Hey Guys, I recently bought a 2010 XC90 with about 85,000 miles and overall love the vehicle so far...upgraded from an S60. The only issue I notice is that between 63-68MPH i hear a sort of loud droning or humming sound that is like this if you say it out loud..."nahhhhhnnnnnnnn...nahhhhhhh...nnnnnn...nah hhh"
It is a constant droning sound....but only at that speed and no other. Is this a common sound or is something wrong? Just replaced all 4 brakes so that isn't it and I also checked the hub while doing so and none had any play. Anyone here of this before or have an idea? It kind of sounds like it is coming from the front half of the vehicle if I had to guess. Absolutely no drivability issues or vibrations etc...any help would be great!

 

Anyone have even a clue?

 

I attached a video with sound of the humming noise...you will hear it if you turn up your speakers.

 

My experience with wheel bearings is they make noises a lower speeds ie 20-40 mph. I'd suspect your droning is tire noise - check for cupping or uneven wear. Have you done a wheel alignment recently? See if a front to rear tire rotation makes a diff. I also own a VW CC as well and they are notorious for going out of alignment and cupping tires in as little as 5-10K miles. LOL my snows are quiter than my summer tires right now... you can google all the hate mail CC owners have for Conti tires :-)

 

I literally just had a wheel alignment done and brand new tires. My old tires made the same noise. I could try swapping the front with the rear. Just not sure it is weird haha.

 

I can't open the .avi file but my droning sound was the rear differential. Let me find my thread and point you to it.
Update: Sorry wrong forum. Post was over in Swedespeed. Look for a post on the "dreaded differential whine." I have a link to a video with the sound.

 

Ok, mine is definitely not that but thank you for your reply. Mine is a droning noise instead of a constant whine.

 

Hey guys,

I wanted to update this old post I made 3 years go and see if it helps someone. I am still driving the same car and absolutely love it, but I think the "droning noise" has gotten a bit worse. I still have done nothing but normal maintenance to this car since I bought it with 80K Miles in 2018. I have changed the tires which made no difference.

I do have an update though and why I am posting. The noise seems to go away if say I am going 70 and coming around a large curve to the right. It does not go away turning to the left. It is very noticeable and this car would be much more of a pleasure to drive without it. I am thinking wheel bearing noise? But which one? The hubs are tight and nothing has play anywhere.

The sound is actually similar to pearson28 above, but with more high-low droning inflection if that makes sense.

Thanks!

 

Well I have solved he mystery and I am so happy!!! It was the REAR WHEEL BEARING!! Passenger side...

Should have changed it a long time ago...but no more worries now and the car is quieter than ever. Hopefully this helps someone else out there.

 

mal81394, thanks for wrapping up this story. It's helpful for me.