I'm almost sure that I have a sticking caliper or a wheel bearing going bad. The noise is in the rear right, a humming that increases pitch and volume the faster I go...thats about it. I haven't taken the wheel off yet or anything, just wondering if there is any input before I do. The sound doesn't seem to change with braking, only speed...leads me to believe its a wheel bearing. Any suggestions or advice? Has anyone had this problem with their 2K SE?

 

Sounds exactly like a bad rear wheel bearing. Fortunately, it's one sealed unit assembly with hub, and considering that, it isn't too expensive to get a new one (local dealer wanted $120, Dave B's price is $95).

Make sure you replace the big spindle nut too (it crushes to lock in place), which is about another $4 or so.

The job itself isn't terribly difficult if you've ever worked on your own brakes before. Just be careful with the ABS sensor (I removed it while changing out the hub, just to be sure). Also, the old spindle nut (30mm or 36mm, or something like that - Lisle tools sells a socket that'll work) is real tough to remove. I ended up removing mine with my massive air impact gun. And you'll need a torque wrench that can go to 150 lb when you tighten up the new nut.

Just for reference, I was quoted about $400 to have someone do the job, and it cost me about $125 to do it myself (bought parts locally b/c I didn't want to pay Dave B 2nd day air at that time).

PS - There are some aftermarket sources for that bearing/hub part, but I've found them all to be more expensive than OEM and/or the parts has to be special-ordered. Also, one guy on this forum went that way (to get something he felt would last longer than OEM), and found he needed to take it to a machine shop to get the ABS ring pressed onto the new hub. The OEM piece came with a new ring and new wheel studs already in place!

 

I have that sound in my right front. 2000 auto se. It seems to fade away if I drive a little.

 

Thats is def the bearing and as said above if you can do your own brakes you can do this job as well.

 

Can't help you diagnose that, but if it IS your wheel bearings, it's a bit more complicated (and more expensive) in the front than the rear b/c your front bearings are not a one piece unit with the hub.

 

Actually the whole thing is one unit

 

actually i think i have the same problem did your steering get loose and unstable?

 

Okay cool. I found the whole rear hub assembly online for $85, plus a new nut $5. Getting ready to do the job myself soon. The studs and the ABS ring are all on the hub already, just gotta slap it on.

Do I have to pack grease into the new bearings before I put the hub on or not?

Thanks for all the help too...I could really tell it was the rear right bearing when taking turns...the sound almost goes away totally in a right corner.

 

where did you get those? thanks.

 

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 4th GEN, i talked to my auto mechanic, and right when i told him he told me its my muffler, he even took a ride with me, take it to any auto mechanic and theyll probably tell you... in the rear right.. yup, when you increase speed it humms and then it might stop as you increase your speed more... and when you slow down it stops also

 

no greasing is neccasery

 

lol your muffler ? ?

 

hrm i let my car sit for a few days b/c my maf died and i just got my new one in today and my right rear is howling like a freaking 4x4 w/ mud tires, i dunno if its my tire or wheel bearing...

 

I tought I might have a bearing going, too, but I'm not positive. I really only hear the hum at 60mph, can't hear anything ever until at least 50, can't hear much past 65 (but it might just be drowned out with wind and road noise). I can't figure out which side it's coming from. I haven't jacked it up and tried to move the wheels, but that'll only tell me if the bearing is real bad. I only noticed it recently...shortly after I put my snow tires on. But I don't remember any noise like this from the last 2 winters with the same tires. Hmmm.

 

the problem is either the tire itself, or the wheel bearing.

 

Yeah, I just wish I could pinpoint it. Can anyone share their failing wheel bearing experiences? How loud and at what speed could you hear it? I've heard failing wheel bearings and they've all been obvious at lower speeds (i.e. really loud by 30mph), but I'm wondering if humming from 50-65mph could also be a sign.

 

The 99 SE I just bought has unevenly worn rear tires (aka shredded). The tires still have over 50% tread left, so I hvae learned to live with it. It is a noise that increases the faster you go and at times it can be annoying. All you have to do to see if it is your tire is to bring it down to your local shop and ask the mechanic to look at your tire. They sholdn't charge you anything, just tell them that you think that it could be the tire. If it is not the tire that is faulty, it is most likely the wheel bearing.

 

Sounds like a wheel bearing starting to fail. Normally when they begin to go bad you will notice this "humming" sound you describe; HOWEVER, the noise will not just start all of a sudden at 50 mph. If its a bad bearing you should be able to hear the sound at lower speeds which then continues to get louder as speed increases. A way to isolate which side the bearing is on is to shift the weight of the car from one side to the other. (usually doing some oh s*it lane changes ). Taking the weight off the wheel with the bad bearing should cause the sound to diminish significantly.

Chris

 

HAHAHAA.. YOU GOT A HUMMER IN YOUR CAR!!!!!!! PU HAHAHAHAH

 

Now it sounds like I'm dragging a chain, even at low speeds. And I finally got it to change when I shift weight from side to side. It also sounded like the right rear caliper was sticking when I was backing up. All this happened when it was 15 degrees out, so the cold may have had something to do with it. Whatever it is I'm making an appointment Monday morning.

 

My problem is I hear a terrible screeching (no hum) from my right rear wheel.

Also sound like a wheel bearing problem?

 

I had screeching (or scraping) in reverse. Going forward it sounded like a small chain was dragging, intermittantly. Turned out to be the rear brakes.

I still have a hum between 40-60mph, but since it hasn't changed all winter I think it's the tires. I'll be putting my summer tires on in a few weeks and that should help pinpoint the problem.