[:@] my daughter's 2000 zx2 has a load "roaring" noise in the front end. The noise gets louder as the speed increases, it's especially loud when cornering. Could this be something as simple as wheel bearings???

 

It is most likely the wheel bearings. Those have to be pressed out of the hub to be replaced.

 

I have the same problem. I can't seem to locate it, various mechanics swore to me it was the right side, I replaced that bearing and the noise is still there. Could it be the other side? Or maybe my steering knuckles are bad? Cvs are tight and clean, no problems or noises there. I raised each front wheel individually and spun at 40mph, and left side IS noticeably louder than right. Please original poster, if you get this problem fixed, let me know what was wrong and was replaced? Thanks.

 

Sometimes the noise can sound like one side and actually be the other or both. If one bearing went bad, then the other is soon to follow.

 

Thanks, You were right, it was the left side not the right. All fixed now, wish I had raised each wheel and listened before I had it in the shop the first time.

 

Yes, it sure could! My Mini (1960, not New Mini) had a similar sound - only it was more like a death rattle - sure enough, it was a wheel bearing.

 

growling noise that increases with speed and on a turn: bearings... why do you say its so simple its a major pain to do it yourself, and major rip off to get it done for you.

Whichever way you turn, that puts the most weight to the opposite side, and if the noise increases, then that's the bad bearing.
for me the growling noise got louder with speed, and was loud when I turned left. The right bearing was bad.

I replaced my front right one last summer. The pressed ones are a true pain. I had to cut the old bearing race off with an angle grinder (you can easily do it safely if you go real slow) and press the other side out, then we managed to press the new bearing in with a floor press. You can get one for well under $100 from harbor freight. (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=1667). Be sure to check it out for size, the one we had was about 1 inch to small and it ended up doubling our labor time, with us scratching our heads on how to get it all to fit the press.

You have to very conscious of where you're applying pressure, because if you press on the wrong surface you very easily destroy the bearing, and they aren't very cheap.

This is a job that one shouldn't attempt without the help of an experienced buddy.

 

with the wheels up you have no load/stress on the bearing and are less likely to hear the problem anyhow. i'd go for the hard cornering method.