Ok, I give up.

94 Civic Ex with standard size wheels, abs (that apparently isn't working) and a new driver side drive shaft (about 3 months old).

So, I get this "Whomp.........whomp.....whomp...whomp...whomp.who mpwhomp" noise as I drive along. It gets progressively louder as I speed up and is not affected by brakes to my knowledge. There is a small metallic sounding grinding noise that I'm just barely able to detect also (from same area).

I've tried a different tire, checked the rotor and pads, put car in neutral. WTF mate? If it's just the drive shaft then I would be very happy, but I have no idea anymore.

Any help is very welcome...in the meantime I'm driving an 86 Dodge Ram 50 whose idea of A/C is blowing leaf particles through the vent at me. Not to mention it gives me the 'jumpin-jehosefats' every time I crank it up...

 

Wheel bearing? Try swerving down the road and see if it goes away when that side is un-loaded(as in the side of the car that goes up when turning).

 

I'll try that this afternoon, but I swear it's a persistent sound regardless of how fast or which direction I'm going (as far as weight shift).

 

jack it up, grab the wheel either side of the tire and try to shake it. If theres any play your bearings shot

 

Pretty much did that while switching the tire out, since I was using a breaker bar. No play. Now, there was a slight clicking noise as we rotated the brake rotor?

 

BTW, I'll be heading over there (my dad's house where it is parked) soon and I'll try jacking it back up and swerving madly down the road in our little town...

 

Possibly a dust shield from the brakes. Look at the back of the rotor when the wheel is off and see if the shield is touching the rotor at all. Even if it is very close, it could still rub when it expands from brake heat.

 

but is that possible even when the only time I touch the brakes is to disengage park? b/c it makes the sound regardless of driving time...

 

Its still possible that the shield could be rubbing. When Ive been in a similar situation as this (hearing scraping that got quicker with speed.) it always turned out to be my dustshield rubbing on the back of the rotor. Try bending it away from the rotor and see if it goes away. If it doesnt, then its obviously not your problem. I would definatley do this before you go throught the work of removing a wheel bearing.

 

Ok, thanks for all your help guys!

I must agree with all of you now, it has to be a wheel bearing. So, next logical question is: Is there anything I should know about installing the wheel hub assembly?

I really can't see how it's held in completely? Is it just those 4 bolts or what?

Again, thanks for all the input! Your exact answers helped me narrow it down...