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The front tires on my '02 EX are making a howling noise when I drive on the freeway. I bought the car in Dec. '02 and it only has 5700 freeway miles, so I don't understand why the tires would be doing this.

The noise just started about 1 week ago and it happens when I am going 75mph-80mph. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but since the day I bought the car my steering wheel has been a little off center. When I am going straight, with my hands off the wheel, it stays turned slightly to the left. Its confusing because sometimes it feels like its barely pulling to the right (wth) and other times it steers straight, so I don't know if there is an alignment problem or not. Any advice or comments? Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 311

Could be an alignment problem or maybe a tire balance. I had something similar happen to me before in my truck. It would pull the the left so bad that I had to hold the steering wheel at 1 o'clock to drive straight. The problem was the tire had a bulge on the inner part of the tread(not sidewall). After replacing the tire it drove fine.

If you think its a tire related problem, try rotating the front to the rear and see how it drives. If it improves then its a tire or balance issue. If not, then most likely an alignment or steering component problem.

EDIT: BTW the stock tires arent the best in any department except maybe wear.. and they make alot of road noise.