I've got a 9 year old Clio that makes a repetitive "whoomph" noise from the front, that sounds like the noise is coming from both wheel arches. Too low to the ground to sound like it is from the engine. The noise only starts up at high speeds (over about 50mph) and after driving for a while. 1st time 5 hrs, next 2.5 hrs, next 45 min. It stops again when the car slows down. I think the car is also making a really low pitched booming as well - at higher speeds when it isn't going whoopmh.

Anybody know what this could be? The garage was no help, as it doesn't make it from standing.
Thanks.

from what you are stateing it sounds like a wheel bearing..........it may be at a very early stage hence the fact that you ont hear it at high speeds and also why the garage you took it to were no help....they probably didnt take it out for a high speed drive

Thanks for the reply.
We had both front wheel bearings replaced in August. We first heard the noise in October. Do you think replacement wheel bearings could knacker again that quickly? It's not like the growling /grinding noise we heard before we got those done either. It is also very intermittent (until it gets going).

dear clio98
do you have the standard wheels fitted or have you replaced them with wider rimmed alloys / low profile type, that sort of thing. if you have then there's a strong poss that they may rub on the plastic wheel arch liners as the speed increases, so does the momentum of the car & in turn the suspension poss bringing the tyres into contact with under arch liners. have you looked for any signs of rubbing/scuffing on inside of tyres/ arch liners. about your wheel bearings it is poss that having wider wheels can put extra stress on the bearings, but wouldn't knacker them that quick, unless you do a lot of mad driving , ie doing do-nuts, wheelies, constant hard cornering & kerbing wheels. if that's you then purchase a set of competition bearings, not cheap but more chance of standing upto afore mentioned treatment. hope this helps, regards dj dave.