Need some collective help.

[kavandershadow]

Ok, so my wife’s car (2013 Elantra w/38,5xxK) started to make a strange noise coming from the front.

Though she ran over a rock or nail, checked the tires, nothing indicated a lodged rock in the treads or a nail/screw.

I replaced the pads at 22k and had no problems or complaints till now.

I drove the car today, and there is a knocking sound coming from the front end. The knock is with every rotation of the tires, and increases in loudness in relation to speed.

When I step on the brakes, the knock gets way louder. Minimal vibration in the steering wheel with or W/o brakes applied. Very mild pulsation during stopping (I noticed the rotors are blued over)

I know when a wheel bearing is going the knock usually goes away as the brakes dampen the play.
Control arms do the same thing, but they look really good. Ball joints look ok.
Checked the lugs and they are tight.

I’ve dealt with stuck calipers, and the noise always went away when applying the brakes.

This one has me perplexed, as it’s a fairly new car with low mileage.

I’m taking the day off tomorrow to lift the car and remove the wheels.

Any ideas?

[snaker]

I have had several occasions of gravel pebbles getting jammed into the front wheel area and making various noises and vibrations.

A good test for front wheel bearings is pay attention during curves on the road (not so much intersection turns).
The front corner on the outside of the curve will often growl.

Assuming front wheel drive, check the CV joints

[kavandershadow]

Lifted the car today, drivers side wheel bearing is shot. Almost 1/2inch of play in all compass directions