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!

 

[Mach VII]

Did you pick something up off the road that now rubs against a rotating part?

 

[Kachow]

Just had this. Car had 34k aprox on it. Would make a noise from rear around 50 mph.

Turned out to be right rear hub. Wouldn’t change like yours except at certain speed.

Also, the jiggle wheel test came out fine. At the shop they listened with a tool and it was easy to tell.

 

[pilotgore]

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.

Like others have said, I had a similar noise which I (for no apparent reason) thought was the rear end. Turns out it was a wheel bearing. Probably happened around 2,000-3,000 miles.

 

[Unbridled5.0]

If you have an infrared laser temp gun you can take it for a drive and then take and compare side to side measurements of various things and narrow it down. Whatever it is sounds like it's probably generating extra heat.

 

[galaxy]

If you have an infrared laser temp gun you can take it for a drive and then take and compare side to side measurements of various things and narrow it down. Whatever it is sounds like it's probably generating extra heat.

Funny enough, that's the only thing I've done so far. And at the end of a 500 mile drive. No variances in tire, brake, center wheel/hub area. Great minds! I gotta get it up in the air next week and start digging.

 

[JAJ]

I'm with @Mach VII. I think you picked up a bit of flotsam off the road and it's rubbing against something that's moving. No heat, sudden start, no variation with driving changes - it all sounds like a stick that's caught in the fender liner rubbing against the tire.

 

[SheepDog]

Get a mechanics stethoscope from Harbor freight. Remove the wheel. Rotate the hub by hand while you listen with the scope touching the spindle near the bearing. You will be able to hear any sort of issue with the bearing that you wouldn't be able to hear otherwise, or that wouldn't show up on a wiggle test.

 

[galaxy]

thanks guys. All on the list to do. Gonna get it post road trip detail, then up in the air and start snooping around. Hopefully something jumps out at me, or falls apart in my hand. Will gladly take either one. Will keep ya updated.

 

[horsepower addiction]

Hub or rear end

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