I'm guessing it's from a bad wheel bearing, but I've never really dealt with something like this before. Basically the noise starts at around 30ish, but it gets noticable at 40 and keeps getting louder as i go faster. I did notice the noise completely stops while going about 35 and making a gentle right turn, but not the same with a left.

What could the problem be and what should I check? Should I just take it to a shop and have them check it out? This is my daily driver so I can't really leave it with a shop for several days...

 

if it was a wheel bearing more then likely you would be getting a bad vibration at higher speeds and under acceleration

 

The car gets shaky above 70, but not outrageously. I basically just wanna get rid of the annoying noise while cruising above 40.

Oh yea, and when I say it gets noticeable at 40, I mean that. Exactly at 40 the sound jumps way up and gets annoying.

 

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. Is the sound coming from the front? If so, put the front end on stands. With the transmission in neutral, spin each wheel by hand and also check the free play. The bad wheel may not spin freely, may make noise, and may have excess free play. If so, you'll need to remove the knuckle and take it to a shop to have the old bearing pressed out and the new one pressed in.

 

+1.. also a little trick for those special vehciles were you cant tell a diffrence but you know it is the wheel bearing is to put your hand on the spring while turning the wheel. the vibration will be felt on the spring.

wheel bearings dont vibrate like that. the only vibration going on is the rumbling or growling effect that will whine faster at speed which wouldnt be felt on the steering wheel

 

I have a 2005 Honda accord hybrid that has the loud, monotone, humming and vibrating sound. It is NOT the radio. I suspect the battery, but my daughter's 2006 Civic (not a hybrid) also does this so I suspect the emission/muffler system. Somebody must know what this lovely sound is

 

Tires interfacing with the grooved road surface?

 

why do you say you think it is the battery? are you really saying that you think the noise is an electrical sound? (batterys dont make noise)

to see if it is an elctrical issue you can turn ON the radio and tune to an AM station. see if the noise comes through your speakers.





as for the OP concern..if he is even still around...reach 40 mph and switch gears...either downshift or upshift and see if the noise goes away. could be tranny related with the growling

 

Either that or tire noise - not all tires are quiet. Some tread designs are very noisy and sound like a bad wheel bearing esp. snow tires.

 

I can bet my life on it that its the wheel bearings!

what I suggest you do is go on the freeway and stay in the very left lane, find a place that doesnt have an emergency lane in the left and get closer to the guardrail (obviously be carefull) and be all ears for the hunt of a sound,once you notice this sound apply a little light brake or a light turn to the left & right if the sound dissapears then you my friend are in need of new bearings. you do the same to the right side in the emergency lane basically the sound bounces off the guardrails and becomes much more noticable!

 

bearings guaranteed... i had that annoying hum screeching in my ear for 6 months!!!.. i couldn't think str8

 

So, my 2004 Civic LX has been making the same loud, deep-toned growl, starting at 40 mph and gets amplified the faster I go. I originally thought it may be the ball bearing O rings or the hub bearing center itself. What was the outcome of your problem????

*no additional or different tone humming or growling when making a left or right turn, just the loud deep growl.

 

Wrong forum as well as a 12 year old thread bump. This is the 92-00 forum.

Please create a your own thread in the proper generation civic forum.