Hi. I have a 2002 Vette 32000 miles. I just purchased it a few months ago. It had the original runflat tires on it. After driving it two months and around 2000 miles, I started hearing a low humming noise near the left rear. It starts around 20 mph and increases with speed. You can tell the frequency of the humm is about the same as tire rotation. You can put it in neutral and still hear the sound, then coast down and still hear the sound slowly decrease. I noticed the right rear tire tread had worn away. HMMM wonder how that happened. Anyway, the cord was showing so I replaced all the tires, however, I stll hear the same noise. I see the other threads on clunking and turning and tire whineing but nothing quite like this. If anyone has any idea what the problem could be please advise me. If you have seen another post on this problem could you please point me to it.

 

Some stuff to look for.....Was the vehicle hit? we have vehicles hit in the wheel (cause they are sooo big...) and the hub bearing goes bad...you can't feel it with the vehicle up in the air.....but, makes noise that gets faster with speed....this is my first guess....

second....the posi units in these cars suck....if you drive hard and or spin the wheels (or a previous owner..) the pre-load washers in the posi's fracture, and you no longer have a posi rear......usually, the pieces fall into the diff and get chewed up in the diff causing bearing/gear noise.......also, check for leakage on these diffs cause it's a pain to check the fluid and most of them leak.....

my first choce is hub bearing cause we do alot of em here....


Hope this helps!

Chuck CoW

 

You need to find another Corvette owner that is willing to put on there set of rear tires. Different brand then what you have. The reason I say this is, I have a set of Toyo RA1 tires that hum like crazy. When I put on my race tires the hum goes away. Then you now for sure if it's your tires or rear end.

Steve

 

fuel pump

 

I replaced the runflats with GS-D3s and my son's car has the same tire as well, but no road noise.

In the meantime, I'll look into checking the bearings and alignment.

Any other information is greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas,
Nathan

 

What brand of new tires?

 

Run flats make Too much road noise. Also change the trans and diff fluids and put in synthetic fluids. Helps reduce even more noise.

 

OK Thanks for the info. Swaped tires thats not it. Changed rear end lube no metal came out. Not the fuel pump. I can shut the motor off at 70 coast to 40 Still makes the noise. Now I will try the hub bearing. I wonder if there is a how to change tutorial out there for this project or should that be left for a professional.

 

I agree that it sounds like hub bearing. Happened on my c4 with symptoms like you describe. Scott

 

Grad each rear wheel on its sides. Try to wiggle it in and out. Then grab the top of the wheel and push it in.
If the wheel moves your barring is shot.

unfortunityly if one bearring is shot the others are about to go too. May have to replace all four.

Timkin bearings at Autozone about $180 each vs several hubdred dollars at dealership which are Timkin bearings in GM boxes.

Good Luck

 

Be careful...just wiggling the tire on a lift won't do....Yes, that works when they are reaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyy shot. but, many come in here making tons of noise and they are tight when you try to rock the wheel...use your ears.....also, drive the car at 40mph and alternate steering hard left and hard right.....you are now loading and un loadign the suspension and you can listen to see if the noise changes when each tire lifts....works better for front hubs, but sometimes this works on the rears too....

give it a shot..

Chuck CoW

 

Oh Geez!
Sometimes one hub goes and the rest are good for the next 100,000 miles!

 

Thanks for the info. Got the Left rear hub assemble from autozone. Found a shop that will put it in for 150.00. I followed links to this but not sure I want to try this. Looks like a good write up. www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/

 

I decided to try it myself. I learned a lot doing this. However I tore the lower ball joint rubber boot. I realy don't know how you can use the fork tool and not tear it. Any way I need a rubber boot and the Chevy dealer says I must pay 240.00 and get the hole lower control arm. Talk about ruining a new year holiday weekend. Can any one tell me if a rubber boot is available. Seams kind of ridiculas to spend 240.00 for a rubber boot.

 

I just got my rear hub bearing fixed. Took it to the dealer because it was cheaper than buying the part and installing it myself. Jut paid the $100 deductible and was out the door. At first they thought it was a diff problem. But then got the car up in the air and it was the right rear bearing. Told me it was shot. I told him that thats, what i told him it was when i brought it in. But they did a good job. Mine right before I brought it in, was so bad that it caused a bad vibration and made stuff in the center consol and radio area vibrate so bad that clips in there were vibrating. If you have an extended warranty, use it. I was debating whether to do this myself but then got a price of $150 for the part alone. I was also worried about the dealer having it, but they took good care of my baby. Good luck on your venture. Taking it to the dealer was also an option when i found out that I wouldnt have all the tools. meaning i would have to spend even more.

 

ttt

 

The symptomology you describe is textbook for faulty rear wheel bearings. Do a search and you will find an incredible data base regarding this very common and notorious malady of the C5. The GM replacement part (which is an entire assembly that includes the speed sensor with the new bearing hub, and, cannot be purchased separately as in the C4's) can cost well over $350 at the Dealership.

However, do not lose hope: Timken Bearings has been producing the o.e. replacement bearings for decades, and, is available at the AutoZone for now approx. $150 each (I replaced both my rear wheel bearing hub assemblies which come complete with the speed sensor two years ago, and, the units, at that time, cost $120 each). The Timken part number for the Corvette C5 rear wheel bearing hub assembly units is #512153.

 

I have replaced the bearing, but I broke the lower ball joint dust boot. I have ordered the replacement recommended in the forum archives and hopefully it will work when it gets here in three days.

Thanks for all the help! Hopefull it is problem solved for now.

-Nathan

 

hi gang. got a question...

what is the expected life expectancy of the the wheel bearings in the c5???

i've the same type of noise but found that my tires are shot. currently awaiting new shoes tomorrow.
thanks,
dan

sorry for the partial thread jack, but the info might be helpful.
peace

 

What did you find? I need to do the same thing. Tried to PM you, but it did not appear to work.

Thanks
PGann