I've got a new noise that happens only after warmup. I haven't noticed it when I start up and drive to/from work, about 9 mostly highway miles. However, after some period of time, a once-per-rev rubbing sound occurs. It seems to be from the left rear and changes character only when loading the drivetrain. That is, it makes the most noise when unloaded, as when coasting. Add or subtract gas and the sound gets much softer. At very low speed, as when just above being stopped, the sound is most noticeable and sounds to me more like rubber on metal than metal on metal (I recently had a noise that turned out to be the brake dust shield being bent and lightly touching the rotor).

Applying brakes or steering doesn't seem to make any difference. The noise happens when turning in either direction. I'm going to jack the car up tomorrow and remove the tires for a better look to see if i can find evidence of rubbing. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

.... retorque the rear axle nut on that side.

 

hmmm... How would that cause a rubbing sound? Seems I would get a click or clunk as the wheel shifted relative to the axle.

I'll check...

 

yeah, I hear ya ...... not intuitive for sure but I've done it twice now and it worked for me both time

 

I think that's a sign of something going bad...like a wheel bearing?

 

Possibly. Wheel bearings that have gone bad on me in the past created a growling sound as the rough bearings circulated on a rough race. This is not as consistent as what I've experienced so far...

 

RT, does the noise correlate with what you've heard?

 

Welp, just jacked it up and looked for obvious rubbing - none to be seen. It really sounds like rubber flexing against metal but I couldn't make the CV joint boots move. The inner CV joints were replaced 5-6k miles ago - I assume that would have been enough to trigger the torquing to 220 lb-ft, would'nt ya think?

Looks like I'll have to get the dealer to look at it unless I get more ideas. I can't retorque the nuts since i don't have either the socket or a torque wrench that goes that high. Damn...

 

Yeah, it doesn't sound like the typical bearing noise in that it's very obviously a once per wheel RPM noise vs. a constant bearing type noise.
Rubbing it exactly what it sounds like.

 

I have this exact same problem, so I dropped my car at the dealer this morning. Hopefully they've found the problem and fixed it. I'll let you know what they find.