Need help figuring out cause of loud noise while car is moving

emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
OK guys, here's my first official post here on this site. For a while I've had this noise that gets louder as speed increases (neutral or in gear, makes no difference). It sounds like something is rubbing against something else. I've had the noise for about 2 years and it's been driving me INSANE.

What I have replaced, although I would not be surprised if any of the parts were faulty:
CV half shafts, both sides (one was split and the other, eh, was under warranty anyways, so free swap :D)
tie rod ends, both sides
brake pads (needed anyways)
wheel bearing (driver side) made no difference in noise or feel

My alignment seems alright, although it may need some adjustment, tires lasted 15K longer than expected warranty and still showing even wear

I do plan on replacing all the lower ball joints, just because the rubber boot is shot on both. When paychecks allow me to, I also plan to replace the upper, and the sway bar bushings. Basically gonna have a new front end suspension :D By the way, I tried using a ball joint remover tool (also a loaner) plus the Honda specialty fittings, and I couldn't get the :evil: thing out! I didn't see any C-clips holding it in place and it is factory.

I did the bouncy test for all four struts, single bounce returned right away to proper height and the 3 bounce leveled off right away. So, I'm thinking that the new struts sitting in my shed can go back to the parts store, eh? Although the ones that are on there were installed in late 94 when the car was assembled.....

How does one know if the coil springs are worn down too much? I tried to insert the spring compressor (loaner at O Reilly's) on the spring to compress but it wouldn't fit, smacked my finger in the process, and put the car back together.

I'm trying to get my ride back to being quiet and bringing the mileage back up to 35mpg city (currently 26-28) it so I can go back to finishing my diesel build for my pickup (40+mpg Build Thread)

History, since this is my first post: my civic pics
I've had this car for about 4 years now, I am the second owner of it, and it's always been owned within the family (meaning all service records and receipts are in the glove box. not that many for a 16 year old car :D) Head gasket blew at 89K miles, new radiator installed at 90K, gasket switched at 95K (when finally identified as head gasket), currently at 136K with small oil leak around valve cover. New timing belt at 130K (what a PITA!!!) Dreading clutch, hoping it'll hold up until I am ready to do my Integra 1.8 DOHC swap (although I may save that for a 91 CRX, undecided ATM)
 

emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
shameless bump....
 


31dev31

Chillin' Canadian Member
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
Check your brake disc dust shield.
 

2NRSTV

Team Exile/ADO Garage
Registered VIP
Yeah, also, check to see if splash guard is rubbing.
 


emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
Well, I did some work on the civic last night. I have new coil springs and struts in the front, and I got one of my bad ball joints pressed in and ready to go. Both were shot and definitely a better ride now. The noise is still present though. I checked and I do not have a dust shield or splash guard rubbing. I am left with the only options that either my wheels are too out of round or the alignment is screwed somehow (and not showing up on the tires???)
 

Gre8one7

New Member
5+ Year Member
cheap tires or maybe a broken cord in the tire...but it sounds like a wheel bearing still to me. Take it out on the road at about 50 mph, swerve left(sound better or worse?)...then swerve right(sound better or worse?) If when you swerve left it gets worse its your right wheel bearing and vise versa
 

emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
I'm going to try that test tonight, but I still don't know if it is the bearing or not. Reason I believe this is that it has been a problem for over 2 years, hasn't gotten too much worse or better, and I've driven a lot of miles on it as well, over 40K on the noise. I have noticed though, the noise does seem to be a lot quieter on right turns, not swerving but just on the sharper turns on the interstate. That would indicate driver bearing, but that one is new(ish)
 

emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
I got some videos tonight that show the noise. I'm going to get the car aligned once the new ball joints are completely installed, I know that it needs it because the ride height changed after I installed the new springs (lowering springs were cheaper to find than stock height ones, WTF! I do like the look better though) There also seems to be that annoying sound bad CV axles make during turns as well, I have no idea what that could be, both axles have been on the vehicle for less than 3 months (one less than 1 month) and made NO difference.

I'm not too convinced on bearing as of yet. When I swapped the driver side one out last year, there was no change in the noise at all. Both rotate with minimal resistance and smoothly as well. Of course, if someone recognizes that noise as being a worn bearing or two, then I'll take a different approach on the repairs (bearings here run me approx 60 each and I don't have free access to a press anymore :( )

Sorry for crappy quality, phone/camera was charging

Here's one with the camera standing like it should.


and one of me going up to 90mph on my way home (gauge is accurate, just ask the cops in VA :evil: )
 

RonJ

Banned
Where exactly is the noise coming from? Do you hear the noise if the engine is off with the car rolling in neutral?

Videos:
-Tire out of round?
-Tire rubbing?

After driving, if you touch the right and left wheels with your hand, is one much hotter than the other?
 
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emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
yes, and I can't isolate the noise either. It is coming from the front, it is rotational, engine on/off, in/out gear, doesn't make a difference. As it gets faster it gets louder.
 

RonJ

Banned
yes, and I can't isolate the noise either. It is coming from the front, it is rotational, engine on/off, in/out gear, doesn't make a difference. As it gets faster it gets louder.

After driving, if you touch the right and left wheels with your hand, is one much hotter than the other?
 

emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
I haven't tried this yet. Both are hot from braking though, but my area is a lot of go and STOP!!! Are you hinting at worn/sticking calipers or an alignment?
 

RonJ

Banned
If you don't feel vibration with braking, then I am considering a bad wheel bearing. Take a highway drive where there's little braking and then pull over and touch the wheels. If one (such as the passenger wheel) is much hotter than the other, then you may have found the problem.
 

Gre8one7

New Member
5+ Year Member
its a left wheel bearing...have one done when you get the ball joints put in.

oh and i am a honda mechanic btw. From what i heard from the video it sounded like it got louder when turning right. When you turn right it is putting weight on that left side and in turn it will get louder. Only other time a whirring noise like that is if the tires are chopped badly, which all you have to do is run your hand on the tires and it will feel bumpy(usually on the inside edge)
 

Gre8one7

New Member
5+ Year Member
lol, im sure my civic project would have sound just like that if it had a motor in it a few weeks ago. And you would be surprised how many people have horribly bad wheel bearings and they dont hear anything wrong
 

emjay

mazdatruckin.com moderato
The video didn't capture it very well, but in fact it makes the least amount of noise on right turns. straight or left it is the same. would that point to the right wheel bearing? I may go ahead and switch them both out anyways, just to have a completely new suspension minus an inch of ride height. Thanks for confirming what I was afraid of (and denying)
 

RonJ

Banned
Feel the heat of the wheels after driving. Otherwise, you will be replacing parts at random. Never concede that your car is smarter than you are.
 

Gre8one7

New Member
5+ Year Member
when you turn/ swerve and the sound goes softer then its the opposite side. i.e. when turning left its louder its the right wheel bearing.

If your ball joints werent bad i would say lift the front end off the ground and put your hands at the 12 and 6 position of the wheel and shake. Usually if the bearing is bad it will move quite a bit.
 


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