1G Howling noise at highway speeds? W/ Video

[CrackedDSM]

Hey guys, I’m getting a concerning noise. At highway(60+ MPH) speeds this thing is making a howling noise. Sound travels in this car so I can’t really tell if it’s coming from a wheel or the rear end.

Here’s a short video of it.

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What could this be? How can I test out/check or narrow it down? All help majorly appreciated!


For what it’s worth: there’s no sound deadening in the trunk or under the seats. The trunk especially has holes in it ranging from quarter sized to dime sized. Is this just normal rear end noise with no sound deadening?

 

[steve]

Does it still do it if you take it out of gear and coast?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Does it still do it if you take it out of gear and coast?

I don't think so. I will test it out and report back, but I don't THINK so.

 

[dwb]

Wheel bearing(s)?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Wheel bearing(s)?

How would I test the rear ones? There's like, zero play in the front wheels. They were replaced "new" like, 10 years ago but then sat outside for all that time.

Uuuggghhhhh, I really don't want to have to replace them/mess with new ones.

 

[Car Cannibal]

On my old Honda had a similar whine and it was the rear wheel bearing. If it changes volume with MPH it's most likely a bearing but that's just my experience with something similar.

 

[dwb]

I did fronts a month ago and solved some of what I thought was drivetrain noise. I couldn't feel any play on a jack but I could feel it on a bumpy or grooved roads or highway speeds.

 

[CrackedDSM]

I did fronts a month ago and solved some of what I thought was drivetrain noise. I couldn't feel any play on a jack but I could feel it on a bumpy or grooved roads or highway speeds.

I was worried about this. The previous owner said he did the front wheel bearings and the rears too. But the car sat on its wheels without axles in the front of the car for..awhile. Couple years I think. Is that long enough to damage them?


I need to find a way to diagnose or confirm its them, because this will suck if I spend the money for quality bearings front and rear, and it still makes noise.

 

[dwb]

I bought NSK front bearings from Rockauto. They look identical to OEM/KOYO but a fraction the cost.

 

[CrackedDSM]

I bought NSK front bearings from Rockauto. They look identical to OEM/KOYO but a fraction the cost.

Alright, so I'm convinced. I ordered a set of Timken bearings front and rear, with OEM Mitsu seals. Even if this doesn't fix the problem, I'm sure this car needs them or will need them. Because it sat for a very long time, and got towed(on wheel dollies, but still..) on wheels with no axles holding the bearings in.


I'll update the thread when I pull/replace the bearings if I find a smoking gun.

 

[TerminalTalon]

If the noise changes left to right like a slalom it’s wheel bearings.

 

[TerminalTalon]

on wheels with no axles holding the bearings

That’ll do it

 

[TerminalTalon]

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