I heard an annoying noise from the front end of the car. Car: 2003 Corolla, 1ZZ engine, 115k miles on it. automatic
Noise: It appears to me as a rotating noise, similar as a desktop computer when it is working. It feels like something is off balance, loose or a rotating thing is hit something.
Diagnose work:
1. Jacked the front end off the ground, removed the wheels and reinstalled the wheel nuts tight to hold the rotors. I can hear the same noise when the gear is in D (not when at N, even when RPM increases) and it was increased with speed, not RPM. The noise begins at around 20 mph (or in real driving conditions 35mph). I originally thought this was the wheel bearing, but after the replacement it was still there and it seemed worse now.
2. Also, I used a long breaker bar and held against my ear at one end and steering knuckle at the other and listened. Nothing seemed terribly wrong. I also checked tie rod ends, shook the wheels, sway bar link ends, ball joint(also new), lower control arms, no play at all. All the axle boots are fine.
3. I also asked somebody else to press the accelerator and I looked for the noise. It seemed hard to locate. Also, when I sit inside the car, I can hear more noise than outside. In real driving conditions, turning or braking makes no difference.
My guess is that it was possibly the axle (bad inner CV joint?), because I've ruled out engine and tire. What do you think about this or if there's anything else I can do to check? Thanks.
Last edited by shoujiliuzhijun; 11-10-2012 at 10:04 PM.
Hm wouldn't a cv joint be worse turning etc? You said you replaced the wheel bearing right? I wonder if it is something in the tranny since you can hear it so much more in the car? I would think if it was something hitting as it went around you would be able to feel it in a very local spot, but I don't think I would want to be under it when it is in gear.
Hows about a little video clip?
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Update: Did another jack up with the wheels taken off and wheel nuts reinstalled. Here's the video. You can hear it when the speed is over 40 mph. I also used a stethoscope and it seems that the noise is from the passenger side. One thing I would like to add is that I can hear from the outside that the rotor makes a small metal rubbing noise, but can this be that noise when at high speed? What do you think of this noise and what else do I need to check? Thanks
It's hard to diagnose it with that video... Can you get a video/audio of the CV axles and rotors?
I will do that tomorrow. One thing I noticed is that the passenger side axle seems to rotate off center. But I grabbed on it when the speed is 0 and it is tight without play. Actually that is the No.1 thing I suspect. I just can't put the stethoscope on the rotating axle. Maybe also do some turns while the car is in the air with wheels off at 40+ speed?
How did you rule out the tire? Who replaced the bearing? What bearing was used?
Try this to rule for certain which side its from and see if the wheel bearing is the possible culprit. If possible have a helper press the accelerator at the point the noise occurs to make sure.
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1. Jack the car up with the front wheels completely of the ground and least 5 inches.
2. Secure the car on jack stands and secure the parking brake or chock the wheels.
3. Start the car.
4. After rechecking to make sure the wheels are OFF THE GROUND!!! Put the car in drive.
5. Both wheels should be turning at this point very slowly at least.
6. Carefully reach your hand between the turning wheel and fender and grab onto the coil spring with your hand.
7. If the coil spring feels smooth the wheel bearing is likely not the cause. If you can feel roughness, vibrations, or anything that isn't smooth through the spring the wheel bearing is toast.
8. Do the same for both sides.
9. Once verified press the foot brake and place the vehicle in park.
10. Shut off the engine.
11. Lower the vehicle off jack stands.
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It's hard to diagnose it with that video... Can you get a video/audio of the CV axles and rotors?
This time I also took off the rotors and brake calipers. The noise was still there. With full volumn, you can here it at aroud 00:00:02 and 00:00:28. I know the belt tensioner pulley is also making a little noise, but I don't think it is the bigger noise. I also grabbed the axle again. No up/down/left/right play. A little forward/backward play (direction along the axle) is normal, right?
The stethoscope today seems to indicate the driver side is the source. I can hear a thundering noise and another noise (like you put a little stone in a bowl and rotate that bowl). These things now lead me to suspect the bearing again. I know the bearing itself can be bad, or the pressing can easily damage it. What do you think?
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