My Protege (2002) has develped a thumping noise in the rear passenger side tire area when the after the car starts moving. One place said it might be a broken belt in the tire. Another place said it sounds like the wheel bearing. I don't know what the symptoms are if it's the wheel bearing, but thought that it would be more of a squeeking noise that is constant. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

A wheel bearing will make a roaring noise when driving. It will also not be as loud if you shift the weight of the car...as in making a right turn when there is not as much pressure on the right side. Usually if there is a broken belt in a tire, the car will wobble due to a bubble in it. The first thing I thought it was is a problem in that strut. Does the noise seem more pronounced when hitting bumps, or is it constant?

 

The noise is constant. You can hear the thump with every rotation of the tire when going slow. Once you speed up its hard to notice it as maybe anything more than a roar.

 

I would take that tire off and see if there anything obvious broken or loose. I would also check that there is nothing stuck in the tire like a screw or other object.