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

[emjay]

Well, I did the feel the wheel test a few times today. Both wheels seemed to be about the same temp. Trip #1, 2 and 3 were 2 miles each, barely luke warm, probably not an effective distance. #4 and #5 were longer distances, none were hot to the touch. #4 was about 15 miles and #5 was about 12 miles. I'm going to try to get a longer distance drive in tomorrow to do the test again.

 

[RonJ]

Well, I did the feel the wheel test a few times today. Both wheels seemed to be about the same temp. Trip #1, 2 and 3 were 2 miles each, barely luke warm, probably not an effective distance. #4 and #5 were longer distances, none were hot to the touch. #4 was about 15 miles and #5 was about 12 miles. I'm going to try to get a longer distance drive in tomorrow to do the test again.

Hmmm...with the front end on stands and the transmission in neutral, do you hear any noise from the front wheels when you turn them? Any wheel free play?

Is the noise possibly coming from a rear wheel? Test those for heat, noise, and free play as well.

If the clutch pedal is pushed down, does the noise go away?

 

[emjay]

front end on jack stands in neutral, turn the wheels, it's quiet. I can't say that there's any free play on the driver side, passenger side is still awaiting new lower ball joint. and man you are fast.
rear, I highly doubt that it's coming from there. I'm also starting to think that it's louder on the driver side as well, but since no one that i know drives a stick, I can't really find out either.....
I'll do the wheel feel test on the rear tomorrow. I'm going to take the longer route to work for the test.

 

[reg_lus]

it might be from somewhere that is going out..
same problem with my brother's miata car..it was his rear differential that was going out...same exact problem but just that his is a back wheel drive. so i dont really know..so he replaced it and the noise was gone.. just giving some info so you know...but it's best if you take it to the shop and have them check it.

 

[2NRSTV]

You could try putting the car on jack stands and running the car in gear. That is, if you don't have access to a dyno where you can have the suspension loaded and there's no danger of the car falling.

 

[emjay]

Ok, well an injury to the wrist has prevented me from lifting the car up onto jack stands. However I did another wheel feel test today, about 35 miles down the interstate speeds ranging between 50-85mph. All 4 wheels were barely warm, I could hold my hand on each wheel for over 10 seconds and not get burned AT ALL, all about the same temp, WTF?????

 

[kimnnorm2000]

I have the same exact problem in my 2001 Civic EX, noticed it right after putting on brand new tires. Figured it was the tires. Now noise is getting louder. Particularly, when I turn right. Calipers good, brake pads good, rotors good, tires look good (it's been about a year) with no uneven wear on the treads. I'm thinking it might be the CV joint? Or the wheel bearings? However, I did the wheel bearing test and they appear to be good....NEED HELP!

 

[emjay]

Well I figured that I would put a reply to this thread. You guys were right, I finally got a chance to replace the wheel bearing on the passenger side, the ball joint was still good. Turns out that the wheel bearing was bad. Again I couldn't feel the difference between driver side and passenger side with the tires on, and both spun easily. But anyways, bearing switched out, new one press fit in (new investment ) reinstalled, and it drives a lot quieter and accelerates faster with less effort. it's like a new car again Also, the axle pop sound that I was hearing on turns at higher speeds has disappeared, and I was trying all that I could to recreate the noise. It's funny how 3 different Honda dealerships and certified mechanics tried to solve the problem (before I inherited the car) and all the guys at the local tire shop and all pointed at the axle.