Rep Power: 0

I have a 2002 civic ex that has a rumbling sound coming from the rear of the car,sounds to me like a bearing.My question is, is there a easy way to tell what side is bad if that is the problem? Thanks

 
Rep Power: 518

Drive it with someone sitting in the middle of the back seat, have them tell you which side seems loudest. Trade places and see if you agree.

Then raise it in the air and spin each rear wheel as fast as you can by hand. The bad one should rumble as it spins. If you still can't tell, then get under the car with a stethoscope and listen at the back of each spindle.

You can also remove each brake drum and spin each hub by hand. One should feel rougher than the other and may also make more noise.




Be aware that it may not be a bearing noise at all. It could easily be choppy tire tread making noise. That's probably more common than actual bearing noises and most people can't differentiate between the two.
If both sides are perfectly quiet with the tires raised off the ground and spinning by hand, then it is probably tires. Rotate tires front to rear, see if the noise moved.


By the time the average consumer notices a problem and gets it to the shop, the bad bearing usually sounds like a small airplane flying beside you.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the info.It was hard to tell if there was a problem when i first bought the car because all 4 tires were shot.I had 4 new tires put on and noticed the noise when i picked the car up today and brought it home.

 
Rep Power: 518

Go back to the shop, ask them recheck for the noise? Since it will be on their lift (take advantage of this, it's much easier than jacking it up yourself), spin the rear wheels and listen closely. Use a long screwdriver held to your ear as a stethoscope.