Rep Power: 0

My 95 Civic that I just purchased a week or two ago (knowing it had issues) has a rotational noise that sounds like mud tires. The noise starts at around 25 mph and increases with speed. Sounds like it is coming from front end, but I could be wrong. There's no vibration or play in the steering wheel; in fact, you can let go of the steering wheel at 80 mph and it stays straight. There's also very little to no change in the noise when turning the wheel - it's hard to tell, honestly, because sometimes it seems like there is a change, other times not. If there is a change, it is a very slight one.

What it isn't:
Tires (brand new ones put on it with no change in the noise)

Front Driver's Side Wheel Bearing - I had my mechanic put a new one in it, although he insisted it wasn't the wheel bearing, as there is no 12 to 6 play in the wheel when on jacks. That still doesn't mean it isn't the passenger side, but I took his advice at the time, although I don't think he is very knowledgeable.

The mechanic seems to think it is a bearing in the transmission (automatic), but I am doubting it since the noise has no change when you go to neutral. Is the transmission still a possible cause? It is in otherwise good working order - shifts strong, doesn't slip.

Any help is greatly appreciated, as I bought this car as a gas saver to drive back and forth to work (1 hour commute), and the noise is about to give me a nervous breakdown.

Thanks in advance!

 
Rep Power: 518

Stethoscope it.


Leave it running on the hoist in the air, wheels spinning, (have someone in the car to push the gas pedal if necessary to hold it at 40-50 MPH, wherever the noise is loudest) and stethoscope the wheel bearings and trans in the air.

 
Rep Power: 0

Unfortunately, I don't think my mechanic is bright enough for that. It took him all day to change the one wheel bearing, and he didn't show much interest in trying to find the noise. I don't plan on taking it back to him.

Mechanics in my area suck in general. Every one I've called or visited hasn't expressed much interest in actually finding the problem.

 
Rep Power: 518

Sad, isn't it?


I can't tell where you are at...
Try this shop finder? (No guarantees LOL)
http://autorepair.iatn.net/

 
Rep Power: 0

It's very sad. Thanks for the link; I'll check that out.

Below is a video of the noise if anyone can give me some opinions on the noise.

 
Rep Power: 518

I put headphones on to hear that... Sounds damn annoying.

Turn your head sideways, is the noise coming from the front or the rear?

If you swerve hard left and right, does the noise change?


Man, that should be easy to find.

 
Rep Power: 0

Almost positive it's coming from the front. And no change when swerving to left and right.

 
Rep Power: 518

Seems as though the next step would be what I suggested in my first reply:

Let me add a thought here,
Does this drivetrain use an intermediate shaft? (I'm thinking no?)
While it is in the air with tires spinning and making the noise: slow it down to half of what your speed was a minute ago....... Now stop a wheel from spinning (use a tool, do not try to stop it with your hands!) See if the noise changes. Then do the same with the other wheel, see if the noise changes.