I have a 2001 Y 1.9 Tdi Elegance with 95000 miles on the clock. Lots of problems about a year ago, but touch wood nothing else for quite a while.

Strange noise when cruising at above 40mph. Sounds like a constant humm, or low pitch grinding noise, related to speed of road wheels. Not really loud, but definately wasn't there before. Having the radio/CD on at normal volume, you can still hear the hum or grinding noise. It is not worse going around bends and not a lot worse at motorway speeds. Comes on a little more when accelerating and dies a little when foot taken off accelerator. Steering wheel is nice and steady at speed when you take your hands off momentarily. The car does not wander to the side. Ie believe there are no problems with wheel balancing or alignment.

I wonder if this noise could be wheel bearings? Any ideas anyone. :confused:

Does it get any worse on turning left to right?

No, not any worse on turning left or right. I can't hear the noise at slow speeds. The noise does not get worse on long sweeping bends at 50-70mph.

This might sound a bit off the wall, but maybe an oval tyre or over-tall tread-wear indicator? I've had this happen (on a mate's car) and it took us several hours head-scratching to locate it.

Jack it up and grab the tyre at 12 and 6 o clock and 3 and 9 to see if theres any play?

Classic way of diagnosing bearings, but the answer to Ross's question seems to rule out bearings and CV joints.

I have the same rumbling sound coming from the back wheels/tyres. I recently had my front tyres changed from Avons to Toyos after 26,000 miles. The tyre fitter claims this is a well known 'Avon' problem. The tyres lose their shape after a year or so and can become noisy as a result.

I have recently(about 1000 miles ago) put new Goodyear Eagle F3 GSD's on the front wheels, with the part worn Eagle F3 GSD's that were on the front, to replace the rear tyres which were worn. They are new tyres, so it is not tread wear indicators that are 'proud'. I guess it is possible the new tyres are slightly oval?. I will monitor the noise as the weeks go by and hope for the best. By the way, I highly recommend the Goodyear Eagle F3 GSD's which have performed excellently in all this wet weather. They give me a great deal of confidence. I will forgive them for making a little noise, if it is the tryes that are the cause of the noise!

I frequently find that a change of make of tyre (or even just new tyres of same make) gives rise to this sort of phenomonon.

Took car to local Skoda garage today to have rear discs and pads replaced. They said the noise was the off side front wheel bearings wearing out. Been quoted just over

I was charged about