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Humming noise...wheel bearing?

NEK5

NEK5

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My DD (2004 scion xA) has a humming noise that is getting worse. It differentiates with speed. It gets kind of loud between 30-45, then its not as loud between 45-55, then it seems like its louder between 55-65. Between 65-70 which is where I'm normally at on the highway its not too too bad, but still noticeable. Seems to go away almost completely when I turn to the right. I know I have a tire thats getting pretty bad in the back right (wheel is slightly bent i think) but it sounds like its coming from the front. Tough to tell though being such a small car. I replaced both rear bearing/hub assemblies a couple years back.

Any ideas?

thanks in advance guys!
 
NEK5 said:
My DD (2004 scion xA) has a humming noise that is getting worse. It differentiates with speed. It gets kind of loud between 30-45, then its not as loud between 45-55, then it seems like its louder between 55-65. Between 65-70 which is where I'm normally at on the highway its not too too bad, but still noticeable. Seems to go away almost completely when I turn to the right. I know I have a tire thats getting pretty bad in the back right (wheel is slightly bent i think) but it sounds like its coming from the front. Tough to tell though being such a small car. I replaced both rear bearing/hub assemblies a couple years back.

Any ideas?

thanks in advance guys!
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Check your CV shafts. When those start to go, they can make humming or grinding sounds, and they often sound different when you turn.
 
If it goes away or lessens when you turn sharply to the right,its likely the right side bearing going bad,probably the front but it can be hard to tell--usually a bearing bad enough to make noises will have at least a hint of play in it also,raising the wheels off the ground and listening to it while your spin the tire by hand might help you pinpoint which one,it might feel lumpy --often though,without weight on them,they wont sound bad..

A friend uses a mechanics stethascope with the car running up on the lift to help diagnose which bearing it is..it could be a bac CV axle joint too,but usually they'll go "click-click-click" at full lock or going around corners and the hum wont go away or lessen on turns as much as a bad bearing will..

My Ford Contour had humming noise in the RF wheel since I got it in 2005 and I drove it almost 6500 miles till it really sounded like it was going to be dangerous to keep using it..the plates expired in august,I decided to take it off the road,I may sell it soon to a friend..he's willing to replace the bearings,do some other needed repairs to get it inspected,and take the risk the tranny might have issues..
I'm not in any position to keep it much longer...I'd have fixed the bearings myself if they were the bolt on type,but they are the sucky ones that needed to be pressed out after taking off the steering knuckle..bearings costed 30 bucks--pressing them costs 35-65 each around here..
 
The easiest thing is to jack up each corner and check for play in the bearings. Then you could rotate tires to see if the sound moves. That's all free. Changing when you steer suggests that it's in the front, but doesn't really tell you if it's tire or bearing, as the camber can change when you steer.
 
Thanks for the tips guys, hopefully i get a chance to check it out ASAP.
 
Another trick to determine bad wheel bearings, jack up and support the front wheels. Put the car in drive, allow the tires to spin about 30mph, and have a friend hold the springs on the struts, if they vibrate badly the bearings bad.

Sometimes the bearings can be bad but not have physical play. Does the noise change while turning slightly?
 
Really sounds like classic wheel bearing symptoms. I actually have one in the mail for me FWD DD as well.
 
Seems to quiet down quite a bit at 75 mph. Sound normal for a wheel bearing?
 
It's been a while since I've driven in a vehicle with a bad u joint but that almost is what it seems like it now. I can feel it in the floor at lower speeds.
 
NEK5 said:
Seems to quiet down quite a bit at 75 mph. Sound normal for a wheel bearing?
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I'm betting on it since that's what mine is doing and that's the part I ordered. I'm not sure if it's really quieter or just masked by the increased wind and tire noise. There is just the tiniest noticeable of play in the bearing when I pull on the wheel. Of course this is an AMERICAN car, so it took 197,000 miles to get there. :D
 
I would not tempt fate driving at 75 mph with a failing front wheel bearing..the bearing fails completely and the hub,rim and tire could come off with the CV joint attached..:eek1:..that might be inconvenient in rush hour interstate traffic..:doah:
 
Sounds like a cv shaft or front wheel bearing. Don't drive it very far
Or fast if you have to use it. The whole front end could fall
Off on the bad side.
 
Changed the front right wheel bearing. Still doing it. Still humming/vibrating while going straight or left. Turn the wheel slightly right, Practically goes away completely. Cv shaft seemed fine and it's not clicking or anything

Now what? :confused:
 
Could be a trans issue. The issue seems to change sound around the top end of a gear change when the engine is revved up. Just another thought. Checked the fluid lately? Ever changed it since 04? Most trans guys say change it every 60000.
 
chulisohombre said:
Could be a trans issue. The issue seems to change sound around the top end of a gear change when the engine is revved up. Just another thought. Checked the fluid lately? Ever changed it since 04? Most trans guys say change it every 60000.
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Only changes with speed (regardless of RPM or gear shifts) and when I turn the wheel. Could it be the drivers side? That's where all the noise and vibration seems to be coming from, although it's still very hard to tell.

As far as changing fluid, i bought it from my mom in 08 when it had around 70-80k on it. Not sure if she ever had it done at the dealers while she had it.

Luckily I was able to borrow my buddys gf's car to take to class tomorrow (1.5 hr drive one way) as i certainly didn't want to make that ride again in this car the way it is. We will hopefully be doing the other bearing Saturday morning. Figured its worth a shot, we already got the parts.
 
What pointed you to the left side bearing? Did it have any play in it? It's harder to test front bearings for smoothness than the back unless you want to pull the halfshafts, which is usually a pain. Pulling the bearing out is probably easier, but sometimes the back gets ripped off in disassembly, so even if it was good it isn't then.

Good news for me is that I replaced my DS front bearing tonight and the problem is totally gone.


diesel4me said:
I would not tempt fate driving at 75 mph with a failing front wheel bearing..the bearing fails completely and the hub,rim and tire could come off with the CV joint attached..:eek1:..that might be inconvenient in rush hour interstate traffic..:doah:
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I don't really worry about a bearing that just started to make noise. If I had to address every new noise the day it started I would be lucky to ever get anywhere :D. I suppose a bearing could fracture and lock the wheel up, but they usually start really complaining before grenading. It's when they start getting loose that scares me. I had a rear one once get loose enough I could move the top of the tire about 3/4" :eek1: It never made any noise and the van drove fine. I just happened to find it when I was changing tires.
 
Blue85 said:
What pointed you to the left side bearing? Did it have any play in it? It's harder to test front bearings for smoothness than the back unless you want to pull the halfshafts, which is usually a pain. Pulling the bearing out is probably easier, but sometimes the back gets ripped off in disassembly, so even if it was good it isn't then.

Good news for me is that I replaced my DS front bearing tonight and the problem is totally gone.




I don't really worry about a bearing that just started to make noise. If I had to address every new noise the day it started I would be lucky to ever get anywhere :D. I suppose a bearing could fracture and lock the wheel up, but they usually start really complaining before grenading. It's when they start getting loose that scares me. I had a rear one once get loose enough I could move the top of the tire about 3/4" :eek1: It never made any noise and the van drove fine. I just happened to find it when I was changing tires.
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Neither side had any play in it, right side felt a little rough when turning the hub by hand, left side felt similar IIRC maybe not as bad. Replacing the the right side bearing may have quieted it down a tiny bit, but it still sounds like a friggin airplane in there with the windows closed :crazy:

I read a post somewhere that said this. : There are some notable exceptions to this test and unfortunately the Ford Explorer can be one of them. With certain Ford Explorers I have noticed the exact opposite. The harmonics or chassis design has caused the sound to travel opposite the load or weight shift, and when this occurs it's very easy to condemn a good bearing.

Any truth to that?

Cv shafts seemed fine, hopefully swapping the left bearing cures it.
 
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