outside as someone drives it slowly. You could stand in front down the street or let the driver back away from you. A squirrely tire often show up better when moving. A steel belt could be broken. Still another way to hunt for it would be to back through a puddle so the pattern of the front wheels could be observed for abnormalities.
Noises don’t bother me too much if I know what is causing the noise. I would not consider this vehicle safe until I knew the source and implications. It could be more serious than a tire, which is serious enough.
Does the sound change pitch or frequency when you change speeds, or does it just go away suddenly over 15mph?
Uhg, it could be a bearing. If you’ve blown a bearing it won’t make too much noise when going fast but will certainly wump, wump, wump, in a low gear or speed.
Take it to a place for a free inspection. If it is a bearing…it’s not exactly cheap.
Yeah, the noise goes away when she goes over 15 mph. I like the bearing idea. The pitch doesn’t change as speeds change. What are the other symptoms and long term complications of a bad bearing?
A two hundred dollar or so repair at a shop. It is something that could leave you stranded somewhere if you don’t get it fixed.
Bad bearings in my experience do not do that kind of noise.
How about someone following you with a big high powered sound system 
It sounds unreasonable to not have the noise increase/decrease with speed.
A wheel bearing can be more noticeable at lower speeds and braking can also be affected by a wheel bearing that is failing.
Is there any feel or change in the symptoms when braking?
Could be a bad CV joint.