HQuakers
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- South Jersey
So I keep getting this intermittent howling/growling sound coming from the the front center/passenger side of the car as soon as I hit 55-60mph, and it continues up to 70mph (haven't gone faster than this). I'd say it sounds like when you hit the rumble strips on the side of the highway, only quieter. There's a slight vibration with the sound, which is felt in my seat the most. It comes and goes when I'm in the 55-70mph range, and seems to do it at random i.e. speeding up/slowing down or turning the steering wheel doesn't do anything.
Causes that I have ruled out:
- Front Shocks: New one's put on since sound--no change.
- Front pass. wheel bearing: New one put on since sound--no change.
- Front brakes: New pads/rotors put on since sound--no change.
- Exhaust hitting crossmember: All exhaust hangers are in good shape and there's plenty of clearance.
- Alignment: Alignment done since sound--no change.
- Tie rod/track bar: New beefy units put in since sound--no change.
- Lower control arms: Bushings are great. Has aftermarket fixed arms like Rough Country.
Things that I think it may be:
- Tires out of balance.
- Engine issue (slight misfire at idle that I'm chasing, but still runs just fine overall)
- Transmission issue (when I press in the clutch, sound remains. I do believe I have loose flywheel-crank bolts/loose pressure plate bolts as I get a separate metal rattling sound coming specifically from the transmission)
- Front diff: I opened up the fill plug and the fluid was pretty sludgy. Maybe incorrect front/rear gearing. I was also told the front/rear has 3.73s, but I don't know how much merit this holds as a lot of the mods done previously were done half-assed, and the seller said it had a D35 in the rear when it's clearly an 8.25. I do get 17-18mpg in mixed driving on 32s, so I don't think it still has the 3.07s in it.
- Major exhaust leak that I can't see
It's driving me nuts, especially since I have to drive on the highway 80 miles twice a week. I have to turn up the radio because it sounds like something is going to blow up and scares the crap outta me.
Causes that I have ruled out:
- Front Shocks: New one's put on since sound--no change.
- Front pass. wheel bearing: New one put on since sound--no change.
- Front brakes: New pads/rotors put on since sound--no change.
- Exhaust hitting crossmember: All exhaust hangers are in good shape and there's plenty of clearance.
- Alignment: Alignment done since sound--no change.
- Tie rod/track bar: New beefy units put in since sound--no change.
- Lower control arms: Bushings are great. Has aftermarket fixed arms like Rough Country.
Things that I think it may be:
- Tires out of balance.
- Engine issue (slight misfire at idle that I'm chasing, but still runs just fine overall)
- Transmission issue (when I press in the clutch, sound remains. I do believe I have loose flywheel-crank bolts/loose pressure plate bolts as I get a separate metal rattling sound coming specifically from the transmission)
- Front diff: I opened up the fill plug and the fluid was pretty sludgy. Maybe incorrect front/rear gearing. I was also told the front/rear has 3.73s, but I don't know how much merit this holds as a lot of the mods done previously were done half-assed, and the seller said it had a D35 in the rear when it's clearly an 8.25. I do get 17-18mpg in mixed driving on 32s, so I don't think it still has the 3.07s in it.
- Major exhaust leak that I can't see
It's driving me nuts, especially since I have to drive on the highway 80 miles twice a week. I have to turn up the radio because it sounds like something is going to blow up and scares the crap outta me.