I'm getting a fairly loud droning noise when driving my car. Theres no sound at all when the car is stopped, but as it picks up speed the volume slowly increases. It doesn't seem to vary with engine rpm or load, or when turning left or right. I imagine its a bad bearing somewhere, anyone know which one it could be?

 

If not bearings;

Driveshaft?
Worn differential?


(Just some ideas)

 

What is it tied to? If you change gears, does it change? If you're rolling down the road in neutral, is it still there?

Also, how many miles are on the car? If there's a vibration associated with it, it's probably the U-joints in the driveshaft getting old.

-=Russ=-

 

A bearing in the rear hub, I'm guessing. I did a swap to 5-lug, and the ones I swapped in had bad bearings. It droned louder than the exhaust, or any other noise.

Jack your car up in the rear, and grab the top of the tire. Push in and out, and see if there's any play in it (there should be none). If your bearings are bad, there should be play in it. I think. Can anyone else confirm that what I'm stating is correct?

 

changing gears, leaving it in neutral, the noise doesn't change at all. Its not a real vibration either, just a noise, so I'm guessing its not the driveshaft.

Theres a little bit of play when I pull on the rear wheel, but both sides are the same, so I assumed it was normal. Should there be no play at all?

 

^

 

your real diff is shot. your rear end has probably run too low on oil and warped the bearings. i had the same problem, swapped in a different rear-end and voila, noise go buh-bye.


hth

holla

 

Do you know a way of checking for sure if its the diff? I actually have a spare lying around, but I'd rather not swap it if I don't have to.

And if anyone's had a rear axel fail, what does it sound like?

 

Thread Resurrection.

I'm currently trying to troubleshoot a noise I have on my 88 GXL(mostly stock)
symptoms are a non metallic noise that is speed, not rpm, dependent. It is coming from the rear passenger side wheel. It developed as I was coming home from the Mazfest track day. It has so far not created any drivability issues. I would say it sounds like when you buy new tires and the sticker is still on the tire. It makes nearly the same noise except the sound is only present from 55 mph or more. I used the search using keywords hub rear noise and this looked like the most promising thread. If the previous authors would chime in on this or a veteran could clarify this it would be a big help.