Droning sound from rear end.

[Daktari]

Hi there,

This may have been touched on before but I wasn't sure what to search for. We took off the hard top around a month back and since then, I've noticed a drone sound or a whirring sound at higher speeds from the rear end.

The problem is, I'm not sure if it always makes this sound and it may be more noticable with the soft top up. Afterall, when the soft top is packed away in it's space through Winter, then that would be acting as sound deadening insulation. On the other hand, it does sound like a wheel bearing kind of sound or even worse, the rear drive diff. thingy. It is most noticable when slowing down but without brakes on.

Any ideas what this could be, is it a possible fault or is it just the normal operating sound that is now more obvious with the soft top being used?

Thanks for any suggestions, Gordon.

[austx]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Gordon, search "wheel bearing" and look at the thread titled "noise from rear (diff.?)" Several of us had wheel bearing problems.

Tom

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Interior cabin noise/drone

Noise from rear (diff. ?)

I'M IN SHOCK

[FritsB]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Mine did that too Gordon, it seemed both my rear wheel bearings need replacement. Had right one done two weeks ago and thought it was fixed, but then it seemed the other one was gone also. That one will be done next Wednesday. Mileage on my car is app. 55k.

[Daktari]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Hi there,

Thanks for those pointers. After reading them posts I'm convinced it's the rear bearings. It is due for a routine service soon so I'll just mention the sound it makes and let the mechanics find out what the cause is. I learned from past experience, it's not a good idea to suggest to them what it might be cos usually, they will go ahead and fit new parts, even if that's not the main problem.

Thanks again, Gordon. Our mileage as just gone past 30,000.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

On the sound in the rear wheel, have them check the stabilizing links. We put my Bird on a lift and physically bounced the rear. We could hear it loud and clear, and it was easy to isolate the problem area.

They replaced both sides, and it was covered under the original warranty.

You'll find a lot of previous posts if you use the "search" button at the top of this page. Just click on "search" and enter "rear noise" in the dropdown box.

[austx]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

On the sound in the rear wheel, have them check the stabilizing links. We put my Bird on a lift and physically bounced the rear. We could hear it loud and clear, and it was easy to isolate the problem area.

They replaced both sides, and it was covered under the original warranty.

You'll find a lot of previous posts if you use the "search" button at the top of this page. Just click on "search" and enter "rear noise" in the dropdown box.

Apoligies to Gordon, I don't want to steal your thread -but I want to ask Sally if bad stabilizer bars make a "phantom can rolling around the trunk" noise at very slow speed - like in a parking lot?

Tom

[taflocks]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

had it last night after my wifes cooking

[redbirdsal]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Apoligies to Gordon, I don't want to steal your thread -but I want to ask Sally if bad stabilizer bars make a "phantom can rolling around the trunk" noise at very slow speed - like in a parking lot?

Tom

Yes, especially when rolling over a traffic bump

The sound started with kind of a "swoosh" sound with each wheel revolution and the first time I heard it was going slowly down a boat launch ramp with the windows down.

I took it to the Dealership when I got back to Dallas, and they claimed they couldn't hear it. Over the next several weeks the sound became louder and progressed to the "clunking" sound. That finally got thier attention.

[bronzebird]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Yes, especially when rolling over a traffic bump

The sound started with kind of a "swoosh" sound with each wheel revolution and the first time I heard it was going slowly down a boat launch ramp with the windows down.

I took it to the Dealership when I got back to Dallas, and they claimed they couldn't hear it. Over the next several weeks the sound became louder and progressed to the "clunking" sound. That finally got thier attention.

Sally:

Once you got all the way down the boat ramp, did it float very long?

Bronzebird

[darsinewman]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

had it last night after my wifes cooking

I was wondering how long it would take someone to comment on the humorous title to the thread. My bet was on RustyFrye - Tom, you surprised me! But I guess you are the king of the one-liners...

[Daktari]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Well, we do have Ziggy our wee doggy that sometimes has a drone from the rear end as well. Easy fix for that, he heads straight out into the back yard for a while. It's because he insists on pinching the cat's food.

Gordon.

[Ski]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

Darsi, I was betting on Rusty too and had to suppress the urge to beat him to it.

[Balzout]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

I purchased my bird with 21000 miles; now it has 37000 miles. I have had a consistent rear end "whine" the entire time, between 40 and 50 mph under acceleration/deceleration. I have been told (by a someone on this site) that this is due to the ring/pinion gear in the rear end. They are manufactured as a match set, and if not made perfectly, the result is a "whine". Nothing to worry about, as long as it is consistent, and doesn't get noticably worse over time. Save your $$.

[00mustng]

Re: Droning sound from rear end.

.....Mine has demonstrated this from day 1....not got worse...doesn't bother me....has 109,000KM. now.....I remember early after intro. there was mention in a bulletin of harmonic vibration noise....but don't know if there ever was a response....