Loud humming from my rear axle. Any tips??

[docsayler]

I have a loud humming noise from my rear axle. The noise is consistant whether I am speeding up or slowing down which leads me to think it might be something other than the diff. Has anyone experienced this?? Thank you very much.

 

[01lssport]

Wheel bearing maybe? There was someone awhile ago that had a diff go bad.

 

[ToddG]

I have a loud humming noise from my rear axle. The noise is consistant whether I am speeding up or slowing down which leads me to think it might be something other than the diff. Has anyone experienced this?? Thank you very much.

When you say "constant" do you mean it is a constant volume, or a constant pitch?

FYI, I had a noise coming from my rear wheels that increased in pitch as the car moved faster and vice versa. The sound was the same over any terrain. Turns out it was a wheel bearing (fixed under warranty). The service tech told me that the bearings on the LS go out on a regular basis.

 

[KD00LS]

I'm guessing you mean at a certain, probably high mph, it makes a humming noise when it shifts into overdrive. Halfshafts are the culprits.

 

[02V8Sport]

mine was a loose axle nut, tightened it and the noise went away

 

[mharrison]

I have a bad rear wheel bearing. Mine starts about 40mph and increases in pitch. If yours is constant you may be able to do do-nuts in a parking lot each direction. Since mine starts that high, I tested mine on an empty, straight stretch of interstate. At 60mph I jerked it to the left (quick, but not far) straightened out, then jerked it to the right....kind of a long shallow curve. This loaded up the different wheel bearings. One way it quit making noise, and the other way it was loud. When you turn left it loads up the weight on the right rear, turn right it loads up weight on the left rear. So the one that makes the humming noise while loaded up, is bad.

 

[ToddG]

I have a bad rear wheel bearing. Mine starts about 40mph and increases in pitch. If yours is constant you may be able to do do-nuts in a parking lot each direction. Since mine starts that high, I tested mine on an empty, straight stretch of interstate. At 60mph I jerked it to the left (quick, but not far) straightened out, then jerked it to the right....kind of a long shallow curve. This loaded up the different wheel bearings. One way it quit making noise, and the other way it was loud. When you turn left it loads up the weight on the right rear, turn right it loads up weight on the left rear. So the one that makes the humming noise while loaded up, is bad.

The symptoms on my car were exactly as you described, and it was a wheel bearing.

 

[docsayler]

I'm gonna tear into it this afternoon. You guys have been a great help. How much were your wheel bearings???