Hello, everybody. I haven't properly introduced myself to the forums yet, however I recently purchased an '08 STI from an ATL-area dealership. Ever since I first brought the car home it's pulled to the right at highway speeds. I figured this was indication of need for alignment or a camber kit, so I took it to a tire place (one I've used for years) and they did an alignment and checked the camber. Apparently I don't need the camber kit. When I picked the car up, the guy who drove the car after doing the alignment said that "the noise" coming from the front-right made him think I have a bad bearing or axle. Furthermore, the car still pulls to the right at higher speeds, though perhaps not as badly. Not sure if this could be related. So ... the only noise I've heard since buying the car is what I've interpreted as tire noise. The car has aftermarket, 19" rims, and I know the STI isn't a quiet car even with stock wheels & tires. I made an appointment with the Subaru dealership to have them check it out this weekend, however my question is: what sort of noise *should* I be hearing in the event of a bad bearing or axle? I really have no idea for what I should be listening, and whether or not the guy at the tire place could simply be wrong.
Wheel bearing sounds like a old biplane propeller. It can change tone if the wheel is turned left to right. If you put the car in the air and spin the wheels the sound would go away if its tires. Bad axles will make a poping sound when there going bad.