'91 Accord. Low-pitched growl audible above ~40 mph; sounds like truck mud tires on asphalt.

No change in steering angle or dynamics, or braking, or engine rpm will affect the noise (same at 45 mph, whether in 4th gear or fifth). Came on suddenly; just Monday.

Noise is only related to road speed.

New calipers and pads two weeks ago; car lowered 2-1/2" about 6 weeks ago. Tires are a couple months old; pressure is normal.

I'm guessing R&P or inner CV joints. I have a new set of axles; will replace this weekend.

Any other thoughts?

Forrest

 

wheel bearings

 

Find and open parking lot. See if the noise changes pitch or disappears when you steer towards the left or the right.

 

Great - made it through the week.

I'm convinced it's the wheel bearing; picked them up today, and I have a set of new axles to put in as well. So - it's all apart, except the outboard race of the front wheel bearings - I was able to press off the main bearing cassette.

How do I get it out? The Honda shop manual shows a puller, fine, but the race fits so tightly against the hub shoulder there's nothing to fit even a sharp-edged puller foot under it.

Should I just grind a slot with an angle grinder and expand it off?

Forrest

 

Was able to grind a diagonal slot in the outboard inner race without damaging the hub too much, then split it off -



Forrest

 

Got it all back together - new rotors, wheel bearings, and drive axles. No noises!

Forrest

 

Wasn't easy, tho -

Passenger side axle nut wouldn't come off with 5' cheater bar and a 3/4" drive 36mm socket, Decided since I was replacing the wheel bearings and axle, just to chisel it off, paring it away.

Then, once I got the upright off, the whole bearing cassette wouldn't come off the hub, even with my 20 ton press - the relief valve would just squeal.

I cut it entirely in half with an abrasive wheel in the side grinder - a mess!

Forrest