Need some help..... I just started hearing a loud high pitched noise from my left rear tire area.... only happens after I've been driving at a high speed (65mph+) for a long period of time. (30 minutes or more) It will continue until I slow down for a while, then the noise will go away. Won't come back until Im up at speed again. I've only heard it twice but it was really loud on the highway. Since I dont regularly drive it on the highway I cant hear it very often. So, I checked the rear diff. fluid - all is well there.... has been replaced as recommended. (and yes... with mobil 1 GL-5)

So - any other suggestions on what it could be? I didnt drive it today since I want to find out whats going on with it first.

All I know is - any sound like this one can never be good!!!!! lol Oh well.... Sh1te happens! Any help is appreciated.

 

Could be the axle nut issue. I know that a lot of the group has had to fix that.

 

Possibly a howling bearing.

 

A slightly under torgued axel nut makes a clicking noise when starting from a stop. If it's been loose for a while, your wheel bearing could be about to die.

If you re-torque your axle nut, here's the current specs
old xviper post
Here's a post from our neighborhood on the topic
Here's a way to 'test' for a failing wheel bearing: feel how hot the hub is

It's any easy fix to torque the nut down, but if your bearing is failing, re-torquing won't fix that. You might want check out the condition of the wheel bearing - I recommend a dealer for the job unless you have a bearing press.

The other idea that it's due to your rear diff seems unlikely if you checked your fluid and it was full. Just the same, if you're planning changing it, check for bits of metal in the fluid.

 

Billman250 is the s2ki expert on the axle nut topic...
see post 1 - here's a pic of bad bearings in the same post bad wheel bearings - read the whole thread, there's a lot of good detail there.

The most disturbing thing about your post is that the noise is loudest at speed... but since you describe the sound as coming from a wheel, the bearing is the first thing I'd look into. Does the noise happen when you're breaking? Have you considered checking the break pads for excessive wear? maybe it's just the 'squeal indicator'

 

What condition are your brakes in? Could it be that your pads are worn and at high speeds, your wear indicator is rubbing

 

I dont think its my brakes - last check (about 2 months ago) they were in good shape. Would the wear indicator make a sound even if the brakes dont squeal at all when Im braking or at lower speeds? Not even a peep..... however, it does change pitch to a little higher pitch when I apply the brakes...... I suppose I'll take off the wheel tonight and check out the brakes so I can eliminate or confirm that suggestion.

 

Does not appear to be a diff issue. Without seeing/riding... it's really hard to tell

 

Hmm... ya know... im really beginning to think it could be the Bearing. Now that I think of it, it started out as a clicking whenever I'd start out driving. (mostly in reverse when I just released the clutch) it sounded like a light click and then would go away. I didnt notice any noise for a while until this noise started - which could be the bearing going bad due to the original loose axel nut? Would it make sense that the reason I dont hear it until I drive for a while is due to the grease getting warm the more I drive it so its harder to keep it lubricated?


Thanks guys for all your help - I'll be checking it out soon and I'll let you all know what it turns out to be. Please keep the suggestions coming if you have any though.

 

Hey Guys - Thanks for your help on this - I told you I'd let you know what it was. And Sure enough it was The Axle Nuts fault. It was loose, caused my bearing to go bad, which I guess had been going bad for a while before I even heard the noise because it stripped my axle where the axle nut is. What im guessing is it stripped because of the wobbling due to the bad bearing. So, long story short, had to replace the bearing & axle there. Only took about 4 1/2 hours not including the time the Honda Dealership pressed our new bearing.

Morals of the story:
A: Check those Axle Nuts!
B: Don't ignore even the slightest of sounds.
C: Drink Beer.