ian1006

Hey guys, I have a super annoying noise that I would like some ideas on.
Car:
98 Honda CRV 4WD A/T
Symptoms:
While driving but most noticeable when coasting to a stop (30mph to a stop) my car makes almost a low chirping noise or a whirring type noise coming from what seems like the firewall/floorboard area on the passenger side. Doesnt seem to get louder or more frequent really when I accelerate. It does not do it while stopped and after I get above 40 either road noise drowns it out or it goes away.
I have checked:
I thought it was the fan chirping on and off again but whether the fan is full blast or not it makes the noise (recirc or not), I have regreased my driveshaft (replaced ujoints with greasable ones), power steering is full but dirty (going to replace this but when driving straight and coasting I couldnt see this making the noise), AC is off, transmission fluid is full and pink, rear diff has been serviced twice. If I turn very hard, not just a light turn but pretty extreme angle when driving slow it goes away for a second. All maintenance is up to date on it and it has a K&N drop in (just trying to list everything that might help)
I really am out of ideas at this point, I was thinking about tearing around under the passenger side area today since I am on spring break and having my wife drive while I try to pin point the noise but do you guys have any ideas? Does the steering rack have bushings? etc etc any help would be appreciated.

ian1006

Update: Had my wife drive it around as I looked for the noise, not coming from the passenger side after all, definitely coming from the driver side floor board and firewall intersection if that makes sense. I grabbed the steering rack and tried to move it around to see if it needed bushings and no wobble. Fluid is pretty black so I am wondering if it is possible that the dirty (probably unknown brand/type fluid) and the steering rack and pump noises are coming through the steering shaft into the cabin and making the noise. I also found a 3/8 hole in a firewall plug that looks like it used to go to a remote start setup or alarm, I found a hood pin as well that is unplugged so that is probably a likely scenario. Possibility of engine and road noise coming through that plug seems small to me however.

Jjbaehr

Sounds like your rotors may be warped and the slide pins are squeaking when the high spot on the rotor comes around. My hatch used to do the same type of noise, the fix was to replace the rotors and grease the slide pins well.

ian1006

Hmmm that's interesting, my rotors did recently get warped. I'll grease the pins and do the brake job then.
The only thing though is with the windows down I don't hear anything...

ian1006

Bought honda power steering fluid, we will see if this makes a difference and I'll grease the slide pins

ian1006

Reviving my old thread.
I have changed my rotors, pads, greased and cleaned slide pins, cleaned it all up etc. Noise is still there.
Changed power steering fluid completely with Honda fluid, still there.

It is a low whirring, almost chirp like noise. Only notice it from about 10mph and then it fades away with other wind noise or is just gone period not sure. Coasting from 30-10 is when its the loudest but if I turn rather sharply the noise goes away completely even though the speed is essentially the same. Cant hear it with the window down actually, only hear it with the windows up. Fan position, AC, recirc, etc makes no difference to the noise.
My only other thought it possible wheel bearing starting to go out and it is vibrating or resonating through the vehicle, then when lateral load is placed on it by turning it goes away...not sure but Ill check them out soon. Gimme some other things to look for while I have it on the lift!

noname87

alternator is located down on the driver's side. i replaced mine recently because of a dry bearing. maybe take that belt loose and see if it still does it. my buddies 97 crv he just picked up does the same thing

ian1006

Awesome, I will check that today, thanks for that suggestion. Really helps to get ideas when I'm out of them, thanks again

HondaPartsHero

Can you post a vid of the noise

jayjazmin

By any chance.. Does the sound your car make sound like mine? I had a thread on it.. Sorry I'm on my phone and i only have the link to mobile..

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3169029

ian1006

No doesn't sound like that. I'll try to get a video of the noise, it's not super loud so I hope I can pick it up.

ian1006

Ok, I managed to get two short videos on my iphone, one you can hear it a little better than the other. I hear it primarily when slowing down or coasting. I am thinking it could be a bearing on something...doesnt sound like a wheel bearing to me...thinking some kind of accessory bearing maybe? Or power steering pump?
This one isnt as good as the other:

I think you can hear it better on this one:

Might need to turn your volume up high, its quiet, but man is it annoying me!

ian1006

I'm thinking it could be a belt issue possibly, I would hope the timing belt is making noise...hmmm thoughts or input?

ian1006

I tightened the power steering belt and checked the other belts and they are tight but the power steering belt is maxed out to make it tight so I'm guessing it's a stretched power steering belt making the noise as the noise is now louder after tightening the belt.
Unfortunately I have been super busy and going on a big road trip tomorrow morning leaves me no time to buy a belt and put it on. I might pick one up on the road and see if I can slip it on when we stop for the night.

ian1006

Drove 11 hours straight and with only a small lunch and a gas break and the noise is gone now...we will see if it comes back. Averaging 22-25 mpg with mountain passes and ac on so I'm happy about that!

HondaPartsHero

Can you jack it up and duplicate the noise to pinpoint it?

ian1006

I am back from a 1500 mile road trip...it disappeared when I was half way for a few hundred miles but is back now. Could it be a dry axle? I'll try to get it on the lift again this coming week but don't know if it will repeatable.

ian1006

The noise was still there and getting louder and louder and making me even more annoyed. After a long afternoon of checking everything I pulled the driveshaft, center bearing is gone and now since it's removed no more noise. Yay I found it but boo because I am buying a new driveshaft. I know it's replaceable but for the time, effort, etc I'm buying new. I already did Rockford u joints last year and just want to be done with it. I figure by the time I buy boots, grease, pay a shop to press and repress and possibly balance I'm saving 75 bucks...far easier to order new. So there you go, the center bearing can sound like it's coming from the front and drive someone near mad haha

zrxdarryl

I had a similar noise that was driving me nuts on the front driver's side- decided to take a look at the brake components and/or wheel bearing - shitty pads, and found the slightly-bent-out-of-shape backing plate to be rubbing against the inside edge of the rotor.
Bent that **** to give some clearance Clarence, installed new rotor (old one grooved from shitty pads) and noise is gone, for now anyway.

ian1006

Yeh I did brakes too but needed them