So i test drove a hatch today and i noticed when i drove it that there was some noise coming from the right rear side of the, specifically around the wheels, as i accelerate the noise seems to sound faster, the noise sounds like a helicopter noise "chu chu chu chu", anyone has any idea would it could possibly be?

 

Maybe the bearing? Could be, and if so, unless you have a press it can be pretty costly.

-Shane

 

Possibly a cupped tire as well. When the tire wear is excessive due to bad alignment or really cheap tires, they get pretty noisy like that. I had the same problem, thought it was a wheel bearing - replaced the tires with come good BFG Traction T/A's and the problem was gone. I'm going to suggest rotating the tires to se if the noise changes location.

 

I was going to say it could be the tires, but that is usually more of a "humming" noise. Could be anyway. Good suggestion in any event.

-Shane

 

My old tires were very wobbly on the rim, they were offset. Half the tire would hit the road at one angle, the other on a different angle. It made a loud noise similar to the one that he's describing... would hear it around 50kph or so and up.

 

this happened to me when i got my 94 hatch. and a couple of days later it went away. maybe because i switched tires. but i was wondering what it was and when i stopped and checked it my tires were pretty weared out. but it went away. i think you may want to try changing the tires and then test it again. couls just be odd tire wear. TG

 

If you're serious about buying the car, take the wheel off and really inspect the wheel and tire. Roll it around freely and see if it wobbles around. Then you would at least be able to rule it out if it acted fine and you'd probably be looking at a bearing or possible suspension problem.

 

any idea how much the bearing would be? just wanna know what worst case scenario would be and how much it would cost me.

 

I replaced the rear wheel bearing on my 92 CX hatch for about $100 bucks. It was a pretty simple job no special tools needed.The wheel bearing and hub are one piece comes with new studs and all.

 

For the front bearings, they are not quite as easy for the DIY mechanic if you don't have access to a press. It'll cost you labor... but you could take the knuckles out yourself and bring them to a shop with a press with the new bearing. That'll save you some money.

 

Take the rear tire off and check the brakes then switch the rear tires around and see if its still doing it. If it is and the brakes check out its probably a wheel bearing. I seen someone said you can have them pressed out but I thought you had to buy a new hub or something????because they were sealed or someshit??

 

You know it mught be water in the tire. i just replaced mine, and like said i had that same problem and there was water in there. Hott dang right? Well not at all.
Or someting like that
TG

 

Drums or disks? I had a problem about a month ago where the shoes would rub occasionally inside the drum and make that speed-variable sound. It only was noticeable under like 20mph though. Can check that simple enough by jacking up the rear end, pulling the tire, releasing the ebrake and spinning the drum by hand and listening/feeling for any drag.

 

i bet the tire is a pos or it was flat spotted.
my friend flat spoted his tire it made the same sounds.