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Humming/ringing noise around 35mph, stops with no accel

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Old 01-15-2008, 08:54 PM
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Default Humming/ringing noise around 35mph, stops with no accel

I replaced my front struts and a bad wheel bearing. The bad wheel bearing was VERY noisy so I am not sure if this sound was here before or after the strut job.

Basically as I accelerate I can hear this ringing noise. The noise seems to get louder as I keep the same acceleration, but not by much. It keeps faint if anything. If I let off the gas or give it more gas then the sound goes away. More so when I let off the gas.It seems predominant around 35mph.

What do you guys think? Something with the exhaust?

I don't think it would be another bad wheel bearing if the noise goes away as soon as I let up off the gas.

If you have ever done the trick with a glass cup where you move your finger over the top ring - The resulting sound is a ringing noise that gets louder the more you do it. It sounds like that.
Old 01-16-2008, 12:10 PM
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This type of noise is usually caused by a rotating part. Driveshafts can make ringing noises and so can rotors. Check your rotors to make sure the backing plate is not bent against and touching the rotor. I wonder if the flexplate might be a possible source as well. Just some ideas.
Old 01-16-2008, 12:41 PM
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Thank you for your reply. I will look into the wheel where we had to take the rotor, caliper, and shaft off the wheel bearing to replace it.

My only question though is that these parts are constantly in rotation. Remember if I take my foot off the gas the sound stops. Wouldn't the sound persist if it was the driveshaft or rotor after I let up off the gas?
Old 01-16-2008, 02:07 PM
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When you are under load, often parts shift in response. It is possible that applying and removing load could make the sound come and go.
Old 01-16-2008, 04:07 PM
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Do you think that remains true with the car in park/neutral? While driving home I noticed that the sound still exists even when the car is in park or neutral.
Old 01-16-2008, 04:41 PM
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Could be something in the transmission... not sure what, not a huge trans buff.

Only time I've ever heard a similar noise is after I gutted my airbox, all of the sudden it'* making a whining/whistling noise between gearshifts if I hold throttle in a certain position. It'* not transmission, I've had four of those and they've all done it :P.
Old 01-16-2008, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Arakor
Do you think that remains true with the car in park/neutral? While driving home I noticed that the sound still exists even when the car is in park or neutral.
If it is making the noise in park, that would certainly eliminate the rotors and the drive axles, but not the flex plate or something rubbing on the belt end of the engine.
Old 01-17-2008, 08:35 PM
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I noticed the sound is manipulated a bit through shifting. Possibly transmission or belts (RPM based). I do believe my harmonic balancer or supercharger is making a grinding noise at idle. Doubt that problem is related though. RPM based does make sense considering how changes to acceleration (and essentially RPMs) is what makes the sound dissipate.

If it exists in park and neutral does that eliminate the possibility of the transmission? In other words, while in park and neutral are some components of the transmission in rotation?
Old 01-17-2008, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Arakor
If it exists in park and neutral does that eliminate the possibility of the transmission? In other words, while in park and neutral are some components of the transmission in rotation?
No, and yes, in that order.
Old 01-21-2008, 08:13 AM
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I will be trying to hunt it down again today. Any other spots to look for? Any ideas as to how to tell if its the transmission?


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