Strut Mount Noise vs. Wheel Hub Noise: How to Tell the Difference

Few things are as frustrating as a strange noise coming from the front of your vehicle. A dull clunk, rhythmic humming, or low growl can all sound similar from behind the wheel, but they come from very different components. Two of the most commonly confused culprits are the strut mount and the wheel hub. Both sit near each other, both affect ride quality, and both wear out with mileage. Knowing the difference between their noises can save you from replacing the wrong part and keep your vehicle driving safely and smoothly.

What the Strut Mount Does and How It Sounds When Worn

A strut mount connects the top of your suspension strut to the vehicle’s chassis. It supports weight, cushions vibration, and allows the strut to pivot as the wheels steer. Over time, the rubber isolator inside the mount dries out, cracks, or separates from the metal plate. The bearing assembly that lets the strut rotate can also seize or grind. When that happens, you’ll hear sharp clunks or metallic pops when turning the steering wheel, especially at low speeds or over bumps. You might also feel the steering bind slightly as the spring twists, then releases with a creak or squeak. Because the strut mount moves with the steering, noises tend to change in rhythm or intensity when the steering wheel is turned—this is one of the easiest ways to identify it.

What the Wheel Hub Does and the Sounds It Makes When Failing

Wheel hubs are responsible for allowing the wheel to rotate freely while supporting the weight of the vehicle. They contain bearings packed with high-temperature grease that reduce friction. When these bearings start to wear or lose lubrication, they produce a low humming, rumbling, or droning sound that increases with road speed, regardless of whether you’re turning the wheel. A classic way to test a bad hub is to swerve gently left and right at moderate speed. If the noise gets louder when you turn left, the right hub is likely failing—and vice versa. A growl that gets worse the faster you go is a strong indicator of bearing failure. In severe cases, the sound can escalate to a grinding or metallic scraping as the bearing begins to disintegrate.

How to Tell Them Apart Without a Shop Visit

When parked, turn the steering wheel lock to lock. If you hear popping or creaking while stationary, it’s most likely the strut mount. If the sound only appears when the car is moving and grows with speed, it’s almost certainly the wheel hub. You can also lift each front wheel and spin it by hand; roughness, resistance, or looseness when gripping the tire at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions confirms a hub issue.

Fix It Once, Fix It Right

If both parts are original, replacing the strut mount and hub at the same time may restore ride comfort and eliminate all noises. When it’s time to choose replacement parts, GSP Latin America offers precision-engineered hub assemblies and strut components designed for durability, quiet operation, and performance in Latin American driving conditions.