I have a strange whir-whir-whir-whir noise that's coming from the driver's side front. I hit a massive pothole about 2 months ago and blew out the side wall on that tire (which was almost brand new).

I had the tire replaced, alignment done, and a suspension check (.. at pepboys). They told me everything was okay with what they checked, and that the noise was coming from the transmission. I'm skeptical about that, but I don't really have a leg to stand on.

The car is still running steady and without problem. Below is a 14 second clip of what it sounds like; it's a little hard to make out but it's a distinct cyclical whir-whir-whir sound.

In the first 8 seconds you can't really hear it, but after that I moved the phone closer to where the noise was coming from:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xk9026qt20pm18u/car_noise.m4a

I know that's really vague, but any idea what it could be? Should I go to a transmission tech immediately?

EDIT: The sound really only develops over 40mph; doesn't matter if it's in any gear in drive. I haven't noticed it while it's idle.

 

Try to figure out what the cycle coincides with. Is it speed dependent, does the cycle change with the gear change? Does it go with the engine RPMS, Only when you drive or also in N/P?
If it is present when parked probe for it under the hood.
Which direction did you move the phone to catch the sound?

 

tanprotege, it is speed dependent. It doesn't change with gear change, but it becomes more frequent the faster I go. When the car is idling, I haven't noticed the noise.

I moved the phone from the front passenger side to the front driver's side, far left, over the dash (near the left-hand air vent).

 

My guess is that the wheel bearing is going bad. the noises may travel from the hub through the strut to the strut tower.

 

Hm okay. How much does that run to replace? Any idea?

 

Sorry, I don't know. Also, I suggest not to take my word for absolute. I am here and your car is there.
Please take it to a shop for a diagnosis. Don't tell them, what I am thinking. But tell me what they are thinking.
All the best!

 

After thinking about it I suggest to look at the brakes as well. Maybe the left side is dragging just a bit, which may be fixed by cleaning and greasing the sliders. Or there maybe a backing plate got bent and touches the rotor on occasion.

 

Hey, I just wanted to let you know it was indeed the wheel bearing. I'm getting some (very competent) friends to help me replace it on my own.

The front left is definitely busted, and the front right should be replaced too.

Thanks for the help!