98 accord ex 4 cyl - loud noises from bottom of car help!!
 

Hi long time lurker

Here is my problem...

1998 Honda Accord 4 cyl FrontWD Automatic 149000 miles

I hear a noise when I drive car. I believe its from the bottom middle of the car where the cat. cover is??? I checked the cat cover and didnt see any punctures or tears..

It doesnt make any noise when I am idle. Just when i hit 20 mph i hear a loud rumbling noise. It does not affect driving at all but it just bugs me enough because I can hear it and plus I have to crank my radio up loud.

Someone on another board suggested bearing and hub assembly/axle problems.

Anyone encounter this problem?

RE: 98 accord ex 4 cyl - loud noises from bottom of car help!!
 

The heat shield would be my first guess. Check where the bolts secure the shield to the cat. Mine was rusted and had a fine crack that was causing a rattle at certain RPMs.

RE: 98 accord ex 4 cyl - loud noises from bottom of car help!!
 

Exhaust heat shield usually makes a tinny rattling noise. You called it a rumbling noise. Like an exhaust LEAK?

Wheel bearings can sometimes be checked by lifting the car & spinning the wheels, but that doesnt always produce the noise (no load on the bearing).

Put someone in the back seat to listen. Sometimes noises travel around the interior in very funny ways.

RE: 98 accord ex 4 cyl - loud noises from bottom of car help!!
 

x2 on the heat shield. Then I'd check the exhaust system isn't hitting anything. If neither of these is the problem, I'd suspect the inner B-pipe.

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