Hey guys,

So the back left of the car is making a weird huming noise, it gets louder as the car accelerates, pretty annoying when I'm on the highway. Now I'm thinking its either the wheel bearing or maybe a seized caliper... Any way to confirm it is the wheel bearing?

Thanks

 

It sounds like your towing a helicopter, and will get louder when u turn one way and put a load on it and get quieter when you turn the other way

 

Hmm I don't know if I'd go as far as saying it sounds like I'm towing a helicopter...But I do think it's the wheel bearing. If not, any other ideas?

 

The first time both rear wheel bearings went out on me, it sounded like a constant grinding noise when I accelerated from a stop. It would either stop or get louder depending upon which way I was cornering. Both went bad within a month of each other.

I've since had one of the replacement bearings in the rear go bad after only 25k miles on it. The symptom that time was different, more of a hum and not a grind. So, I think this is the most likely culprit for your symptoms.

 

Yeah I think so also, thanks for the input.

 

Jack the car up and see if the rear wheels have any play

 

^^Yeah that's one way to tell although sometimes on these cars the bearings don't show play. But most likely it's the bearing from what it sounds like.

 

It's quite simple, if you can't jack the car (on these beautiful winterly days! XD).

Go on the highway and turn left/ or right depending on which bearing could be due. If the humming goes away then you do in fact have a wheel bearing issue. If the sound is constant, even when turning side to side, then you have another problem.

I've had bearing problems before, fixed it and the humming came back. Although, the second time it was my rear tires that were due to be changed and not the bearings.. remember that! XD