Worn or damaged shafts. This usually gives the technician an idea of whereto look. You can remedy axle seal failure by pulling out the damaged seal using a seal puller and replacing it. In this type of wear, scallops or dips are formed around the tread indicating an out of balance wheel, but are more often a sign that you need to replace worn shock absorbers or other suspension components. To do this, you need to lift the car. admin Noises that are only audible at highway speeds may change when youre switching lanes or making a long, sweeping turn. The noise increases when driving at high speed while engaging in turns. The drivetrain includes the transmission. Youll hear it match the acceleration of the vehicle. RECALLS! It picks up at the exact point where you can see what cupped tread looks like. If this sound is not limited to passing the first gear and keep going when you drive and shift other gears. All the indicators on the instrument panel were . Less common cause is failing transmission. Feb 27, 2023. Clunking or rattling. We always perform a final test drive after the work is completed to be sure the problem is resolved. If it is even a little bit out of alignment, itll be enough to cause a whining noise. When the wheel bearing rotates, there is high friction. chevy sonic humming noise. Grinding or Humming. Next, well bring the car into the shop and elevate the entire car. Gear slippage. A humming sound heard at idle has to be something that moves even while the car doesnt. Repetitive squeaking indicates the belt is not running true, and prolonged squealing means that the belt is overheating. 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. And though the leak could be coming from other car fluids, you may know if the low transmission fluid is the cause through these symptoms: Having low transmission fluid can be caused by: If the issue is with the torque converter or a damaged transmission gasket, you should replace them with new ones. Save Share Reply Quote 1 - 5 of 5 Posts BadBowtie Registered Joined Apr 18, 2015 159 Posts Depending on where they are needed, they can be on the front or back of your Sonics wheels. Damage to the wheel bearing is not easy to notice in the preliminary stages, as the noise is barely noticeable. Going faster, the thump duration is shorter.) The common causes of uneven tire wear are unbalanced wheels, improper wheel alignment, overinflated or underinflated tires, and worn suspension or steering parts. Transmission gasket pan damage or failure. So we found the solution! If the play is clearly noticeable and visible, then the wheel bearing is very likely defective. Being a car enthusiast, Patrick has experience comprising of two decades in which he has ridden some of the meanest and strongest machines in the automotive industry. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This works on 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE SONIC ENGINE MOUNT REPLACEMENT FAST \u0026 EASY! Home Troubleshooting Chevy Sonic bad wheel bearings symptoms, causes and diagnosis. The most common causes for humming noise in Chevy Sonic at high speeds are bad wheel bearing, uneven tire wear and using tires with large tread blocks. 3. It does sound like a wheel bearing from your description. In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. If it didnt change, its likely a tire-related problem. It's when there is no play and the wheel bearing is bad that it is harder to diagnose. I have a 09 Chevy equinox fwd. Impacts of all kinds are much more damaging to bearings than the high loads. Chevy Cruz has a similar engine as well. Start by driving a few miles on the highway, and a few miles around town with the radio off and no one else in the car. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the humming noise issue for you. Tire cupping or scalloping is a type of uneven wear that is known to cause humming noise at high speeds, and is often mistaken for a bad wheel bearing. Often times well need to order parts before performing the repair. Brakes make a crunching or thumping noise when pressed when I start driving and takes a while to stop. A humming noise can be caused by a number of different systems in your vehicle. Heres how to diagnose a squeaky serpentine belt: ChrisFix(YouTube), Serpentine Belt Diagnosis (this site). Whining sound when car is in gear Inspection. In this case, the nature and intensity of the hum will change. Driving with a bad wheel bearing is very dangerous, especially if it is heavily worn. You can suspect fluid leakage and check for a trail underneath the car. 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. 2008-2009 Pontiac Montana SV6, Torrent. 2014 1.4 L turbo Chevy sonic squeaky squealing obnoxious sound diagnosis. You can have it fixed by mechanics or DIY it at home using vinegar. To clean the catalytic converter with sodium hydroxide, you'll first need to remove it from the vehicle. 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The entire weight of the vehicle rests on the bearings. Prices may vary depending on your location. A leak in the exhaust system can also cause the catalytic converter to overheat. The catalytic converter is located in the exhaust system and converts pollutants and toxic gases into less toxic gases. If it changes when revving your Sonics engine, the cause of the whining sound will most likely be an accessory bolted to the engine. Show example Chevrolet Sonic Hissing noise when brake pedal is depressed Inspection prices Brakes are the most important safety components on your vehicle. If the alternator is not working properly this could also cause humming noise. Driving a car that makes noise from the engine is a nuisance. Dont forget to like and subscribe! You can suspect fluid leakage and check for a trail underneath the car. Different model years have different coverages. Or, you may lose some functionality such as the power steering if the power steering pump fails, or air conditioning if the compressor fails. Less common cause is failing transmission. In addition, a damaged bearing is sometimes difficult to remove. A defective wheel bearing is a very common reason your Sonic will make a humming noise while driving. 2007-2010 Pontiac G5. Driving with tires that have rubber made especially for colder seasons on a warm road can emit a humming noise. However, the noise resembles more of a crackle and it can also be heard when you are in a turn. A damaged power steering pump can also be responsible for a humming noise. If it did, your car likely has a faulty wheel bearing. If the wheel has play when it is lifted up it will make narrowing the problem down really easy. If you see any flecks of metal on there, it will probably need to be serviced. Just started yesterday. Only the power steering pump will change with RPM or the steering wheel. It is more difficult to diagnose the condition of the wheel bearing for four-wheel-drive cars. In some cases, a glitch in the infotainment system or onboard computer system can cause the steering wheel buttons to stop working in Cobalt. 1. It can manifest as a knocking, whirring, clunking, vibrating, squealing, or whining noise that persists until the blower motor is replaced. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. If only the rear wheel bearings are defective, the vibration is mostly felt from under the seats. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Gear slippage is one of the symptoms of having low transmission fluid. Tires with large tread block pattern are known to be noisy on the highway. It may also be accompanied by the battery light, depending on whether or not it is putting out the proper voltage. The drivetrain includes the transmission, drive axles, carrier bearings, and wheel bearings. A bad bearing can also cause uneven tires, issues with brakes, steering wheel vibration, and wobbly wheels at the worst. SOLVED! Why Do Blower Motors Fail? In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding whats happening in the automotive industry. The vehicle was taken to dyer Chevrolet (4200 us-1, fort, florida 34982, (772) 242-3116) where it was diagnosed that the engine cooling . Off-road and snow tread tires are notorious for making a loud humming sound. A bad differential could mean that the gears are worn out, which causes humming sounds. Therefore, the internal components must be lubricated with lubricants such as grease or oil to prevent overheating. Unbalanced wheels will vibrate when driving. However, if your car doesnt have a transmission dipstick, you should have it checked by professionals. Unbalanced tires. This could be a small leak in the exhaust system or air intake system. Alternator whine is a product of a drop in voltage between the radio and the alternator itself. 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. If you have difficulty changing gears, maybe shifting too late or even too soon, you might want to check the transmission fluid levels. 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. Images in mirrors look distorted at high speed. 0 % 30 % of the time it's the Low Oil Level or Pressure 0 % 27 % of the time it's the Ignition System 0 % 12 % of the time it's the Exhaust Leak 0 % 31 % of the time it's Something else Therefore, it is necessary to balance the wheels at a car workshop. A bad wheel bearing or suspension issue are the most common causes of humming when driving on the highway in the Chevy Sonic. Driving with a faulty CV joint can cause your CV joint to be completely damaged. Failure to install the bearings as per the manufacturers instructions will likely cause problems. Drive your car at the slowest speed it takes to reproduce the humming noise. As I go down the freeway, around 40-70 mph, I get a hum hum hum hum sound coming from the front, maybe the drivers side. For this, you should change the entire cluck kit, not just the bearing. These issues include a loosened steering belt and a misaligned steering wheel. A bad wheel bearing can cause vibrations in the steering wheel of Sonic, particularly if the front wheels are affected. Software glitch. 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. A humming noise is normal if youve recently replaced your Sonics tires with an aggressive tread. You may notice the noise only happens at idle or only happens at highway speed. None of these components fail due to any fault of the driver. If the cupping is on the outside tread, it still could be an alignment issue. If low-pitched humming noise is coming from under the body of your Chevy Sonic, through the floor, it could indicate a problem with the transmission. If your Chevy Sonic has a humming noise at high speed, it can be distracting and, depending on the cause, dangerous. Let the cat sit for 20 minutes or longer so the chemicals have time to work. There is an electric vacuum pump mounted to the firewall just below the brake booster. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. Worn bearings. If you are sure that the catalytic converter is the cause of the humming noises, you can either replace it or fix it without replacing it. So we went ahead and ordered the Mount set and installed it in less than 10 minutes! The whining sound should change when you turn your cars steering wheel or rev the engine. Driving your Sonic with a defective wheel bearing can be dangerous, so you must act urgently for your safety and driving comfort. Unevenly worn tire tread can also cause humming noise in Chevy Sonic. Check the fluid level and fill it back up to the factory fill line. Some all-terrain tires also make a lot of noise that is noticeable in the vehicles cabin. Driving your Chevy Sonic at highway or freeway speeds with humming noise is not only irritating, it can also be dangerous. These sounds become louder when accelerating. Can you tell if the noise is coming from the front or rear? Air escaping through a leak can also cause a distinct "humming" noise. If the steering system has issues, you will likely hear humming sounds. A defective wheel bearing is a very common reason your Sonic will make a humming noise while driving. If your Chevy Sonic is experiencing a whining noise, its is often going to be caused by something in the engine compartment. The wear of the rear axle reducer can be caused by a low oil level . If you experience this issue check the wheel bearing first because this is the most common cause. Generally, these issues don't show up suddenly. Off-road and snow tread tires are notorious for making a loud humming sound. That sound indicates that the serpentine belt isnt gripping the pulleys. Then grab the wheel with both hands at the opposite sides and alternately press and pull. A defective wheel bearing can be the cause of humming noise in your Chevy Sonic. The increased heat may break down and eventually expel the lubricant, leading to premature failure of the bearing. A noise you hear at idle and a noise you hear only while driving are two very different problems. Drive your car at the slowest speed it takes to reproduce the humming noise. High impacts on the bearings also occur on uneven roads or when driving through potholes. We are an open source collective powered by our users. Heres more from Atlantic Motor car on cupping. 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. Wheel bearings are safety-relevant components. When it goes bad, itll cause a high-pitched whine or squeak. At an advanced stage of internal deterioration, the defective wheel bearing can cause knocking or clunking noises, particularly when turning or cornering in your Chevy Sonic. You can easily replace damaged bearings without seeking professional help. JavaScript is disabled. Like in the case of a damaged wheel bearing and low transmission oil level, the sound is louder. Everything I read says check for play in the wheel from 12 to 6 o'clock, any other suggestions to find which wheel bearing it might be, or anything else to check? 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. When the belt becomes loosened, accelerating the car creates a humming sound. Weve outlined the most common reasons why a humming noise in your car gets louder with speed. O. Alexanders Import Auto Repair It seems like the humming noise you are hearing could be due to a bad wheel bearing on that side. Here is the link to the part on Amazon for $40 less then I bought 2 of them for! A bad serpentine belt is the most common reason a Chevy Sonic will make a whining noise. A humming noise is normal if youve recently replaced your Sonics tires with an aggressive tread. They develop over time as the result of poor maintenance, abuse, or high mileage. Theyre generally normal wear items that will wear as the car ages. Gen 7 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting, Gen 8 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting. Use the table above and noise recordings to make fixing your car easier. The first sign of faulty wheel bearing in your Sonic is obviously the humming noise. It can be hard to determine whether the humming sounds are caused by tire or wheel bearings. Join now! Push the accelerator pedal, gently raising the engine rpm. The most common causes for humming noise in Chevy Sonic at high speeds are bad wheel bearing, uneven tire wear and using tires with large tread blocks. 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. If that is the case you may want to contact the dealer and find out. Your Chevy Sonics starter may not fully engage with the flywheel/flexplate. 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. Second sign is that the noise changes when cornering, which varies depending on the steering angle and thereby increases or decreases: a hum when turning left, for example, usually indicates a defective wheel bearing on the right-hand side and vice versa. 1 Engine Noise problem of the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic Failure Date: 05/01/2018 When the car is first started and turned off, the horn goes off each time. It is to make sure that it is the source of the humming noises. Here is an excellent page with way more info on the subject. Difficulty shifting gears. It is simple. The likely cause of whining noise will be determined by when you hear the noise, and under what conditions With that in mind, this page is divided by when you hear the whining noise, and common causes under those conditions. I believe past 07' wheel bearings are covered under the 5 year/ 100000 mile warranty. Possible reasons for hum noise in the car. 2008-2012 GMC Acadia. If your serpentine belt looks cracked or glazed, replacing it is cheap and easy. There are many reasons why your Chevy Sonic is making humming noise at high speeds. If your Sonics stereo is making a whining noise, it is usually caused by an alternator whine condition. This is particularly true when you first start the vehicle. When looking for the reason, you should always start with the most obvious cause, faulty wheel bearing or damaged tire. We can expect some interesting, holistic, and pleasurable blogs with his flair for writing and his love for cars. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author. You can do this by using a dipstick. Poor installation. A failing alternator can also make your cars stereo hum while driving. Take a look behind the wheels. Many car problems create the humming sound, and knowing which problem youre dealing with is essential to fix it. Symptoms Grinding or humming noise Tires are balanced with wheel weights when a new tire is installed. Its not a breakdown risk, but you can still end up stranded if the wheel bearing or suspension component causing the hum fails. 2010-2012 GMC Terrain. Take a look behind the wheels. The first indication is the noise, which manifests in humming, squealing, or groaning sound, increasing with speed. With uneven tire wear, you may also notice: If your Sonics wheels are not correctly balanced, it can cause a humming noise when driving. The first thing to assess is where the noise is coming from. However, if it stays constant as you rev the engine, it will be something else. Therefore, all wheel bearings eventually fail. Jack up your Chevy Sonic until the wheel can move freely. Another simple method of checking if you have a bad wheel bearing is by jacking up the car. If it gets too low on fluid, itll whine a lot. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. Estimate. At a higher speed, the sound will be louder. 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. . Usually only happens when your Sonic is in gear. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. But its more likely your Chevy Sonic has a suspension problem. Elaborately designed seals ensure that neither water nor dirt can enter the wheel bearing. If there is, youre usually looking at a worn wheel bearing and not a bad tire. 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. Most of the humming sounds become louder when you accelerate. To determine if it is the power steering pump, turn the wheel left and right with the vehicle sitting. Transmissions.biz was formed in 2001 as a group of automobile enthusiasts who wanted a place to share knowledge. My Chevy Cruze 2014 has suddenly started having a humming noise, specially when accelerating between 35 and 60 miles, there seems to be no issue with the wheel bearing, I have just changed the water coolant outlet. Thanks. Thanks for letting us know how you made out. These contaminants circulate throughout the grease and between the races and the bearings accelerating the wear rate. A humming sound heard at idle has to be something that moves even while the car doesnt. This video is part of a series of videos here's the playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list. Right around the 35mph mark and up into the 60's and 70's it's OBVIOUS. Diagnostic Codes FAQ Any thoughts or advices? Lastly, always have your car serviced by reputable companies to avoid defective installment of components. This could be a small leak in the exhaust system or air intake system. There are usual noises that a car is expected to make. In order to locate and diagnose links that are loose, you can hoist your car or use a jack to lift it. In many cases, however, the noise builds up after a short time often after a few hundred miles. 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. Bad wheel bearings and bad tires have a similar sound. Chevy Sonic Humming Noise Getting Louder With Speed: How to Fix. An inner CV joint is a part of the transmission and its role is to send torque to the drive wheels. 2904 E 35th St Show example Chevrolet Sonic Whining sound when car is in gear Inspection prices. As long as you have the dipstick out, go ahead and check the transmission fluid color. If your Chevy Sonic has a humming noise at high speed, it can be distracting and, depending on the cause, dangerous. It's when there is no play and the wheel bearing is bad that it is harder to diagnose. 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. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. Tires that are cupped or scalloped have uneven tread wear across the tire. The catalytic converter is located between the muffler and the engine. If the noise worsens, its probably an issue with wheel bearings. You can diagnose the hoses by turning the steering wheel in one direction or another. 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. 2008-2010 Pontiac G3, G6, Vibe, Wave. Like in the case of a damaged wheel bearing and low transmission oil level, the sound is louder. If you hear gears grinding while shifting a manual transmission, you may have a problem . Home Troubleshooting Chevy Sonic makes humming noise at high speeds causes and how to fix it. 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. Hum in a CV joint can appear because: Humming noise can also be caused by a failing input shaft bearing located in the transmission, so the noise will be under the car, the higher the speed, the louder the hum. SEE, I think it's a 15 pin plug and two wires change on the plug fro 95 to. If you can do so where no other traffic is around, get the noise to happen, then steer the car side to side, not real quick but sort of like going through a slalom course. Bearing won't always have play yet it still is bad. The wheel bearings in Chevy Sonic are designed in such a way that they are absolutely maintenance-free. 2. Since the gear train has not been engaged in drive, it rules out all the other components. Tires are balanced with wheel weights when a new tire is installed. The faster you drive your vehicle, the louder the humming noise gets. With Sodium Hydroxide. Thats a great indication that it is probably the power steering pump making noise. Did the sound change as you moved the wheel? If you had the patience to read the entire article, you realized that there are quite a few parts that can cause humming noise. It would be best if you did not overlook the humming noises coming from the engine. Weve outlined the most common reasons why a humming noise in your car gets louder with speed. Generations 5 & 6 Malibu, Years 1997- 2007, Gen 5 & 6 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting. The worst case scenario for most parts is that too much wear will cause the part to fail. Glad I posted here, for some reason it didn't even dawn on me that they were covered under the power train warranty. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You can know your catalytic converter is bad through these symptoms: While the above symptoms could help you know whether the catalytic converter is bad, you need to inspect it physically. 97 it's a, I have a 2007 h3 hummer base model. Usually it doesn't happen unless the car has been driven some distance and is completely warmed up, with or without the a/c having been used. This could be a. 2014 1.4 L turbo Chevy sonic squeaky squealing obnoxious sound diagnosis. The wear of the rear axle reducer can be caused by a low oil level in the transmission or because the oil is worn, and if the transmission itself has problems.