Get out your compact spare and install it on one corner. Go for a drive and see if the noise disappears. If not, try another corner.

I'm guessing you have a broken belt in a tire. Hit any giant potholes recently??

That doesn't mean you didn't get a defective one... Did the sound exist before you got the tires?

krazykarguy wrote:

Did the sound exist before you got the tires?

+1 for this. Put on a different set of wheels, this eliminates the tires, bent wheels, bad balance job... much cheaper and easier than swapping other parts.

Did you do all four wheel bearings or just the fronts?

myzislow wrote:

My bet is its a wheel bearing. I had the same exact thing recently and it was a front right wheel bearing. I know you just replaced them, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have been faulty, improperly installed, or if u sourced a used one it could've already been bad..

As soon as I hit 45 Mph it was very apparent, and would get worse when turning.

The thing is the noise is the same intensity and everything whether you turn left or right. Usually a bad wheel bearing would cause the noise to only occur when turning one way or at least be louder turning one way vs the other. Not saying it couldnt be a bad wheel bearing, just never seen both go bad at the exact same time before.

This thread title is fap worthy 

SaabRX wrote:

I remember a LONG time ago here, someone stated the sizes were different on the cross.  Don't take but a second to put the old axles in if you have them.

Not sure what you're saying here, but it's worth noting wagon axles are shorter than sedan. The difference is small, but if they are aftermarket sedan axles they might not be happy being compressed. It isn't a fast task to swap the front axles, and the car would need an alignment the way I do it (undoing the strut from the knuckle).

Still betting on a wheel bearing

Update on the thumping noise. It is still present throughout the speedometer range but here are the specifics...

0-25mph -> faint but present
25-25mph -> a lot louder and can feel it through the pedals
25-50mph -> faint but still present
50+mph -> louder (and faster of course) and can feel it through pedals

It seems to get slightly louder when turning left, but even louder when turning right, which to me would mean its coming from the front left, correct?

Does not change when pressing in clutch pedal or brake pedal, so I know its not either of those systems. Has to be a rotational assembly that changes with speed, which wheel bearing would make sense even tho I already replaced the front bearings.

It wouldn't be the rear bearing if I am feeling it in the pedals, right?

Thinking about taking it to the subaru dealer and paying the diagnostic fee just so I at least know for sure what the issue is. Most likely I can do the work myself for whatever is causing the issue.

That was my initial thought too, but wasnt sure. I am used to working on rwd. This is my first awd car, so there is learning to be had. I wish there was someone local that knew more about these issues and could give insight, but being new to subaru's leaves me unsure. The noise is so clear and feels like its right where you are sitting which makes me think its in the front. But as you said, everything is connected, so I guess the noise could be coming from rear and just radiating to the front. I'll see if one of my buddies can sit in the cargo area and listen for me.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions!

So basically I should just go ahead replace the rear wheel bearings and see if that fixes it? Since I've already done the fronts.

I agree. I had a wheel bearing replaced years ago after an accident, and I think they did a bad job installing it. It started making noise a few months later and I had it replaced again. All good now.

Turns out to be the front driver bearing. Will be replacing it yet again on wednesday. This better solve the issue