1996 Honda Accord LX with 37,000 miles :

So I started noticing a low frequency sound coming from the rear when I was at low speeds, between 10-20mph. It sounds sort of like an intermittent grinding sound, and depends on how fast the wheels are spinning. At higher speeds, the sound eventually becomes un-noticable.

I was really careful in my listening today, and I'm sure it's coming from the rear of the car, which is a good thing, because all of the expensive and complicated parts on this car appears to be in the front. The rear wheels are just a hub, a bearing, and a brake drum.

I jacked it up, and found that while the left rear wheel spins freely, the right rear one makes an intermittent sound as it turns and quickly comes to a stop. I'm a guessing that this is the culprit.

It doesn't sound like bearings to me, it sounds like the brake system is rubbing. Should I attempt to fix this myself, or just bend over and take it to a brake shop?

I've never worked on a car before. However, I'm game to trying. I looked it up, and replacing the drum, the shoe, and the hub and bearings is about $150 worth of parts from RockAuto parts. Plus about $20 for a torque wrench, and I can borrow sockets for free.

 

Really only 37,000 miles? Not likely the bearing then. Don't bend over (unless you enjoy that sort of thing). Before buying anything, diagnose it. Remove the wheel, remove the drum - should just pull off. There might be two screws holding it to the hub. Does the hub spin without noise without the wheel and drum? (if you want some mass to spin, mount the drum backwards so it doesn't contact the shoes - but don't hit the brakes or you'll push the pistons out of the wheel cylinder). Do the shoes retract when the parking brake is released? Are the shoes worn down through the friction material? Are they worn unevenly? Brake fluid leaking from the wheel cylinder, gumming up the works? Self-adjuster working correctly? You might want to get a friend who knows something about cars to help you out. A Haynes or Chilton manual for the car would be a good investment if you intend to start doing your own work.

 

Yep, 37k. Was garaged for about 5 years and no one touched it. Before that, it belonged to my grandpa when he was in his 80s. I'm going to try what you suggested.

 

Fixed. It was a partially separated tire that was coming apart.