A problem has developed in my 1998 prelude, and it intrigues me.

A few days ago, I noticed an ambient high pitched humming, almost the same sound you might hear after listening to very loud music for several hours, then receeding to a quite place. I didn't think much of it, because these noises can typically come from the pavment you're driving on.

Later that day, I noticed the sound remained (regardless of what pavement I was on), and that it increased in amplilude and pitch at higher speeds. THe sounds seemed to "kick in" at 30mph and 60mph.

Seems to be somewhat of a harmonic thing. Any clues?

 

You tires need to be balanced

 

You might think so! And I did too! But I figured this is not the case

Today it got alot worse, and now the sound is louder at all speeds, and there's a low humming/vibration along with the ambient tone. It's hard to tell, but I'm pretty sure it's originating from the rear right tire.

After looking at it, I conluded that the tire/wheel might be off balance because of the snow and dirt collecting on it. So I got a car wash - didn't help at all.

I went to my friends house today, and we popped off the rear right wheel, and ended up scraping off almost half a pound of dirt from the inside of the wheel! You see, I live on a dirt road.

 

Well, did that help?

 

Actually, no it didn't. I was sure that was it, because the dirt had clumped at odd spots, making the wheel relativly unbalanced. After a quick drive, we noticed no change at all.

So eric and I retured to his house, jacked it up, slapped the spare tire on there and went off again. The noise remained.

It seems its not coming from the tire.

So we took the car back, jacked it up, and spun the wheel as fast as we could in place... and we noticed a potential problem. Every time the wheel goes around, at one specific place, it scrapes something - making noise and slowing it down a bit. I beleive that the rotor is sliding against the brake pad.

Could this be the problem? That scraping I described is very subtle, but I could see this causing the hum/noise.

Also, what's causing it? It happens with the spare and the real wheel, so I think the rotor must be bent or somthing. Wierd. Any suggestions?

 

Why are you replying to yourself.

 

No, that wasn't it either. Anybody else know?

 

are you okay??? your left hand types the question and your right hand answers??

 

haha

 

The results are in - it was the wheel bearing. Just a heads up for anybody with a similar noise.