Why is car making droning noises at 60km+

[jaffa_cree]

I got a 1994 Civic Auto, complete stocker.
Just recently it has been making a very noticeable droning noise when i exceed 60km+. While idling or travelling below 50km it still drones but not as loud

What could be making it drone while travelling 60+ ?

[heist]

wheelhub bearing maybe....maybe gearbox, i have the same problem, i have changed every single thing it could be besides gearbox...so its my gearbox

[BLKek]

Could be, just a guess, at that speed there's enough air pressure that is pulling a loose panel (like an inner guard) down onto something, is there any decrease in power etc?

I had a problem with my EK making a high pitched whine over 100km/hr, turned out to be the rubber strip around the windscreen had been pulled loose when they buffed the car and was vibrating fast in the wind pressure, Honda refitted the strip and voila, noise gone, simple....

[T.R.D]

could be CV joint there are an inner and an outer on both sides of the drive shaft, a worn cv can make a drone/vibratingtry noise.try putting the car up on blocks or on a jack (this can be dodgy/dangerous), and take it up to 60+, this will take away the possiblitiy of it being wind noise, and you may be able to pin point which side it is coming from.

[**Ghost**]

i've had the same problem as well... it sounds like ur car is a windtunnel or something... then i found it out it was due to my hood not closed properly due to a bothced DIY install of a new grill.... basically made my engine bay a big wind tunnel

[jaffa_cree]

wheelhub bearing maybe....maybe gearbox, i have the same problem, i have changed every single thing it could be besides gearbox...so its my gearbox

if it is the g/box, will it caused any damage to the car

[jaffa_cree]

i've had the same problem as well... it sounds like ur car is a windtunnel or something... then i found it out it was due to my hood not closed properly due to a bothced DIY install of a new grill.... basically made my engine bay a big wind tunnel

now that you mention it, it does sound sort like a wind tunnel, but the noise is coming from the rear

any more ideas on what to check?

i am going to try stick it in neutral while travelling 60km+ to see if its a g/box issue

[**Ghost**]

i really doubt its a gear box issue man... how could ur gearbox make a "droning" noise? if its a "hollow" sound it means it has to be made by some big cavity...

[SIKCVC]

If its a sort of shuddering noise too... as in, not constant (high and low pitch like a sine wave) then its probably a bearing. I had mine replaced and they died again... stupid axel tramp.

[BLKek]

And gearboxes are in the front man.... hehe

[jaffa_cree]

If its a sort of shuddering noise too... as in, not constant (high and low pitch like a sine wave) then its probably a bearing. I had mine replaced and they died again... stupid axel tramp.

its a constant deep noise, similar to have an exhaust system

the only thing i remember changing was a putting on the spare tyre because the front left got punctured.

Is it possible that the new tyre caused this, the tread on it is fairly new in comparison to the other 3 tyres.

[Vivski]

Hmm, allignment?

The new tyre shouldn't make too much of a difference.

I'd check your tyre pressures too. The new one could be significantly higher pressure than the others if you haven't checked since it was put on.

[Vivski]

Still, a "drone" sounds less allignment, less tyres, etc than a wind or maybe bearing related noise.

Have you tried taking a passenger in the back to try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from?

[jaffa_cree]

tyre pressure for all is at 32psi
just went for a quick drive with a passenger at the front and rear.

the droning noise appears right away when you start driving.
it is noticeable at about 30km and gets loud and annoying at 50km+

putting gear into neutral while moving doesnt do anthing, the drone is still apparent so shouldnt be a gear box issue.

Thing to note. while at 50km+, once i take the foot off the acelerator or put into neutral and let the car roll, engine noise drops and the drone because more apparent, definitely from the rear near the boot region.

With car in park, i rev'ed up to 5k and held it there and the exhaust sounded fine. Bear in mind this is a stock exhaust and this noise was never there a month back.

EDIT. the wheel alignment looks very good, doesnt seem to be off

[Vivski]

What's the test for a bearing problem? I vaguely remember a mechanic saying go for a short drive and put your fingers on the middle of the wheel. If it's hotter on one side than the other then it would suggest excessive friction aka a bearing problem.

Not sure how accurate it is, but someone will no doubt correct me if it's wrong.


NOTE: If it's getting worse, I'd be very careful.

[**Ghost**]

it really depends on the noise man... is it a mechanical/shuddering/metal noise or is it more a windtunnel/wind on ship sails flapping noise

[jaffa_cree]

it really depends on the noise man... is it a mechanical/shuddering/metal noise or is it more a windtunnel/wind on ship sails flapping noise

it doesnt sound like a metal shuddering clipping tapping racket noise, its more like a deep hollow constant noise. It can be interpreted as a windtunnel noise, like travelling down a tunnel with you windows opened.

if it is indeed a wheel bearing issue, is there a safety issue?

[tegstar83]

stupid axel tramp.

Whats axel tranmp?? :confused:

[BLKek]

Slight buckle in rim perhaps, or directional tyre fitted backwards?

[**Ghost**]

id oubt buckles would make a "wind" noise... more like a "bump" noise

[BLKek]

id oubt buckles would make a "wind" noise... more like a "bump" noise

They make a wuring noise, like fat 4WD tyres do....

[hainpham]

definately wheel bearing noise....i had that trouble wif my old eg.....replaced it and it was quiet as a mouse....