So I'm hoping someone can give me some suggestions. I have a 2011 hhr and it is making that sound just like a bad wheel bearing roaring kind of but this is my problem. I replaced one maybe 6 months and figured time to do the other no big deal and there was a little play in the wheel , very little. Well after replacing the problems didnt go away still loud roaring while driving louder the faster I go. I turn the wheel side to side and cannot notice any difference in sound and that little play I mentioned is still in the wheel when I do the top bottom check. Now let me tell ya what's been done in the last 6 months to a yr. Every front end suspension part except control arms, brakes rotors, rear shoes all new. The rear brakes was in serious need of adjustment I struggled with that but I think I got it now. I worried maybe that caused the rotors to warp and that's the problem but the pads have no uneven wear and with both tires in air turning wheels by hand I cant get the wheels to make any scraping noise at all so I am at a loss. I rotated the tires and nothing changed, does anyone have any suggestions I'm at a loss. Thank you.

 

If the hub has any noticeable play, it is bad.

 

End play tolerance for hubs is 0.015 inch. In other words: if a human can sense it it is too much.
Is the sound evident while sitting still? I've heard cracked flex pipe described that way.
Some people will blame CV axles.
one instance proved to be a RC cola cap stuck in the alternator.
could be serpentine belt tensioner.

 

Older tires can make sounds, but wouldn't explain the 'play in the wheel'.

 

Perhaps he means "play in the (steering) wheel".

 

True, that would be good to get clarified.

 

The play is the same with brand new hub on. It's very little but its play . The other 3 are solid.

 

The play is grabbing wheel at top and bottom , push pull I cant feel it move a lil bit but just put new hub and bearing on today and it's still moves that same little bit.

Flex pipe and complete exhaust less than a month old.

Tires are maybe 6 months still look new , just had it aligned not to long ago also

 

The noise comes with rotation of wheels. Faster I go louder it gets.

Belt tensioner, could that sound similar to a bearing? its extremely loud .

 

Tire/wheel grab at 12 & 6 position and push pull and it does slightly move with the old hub and new. The other 3 wheels are solid no movement/play. Sorry if I'm not using the correct terms. I apologize for any misunderstanding.