F&$#ing New Noise

[galaxy]

UUuggghhhh! So first off, I know diagnosing noises over the internet is futile at best. I just want to talk this outloud to make sure I'm hunting in the right spots using sound logic.

But I have a pretty darn predominant (and very new and distinguishable from existing noises) hum/buzz noise that's for certain coming from the rear end. It started out of the blue while cruising down the road on a road trip. It started 400 miles into a 500 mile drive almost like flipping on a light switch.

It is constant and it varies with vehicle speed and speed only. It does not change with any other factor. It does not change with any of the following; acceleration or decel rate, load on the engine, load on the rear axle/gears (on or off the gas), g-force, lateral forces (turning slow in a parking lot nor high loads like fast curves), clutch/engine engagement, gear selection, braking pressure or effort, etc, etc.

Again, it only changes with vehicle speed and it's hard to make out until 35+ or so.

I'm thinking it's gotta be something in a wheel assembly area; brake/disc related, hub/bearing, etc. And given the history on the car, I'm really gonna focus on the hubs. I hate to just throw parts at it. Wish sometimes it would just fail, lol. But just wanted to bounce the logic off you guys.

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[Eyesac]

I like you're Hub logic. Not a ton you can do to diag a diff from the outside (look for yoke end play, or drain and look for debris), but the hubs are quick, easy and cheap. My very first hub (of x3) failed on a 400 mile trip, gave me a light show on the dash and then went away. I couldn't feel any play in the hub in any way until I got down to the bare hub, then it was obvious. Also, I think I could do one it 45min if I tried, don't think you have to disassemble all the rear susp to replace!