Loud whining noise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Salem NH
Loud whining noise
Hi folks, I have an 02 with 38,000 miles recently I get a loud whining noise coming from the rear of the car, it continues if I depress the clutch, wheel bearings seem to be good, any thoughts ?
Much appreciated !
GENO.
Much appreciated !
GENO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Main things that come to mind are the wheel bearings and rear differential. Best to get the car on a lift and see if you can find the culprit.
Last edited by CactusCat; Nov 14, 2015 at 10:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
If it is a rear end ring and pinion whine, the whine will typically be present at steady speed or acceleration, usually above 50 mph or so, but will disappear when throttle off or coasting in gear.
If it is a ring and pinion whine, the pitch or frequency of the whine will be the same, whether in 4th, 5th or 6th at the same speedometer speed, such as at 60 mph, regardless of which gear you are in.
Since your noise continues with the clutch depressed, that may point to a wheel or hub bearing, which also has the same pitch, regardless of the gear you are in at a given speedometer speed.
The best way to isolate the source is to us a set of small microphones that can be attached to various locations where you suspect the noise to be coming from. a receiver allows you to switch between the microphones to determine which location is generating the noise.
I don't remember the name of the noise location detector set but you parts house or a good shop will have one. Someone else may post a link to find one, and I will do that also after an on line search.
If it is a ring and pinion whine, the pitch or frequency of the whine will be the same, whether in 4th, 5th or 6th at the same speedometer speed, such as at 60 mph, regardless of which gear you are in.
Since your noise continues with the clutch depressed, that may point to a wheel or hub bearing, which also has the same pitch, regardless of the gear you are in at a given speedometer speed.
The best way to isolate the source is to us a set of small microphones that can be attached to various locations where you suspect the noise to be coming from. a receiver allows you to switch between the microphones to determine which location is generating the noise.
I don't remember the name of the noise location detector set but you parts house or a good shop will have one. Someone else may post a link to find one, and I will do that also after an on line search.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Probably the mustang owner's mouth in the lane next to you. Super obnoxious but always heard from behind the Corvette.
Good luck finding the actual issue. Hopefully it's just a quick easy fix with the wheel bearings.
Good luck finding the actual issue. Hopefully it's just a quick easy fix with the wheel bearings.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
You might have to do a Google search but I remember someone having this issue and it was the emergency brake lever/system. I think a spring had come loose on the rear wheel and you could hear it whining but when he turned a certain way, it went away. This one is very difficult to troubleshoot via messaging. Since there is no codes, you'll just have to dig and find it.
Last edited by CactusCat; Nov 17, 2015 at 10:13 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
well the way wheel bearings are set up is they have 2 conical roller bearings for each wheel. It could potentially be a bad outer left or inner right bearing. With no play in either wheel, it will be hard to tell which one unless you can identify which side the noise is coming from.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
Rule of thumb is if it's a wheel bearing, turn left and noise goes away or greatly diminishes, it's the right side bearing and the opposite is if you turn right, it's the left wheel bearing. Ask me how I know !! 
how do you know?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Salem NH
Thanks for all the input, turns out it was the left rear wheel bearing, nice and quiet now thanks to Vette Undercar of Salem NH, great shop and great people, can't go wrong bringing your car there!