You can easily replace damaged bearings without seeking professional help. The reason you are hearing humming sounds in your car could be because the exhaust system has problems. Check for your specific model year. Gear slippage. The first step in diagnosing the problem is taking the vehicle for a test drive. If there is, youre usually looking at a worn wheel bearing and not a bad tire. These contaminants circulate throughout the grease and between the races and the bearings accelerating the wear rate. I can't recall) a month ago or so. An expert will notice problems with your differential and have them fixed before they become worse. Air escaping through a leak can also cause a distinct "humming" noise. 2. Poor installation. In this case, the nature and intensity of the hum will change. With that in mind, this page is divided by when you hear the whining noise and common causes under those conditions. Going faster, the thump duration is shorter.) The whining noise almost comes across as a chip or chirp. If one sounds gritty, that wheel bearing will likely need replacing. You should also ensure youre using the correct type of oil. The most common reason for your Chevrolet Sonic to have a ticking noise/sound coming from under your car is having something lodged in one of your tyres. On average, the cost for a Chevrolet Sonic Noise from engine or exhaust Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. I was thinking maybe jackshaft bearing where axle goes into jackshaft it feels warm on . Depending on where they are needed, they can be on the front or back of your Sonics wheels. I have a 09 Chevy equinox fwd. chevy sonic humming noise. The noise may also change depending on how fast youre driving or how much youre turning the steering wheel. Been burned doing that but it works much more often than not. 3. Tires are balanced with wheel weights when a new tire is installed. A bent or wobbling pulley can cause the serpentine belt to make noise. As long as you have the dipstick out, go ahead and check the transmission fluid color. Did the sound change as you moved the wheel? Whining sound when car is in gear Inspection. Overheated transmission. I believe past 07' wheel bearings are covered under the 5 year/ 100000 mile warranty. It is important to know exactly where the humming sound comes from because this can indicate a serious problem with the car that needs proper repairs. Bad wheel bearings and bad tires have a similar sound. This can cause a ticking noise as the object that is stuck rotates around the wheel and then touches the road. CHEVY SONIC MISFIRES, RUNS ROUGH, But NO CODES, OBD2, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. Here are some other things that can cause noise while at speed: You can do a few simple tests to figure out what is causing a humming noise while driving at high speed in your Chevy Sonic. If you found one or more damaged bearings, then you need to change them as soon as possible. Gear slippage means the gears will not engage and accelerate properly. You should always check the power steering fluid level, which always causes steering wheel problems. The higher the speed, the higher the vibration. There are many reasons why your Chevy Sonic is making humming noise at high speeds. Driving a car that makes noise from the engine is a nuisance. Damaged boot clamps Your CV boots are kept in place by boot clamps. Thanks for letting us know how you made out. 2007-2010 Pontiac G5. Required fields are marked *. If left unserviced, the bearings wear out faster and could cause damage to other parts. In order to locate and diagnose links that are loose, you can hoist your car or use a jack to lift it. 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Sometimes it can take longer if the wheel hub is stuck, it then requires a lot of hammering or use of different tools and techniques to remove the hub. Humming noise is a symptom of an underlying problem with your Sonic, which must be resolved urgently for your safety and driving comfort. If the steering system has issues, you will likely hear humming sounds. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the wheels at a car workshop. Your Chevy Sonics starter may not fully engage with the flywheel/flexplate. If there's movement, see where it's coming from and fix the obvious stuff first. Run your hand along the tread. Wear in these components will cause a humming noise as theyre moving. You can also recognize a defective wheel bearing if there is too much play. If you notice that the tires in your Sonic are wearing unevenly, for example losing more tread on the inside, this can also be related to a bad wheel bearing since it can disturb the alignment of the vehicle. The worst case scenario for most parts is that too much wear will cause the part to fail. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author. If you continue driving your Sonic with a bad wheel bearing for months, in worse case scenario the wheel can lock up while driving or even fall off. Can you tell if the noise is coming from the front or rear? Jack up each wheel and spin it freely. Had transmission rebuilt (Pro).My problem is that when it gets around 35, 8L90E Specs, Performance, and Identification, TH400 Transmission Specs, ID, and Common Problems, Chevy Silverado Humming Noise Getting Louder With Speed: How to Fix, Chevy Spark Humming Noise Getting Louder With Speed: How to Fix, Mazda 6 P0320: Meaning, Causes, & Diagnosis, Bad wheel bearings, tires, alignment, missing wheel weight(s), None, but bad suspension components can be dangerous. $110.24 - $117.94. Here is an excellent page with way more info on the subject. Saved me some cash for sure. You can also use the method outlined above, where you rock your Sonic while its moving to see if there is a change in pitch. If the wheel sounds gritty and is hard to turn, you likely found the humming sounds cause. If the cupping is on the outside tread, it still could be an alignment issue. Failure Date: 01/01/2018. But, you can quickly know by steering the wheel to either side, like when changing lanes. The whining sound should change when you turn your cars steering wheel or rev the engine. You can have someone rev the engine for you as you check under the car. If there is, youre usually looking at a worn wheel bearing and not a bad tire. It does sound like a wheel bearing from your description. You can remedy axle seal failure by pulling out the damaged seal using a seal puller and replacing it. If only the rear wheel bearings are defective, the vibration is mostly felt from under the seats. A defective blower motor will make a continuous sound noticeable by the passengers in the vehicle. You can easily know you have a failing wheel bearing because as you increase the speed the hum becomes much higher in intensity and under a variety of conditions: on a straight road, when turning when driving on roads with different surfaces. In many cases, however, the noise builds up after a short time often after a few hundred miles. A skilled mechanic for quality results can replace your muffler and oxygen sensor. The entire weight of the vehicle rests on the bearings. Right around the 35mph mark and up into the 60's and 70's it's OBVIOUS. Humming noise in the car can be heard especially when driving and it can occur for various reasons. Because it is heated in motion, it can stick, and this is caused by driving like this for a longer time. 2008-2010 Pontiac G3, G6, Vibe, Wave. If you have a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive car then the humming noise can be caused by a worn-out rear axle reducer, especially if the noise is heard from the back of the car. Other factors can also contribute to premature bearing failure on your Sonic, like driving with unbalanced tires or poor wheel alignment. Often problems with these hoses were observed in Mercedes-Benz cars with the Active Body Control feature. Threw up a couple codes and no water pump wasnt the problem. Rob B briant The noise is the vacuum pump turning on, completely normal and necessary. If your Chevy Sonic is experiencing a whining noise, determining where and when the noise is happening is coming from is key to diagnosing and tracking down the cause. Checking it requires you to be under the car and some mechanical skills. Noises that are related to the drive belt will often get louder with higher RPMs but are not affected by vehicle speed. The sound could almost be described as barking. Itll be deeper than the sound of a worn serpentine belt sounds. Join now! Air escaping through a leak can also cause a distinct humming noise. Estimate. Weve outlined the most common reasons why a humming noise in your car gets louder with speed. For this, you should change the entire cluck kit, not just the bearing. Home Troubleshooting Chevy Sonic makes humming noise at high speeds causes and how to fix it. Alternator whine is a product of a drop in voltage between the radio and the alternator itself. In the case of any repairing work, we recommend you to use an official dealership or services provided by other certified specialists. If its partially failed this will mean that the engine temperature, including the coolant temperature, will be above normal, so you will have to be careful and change the bearing or the entire pump as soon as possible. It can tell you a lot about the health of your transmission. 2010-2012 GMC Terrain. If the play is clearly noticeable and visible, then the wheel bearing is very likely defective. It is possible the humming noise youre hearing while driving your Chevy Sonic may not be due to a defect, but because of the type of tires youre using, especially if you started hearing the noise after installing new tires on the rims. I have been working in the automotive industry for more than 15 years. Less common cause is failing transmission. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. The may change when youre turning the wheel, such as when youre parking. Use the table above and noise recordings to make fixing your car easier. Brakes make a crunching or thumping noise Second opinion] 2012 chevy sonic. Take a look behind the wheels. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. As you're driving and you begin to hear knocking sounds that emit from the rear or the front wheels- as you drive over potholes, cracks or even bumps on the road- then you can trace the issue to stabilizer links. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. A failing alternator can also make your cars stereo hum while driving. Therefore, the internal components must be lubricated with lubricants such as grease or oil to prevent overheating. Generally, these issues don't show up suddenly. Heres what a bad wheel bearing sounds like: A bad wheel bearing can cause a humming sound. Front and rear differentials improve handling. While you can go a thousand more miles, it can turn dangerous for everyone on the road. Unbalanced wheels will vibrate when driving. Youre looking to change your Sonics load balance from one side to the other. Software glitch. GM 3100 V6, CAI router to drivers side wheel well with S&B filter, Tenzo T-R exhaust, Bosch spark plug wires, NGK spark plugs, Mobil 1 synthetic oil, front and rear strut braces, 54mm TB, Falken high performance tires (forgot specs), green coolant swap. Even when cornering, you may feel the handling of the vehicle a bit off. The vibration caused by loose screws can resemble a hum. Therefore a bad wheel bearing must be replaced as soon as possible when symptoms first appear. If the wheel sounds gritty and is hard to turn, you likely found the humming sounds cause. Condition. If the cupping is on the outside tread, it still could be an alignment issue. It helps provide additional brake assist during low engine rpm. Prices may vary depending on your location. If you have difficulty changing gears, maybe shifting too late or even too soon, you might want to check the transmission fluid levels. Harsh Shifting. A humming noise is normal if youve recently replaced your Sonics tires with an aggressive tread. Driving your Sonic with a defective wheel bearing can be dangerous, so you must act urgently for your safety and driving comfort. Noises that are only audible at highway speeds may change when youre switching lanes or making a long, sweeping turn. When you first start your car, the serpentine belt may make a loud and long whining sound before going relatively quiet. Your email address will not be published. Often you can hear the hum when starting the car after when cold because the oil thickens at low temperatures. A humming noise can be caused by a number of different systems in your vehicle. If you have a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive car then the humming noise can be caused by a worn-out rear axle reducer, especially if the noise is heard from the back of the car. However, this technique requires some experience and a practiced grip. It seems like the humming noise you are hearing could be due to a bad wheel bearing on that side. You can suspect fluid leakage and check for a trail underneath the car. You can check it by driving at low speed on uneven roads or swinging the car. All fluid levels are as they should be. Worn or failing synchronizer. If you hear gears grinding while shifting a manual transmission, you may have a problem . This is a very serious problem since you cannot use the transmission like this, this will significantly reduce its normal operation. Here in Canada the wheel bearings are definately covered by the GM powertrain warranty. It's when there is no play and the wheel bearing is bad that it is harder to diagnose. Poor road conditions. 1. If a curve is then also driven through, axial forces occur. Diagnostic Codes FAQ Some all-terrain tires also make a lot of noise that is noticeable in the vehicles cabin. 0. A defective wheel bearing is a very common reason your Sonic will make a humming noise while driving. 2012 chevy sonic. Sometimes driving accentuates noises that are heard while idling. A bad bearing can also cause uneven tires, issues with brakes, steering wheel vibration, and wobbly wheels at the worst. Also, the noise is variable depending on the speed AND the duration of noise is also speed dependent (going slow, the thump is drawn out. The noise increases when driving at high speed while engaging in turns. Just started yesterday. You can test all four wheel bearings when the car is stationary. Every so o read more Thanks. Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. Another problem could be that the exhaust pipe is not well placed or fixed and interferes with other components functionality. None of these components fail due to any fault of the driver. 97 it's a, I have a 2007 h3 hummer base model. Just an update, chevy dealer replaced the left front bearing under warranty this morning, good to go! These sounds become louder when accelerating. It would be best if you did not overlook the humming noises coming from the engine. January 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts down while driving fuel pump not monitored, may be no engine light etc. Tags Chevy Fix Humming Louder Noise Sonic Speed, P0000 is a rare OBD2 fault code that can affect the Acura RL. The most common symptoms of a bad wheel bearing in Chevy Sonic are grinding or humming noise, knocking or clunking noise when cornering, shaking steering wheel, body vibration, uneven or abnormal tire wear, play in wheel, and vehicle pulls to one side when driving in a straight line. The following suspension issues usually cause cupping: If you find cupping on the inside tread of your Sonics tire, suspect an issue with the wheel alignment. Here are the most likely causes of a vehicle whining when starting: Your Sonics serpentine belt turns all of the engine accessories. Also, check out for leakage and tire air pressure. This video is part of a series of videos heres the playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqm72j2KoMXBFtcnGZ9-H2M02QJt2MixGIt had what sounded like a squealing belt noise coming from engine. A damaged power steering pump can also be responsible for a humming noise. On average, the cost for a Chevrolet Sonic Hissing noise when brake pedal is depressed Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. The wear of the rear axle reducer can be caused by a low oil level . The following suspension issues usually cause cupping: If you find cupping on the inside tread of your Sonics tire, suspect an issue with the wheel alignment. Gear slippage is one of the symptoms of having low transmission fluid. You may notice the noise only happens at idle or only happens at highway speed. Low Transmission Fluid Low transmission fluid in the engine can cause humming noises when driving. You can hear it when you're outside, but it. Home Troubleshooting Chevy Sonic bad wheel bearings symptoms, causes and diagnosis. January 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts down while driving fuel pump not monitored, may be no engine light etc. You'll need to visit your local tyre centre to get this fixed. However you should not hurry in replacing the bearings as sometimes the symptoms can be caused by something else, for example tire cupping (type of uneven wear) can also cause humming noise inside the cabin. Over the years, he claims a sturdy hold on his driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of cars. Grinding or humming noise in the cabin of Sonic from the direction of the affected wheel is one of the earliest signs of a bad wheel bearing. The symptoms are somehow similar to a damaged wheel bearing, the noise increases when the car speeds up. While the vehicle was parked, the ignition would inadvertently start and the rpms increased violently. Often times well need to order parts before performing the repair. Or, it could be a situation where it is having a hard time disengaging. If that is the case you may want to contact the dealer and find out. Youll likely see the spot where the wheel bearing was. The Online Portfolio of Mike Flynn. The faster you drive your vehicle, the louder the humming noise gets. If they are replaced at the same time, this saves time and money. If the bearing from the water pump is worn out this will trigger a hum in the engine compartment. Balancing corrects any vibration before the tires go on the vehicle. Using a bad lubricant or due to lack of lubrication. Difficulty shifting gears. Theyre generally normal wear items that will wear as the car ages. With Sodium Hydroxide. He is a car enthusiast; he loves cooking and listening to music, especially jazz. Off-road and snow tread tires are notorious for making a loud humming sound. 09' Malibu LTZ with brick leather interior. In most scenarios, if you encounter humming sounds when driving, there could be a problem with components such as bearings or transmission. A whining sound when accelerating is almost always caused by a bad accessory attached to your Sonics engine. Or, you can watch the video below. Here are the most common causes of whining noises when accelerating: If your Chevy Sonics alternator is going bad, itll often begin to put out a high-pitched whining sound. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the humming noise issue for you. The one good thing to always stay on top of is normal scheduled maintenance. If your Chevy Sonic is suffering from uneven tire wear, you should be able to pick up the noise while driving around 30 MPH with it getting louder as you accelerate. Driving with a faulty CV joint can cause your CV joint to be completely damaged. Knowing where and when the noise happens can make quick work of diagnosing a whining noise coming from the Chevy Sonic. If a curve is then also driven through, axial forces occur. With uneven tire wear, you may also notice: If your Sonics wheels are not correctly balanced, it can cause a humming noise when driving. 1. Determining when the noise is at its worst helps pinpoint which side the failing wheel bearing or other drivetrain component is on. Catalytic convertors overheat due to the exhaust systems excessive amount of unburned fuel or gasses. It seems to be getting louder. It is normal operation. Grinding or low-pitched humming sounds can be a sign of wear and failing parts. Youll hear it match the acceleration of the vehicle. It sounds like a truck, idling on the street in front your house. Tires that are cupped or scalloped have uneven tread wear across the tire. They develop over time as the result of poor maintenance, abuse, or high mileage. Impacts of all kinds are much more damaging to bearings than the high loads. Does the sound get louder while turning your Sonics steering wheel? As the load is taken off the bearing usually, the noise will change. You can jack up the front end and see if there's play in the bearing, grab the tire at the 6 and 12 o'clock and the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and rock the wheel. Did the sound change as you moved the wheel? That is RIDICULOUS, Cheryl. I can really hear it well when I let go of the gas since the engine quiets down. In general, it is advisable to change the second bearing on the same axle even if there is only one defective wheel bearing in your Chevy Sonic. It should change pitch with driving speed if that is the case. Transmission Bearing Noise. When the belt becomes loosened, accelerating the car creates a humming sound. This could mean the car will no longer drive. Symptoms Grinding or humming noise This is not only the cause of discomfort for the driver and passengers but also the cause of the hum. The humming noise also intensifies when you accelerate. However, the noise resembles more of a crackle and it can also be heard when you are in a turn. If your Sonic has a worn wheel bearing, the sound will be slightly more high-pitched than a tire issue (you can play that sound below). Show example Chevrolet Sonic Noise from engine or exhaust Inspection prices Your car's engine makes quite a racket. Your transmission is responsible for making your car move - it transfers the power from the engine to the wheels. So we went ahead and ordered the Mount set and installed it in less than 10 minutes! If it didnt change, its likely a tire-related problem.