Tires: humming noise with new tires, cv joint, road surfaces

Question
Two weeks ago I had new front tires (P205/70R15 Goodyear Viva 2) put on a 1999 Grand Prix. I got about 80,000 miles on the original tires but the front passenger had a flat so I replaced them both at the same time. Since install, I've noticed a quiet but near-constant, low-pitched humming noise at speeds over 65 or 70. But when going the same speed and I turn the wheel, like to change lanes, the sound gets a lot louder and a lot lower. I've had the car back in for a re-balance but that hasn't solved the problem. I was told I had bent rim on the front drivers side though the humming noise sounds like it's on the passenger and I never heard the noise with the old tires and the rim was probably bent then too. Any ideas? Did I get a bum tire? Is it still out of balance? Is it the rim?  

Answer
Kristine,

It's possible it's the tire, but this sounds more like a CV joint (The change in noise when turning the wheel).

If it is the tires, then the noise should pretty much be there regardless of the speeds except to change pitch, and should change when you change road surfaces - like asphalt to concrete.