What you describe sure sounds like a wheel bearing but since you replaced them you will need to do a little more digging. Jack up the car again and run it in gear like you did before. Turn off traction control while you do it and you will need an assistant. Carefully put your hand on the coil spring on each side while it is doing it. You will feel a vibration on the side that is doing it. Once you have the side isolated start looking at that one side and see if your new wheel bearing is good, seen plenty of bad bearings new or more often incorrect installation. If it is doing it on both sides you will want to put the trans in manual mode and see if it does it in a particular gear or all of them.

 

acked the front end up, put the car in gear to spin wheels. Noise is still there.

I assume the bearings were installed properly...
Then it's probably the differential. Did you check the fluid level in transmission? Engine running, flat surface, hot preferably.

 

How do you check the transmission fluid level on a 2012 Kia soul Plus I couldn't find a dipstick

 

The bearings were done at a reputable shop. Trans fluid was checked by them and me. It was a 90,000 mile maintenance service job. All belts including the drivetrain belt-water pump-tensioner pulley were replaced. Will check strut/coils for vibration this w/e while the front end is jacked up. Will manually test for noise in each gear. That's about all I know to do.

I appreciate everyone's help. I hope to report back with a resolution.

 

Hello, more info might help, unless I’m missing it, I don’t see the year of the vehicle, your post is in the Gen-1 so I assume it’s a 2010 – 2013? Also, I assume it’s an automatic transmission? I was thinking it may be the rear bearings but you mentioned it still made the noise while jacked up spinning the tires. Are you sure its suspension related and not engine? One test you might try is reeving up the engine to maybe 3000 RPM temporarily in Park, also maybe getting the vehicle to the speed where you hear the noise and put it in neutral to see if it goes away or continues.

 

Check your axles.... mite be damaged

 

On my second front-end lift to check for the roar, I placed my hand on the springs to check for vibration. Smooth. Both sides. However, when my wife smoothly accelerated the wheels from idle rolling to 20 MPH, the springs mildly jumped at one point as if going over a small bump. Didn't hear a clunk. It was repeatable. The roar seemed softer while the front-end was jacked up. However, when road-tested, the roar was back to usual sound levels. On occasion, there is a slight hesitancy in transmission gear change as if there is slack between trans and axel. Taking the car back to shop on Monday, will have them inspect axels and road test with ear to transmission sounds.

 

Could be a bad transmission or engine mount.

 

Please report back what the problem turns out to be.

 

Came across your feed and wondered what it was? We got the same sound on my sons 2016 soul

 

Ever resolved? Experiencing same scenario.

 

Also having this issues, does anyone have answers?

 

When mine was doing it I was told it was the wheel bearing which it takes a lot of special tools to press a wheel bearing in and well removal wheel bearing for that matter so I just bought a whole new hub assembly and that roar went away

 

Front wheel bearing replacement resolved my 2014 Kia soul noise. Noise would increase-decrease based on direction wheel turned when driving straight. Similar sound on other car turned out to be separating tread on tire.

 

Thank you! My noise doesn't seem to change too much based on wheel direction, mainly just acceleration. Mechanic checked the bearings and said they seemed fine, maybe it's just early. But, that has to be what it is! Just a deep "whomb, whomb, whomb" sound as the wheels spin at acceleration.

 

Have tire shop check for internal tread separation. Hard to find unless you know what to look for. Can be caused by hitting pothole, etc.

 

Will do, thanks so much.

 

Good info. Daughter's 2018 Soul+ had the front end "roar" that got quite loud over 40MPH just before she traded it in with 137,000 miles.
Even below 40 MPH it made noise but more of a quieter thrumming sound.
I suspected the wheel bearings, but never got a chance to verify.

 

Results: It was a wheel bearing. Got it replaced and that sound is gone.

Have many other issues, but that one is at least resolved.

 

Results: It was a wheel bearing. Got it replaced and that sound is gone.

Have many other issues, but that one is at least resolved.

Good to hear !!

You know. . . . some people will drive with that wheel bearing "roar" and never notice it.
The noise may start out fairly quiet and then grow louder.
It is good that you paid attention and notice the sound change.