Road noise or wheel bearing noise?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sniwallof
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sniwallof said:
I think my ride is getting a little noisier (in EV mode, engine off), especially around 40 - 55 mph, but I can't seem to figure out if it is just road noise or something like a wheel bearing.

I have to get one those rubber adapters for my floor jack (still have just the Bolt jacking parts). Once I can jack it, can you hear or feel anything specific to a wheel bearing problem by just lifting the car so the tire is just off the ground and free rotating a wheel?

Unfortunately, I don't think I hear it at slow speed. Maybe that points to road noise?
Click to expand...
 
Having owned our Clarity for over a year, we think our Clarity is the best car ever, but in the past month or two, it has developed an unusual sound everytime we drive it. This sound occurs in Eco with full or partial traction battery charge. It also occurs if I switch into neutral while moving. It sounds like the ICE is throttling but it is not running. No fuel used and no panel indication of ICE running. This occurs and can be heard every time the car is coasting or slowing down WITHOUT applying brake or using Regen paddles, or during acceleration. Over the past year during both summer and winter driving in PA, this has NEVER occured. We are quite familiar with the expected ICE running under a variety of situations, but this is not one of them. The ICE is NOT running, just sounds like throttling, but ALL the time, no matter what mode we are in.
I have also wondered if it could be a wheel bearing, but we only have 4,800 miles on the car. A little soon for a wheel bearing problem. Any thoughts you might have would be greatly appreciated since I'm sure that our dealer would be completely clueless. I have thoriughly studied everything I can find out about the technology in the Clarity, both before we bought it and ever since. (I like to know how things work.) Thanks in advance for any insight you or anyone else can provide.
 
sniwallof said:
I think my ride is getting a little noisier (in EV mode, engine off), especially around 40 - 55 mph, but I can't seem to figure out if it is just road noise or something like a wheel bearing.

I have to get one those rubber adapters for my floor jack (still have just the Bolt jacking parts). Once I can jack it, can you hear or feel anything specific to a wheel bearing problem by just lifting the car so the tire is just off the ground and free rotating a wheel?

Unfortunately, I don't think I hear it at slow speed. Maybe that points to road noise?
Click to expand...
 
@Dusty -
Let me ask for a couple of clarifications.

I think you are saying that this sound goes away when you use the regen paddle, or apply the brake?
Also not there when accelerating...

Are you also saying that the noise is NOT there when you decelerate just by releasing the throttle (not in neutral)? The distinction is that releasing the throttle also applies some regeneration (albeit less than application of the paddle).

Also, please comment as to whether the sound changes pitch as the vehicle slows.

Is the noise "obvious" enough that the dealer would acknowledge that there is something wrong if you demonstrated this to him, or is it more subtle than that?
 
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Dusty it sounds like the noise is noticeable and repeatable. If so, then you need to bring it in for diagnostic and let them figure out what’s wrong. You’ll have a far better chance of them identifying a noticeable and repeatable problem than trying to explain it to people on the internet who can’t hear it. It seems you don’t trust your dealer mechanics for some reason, however in my opinion you have no alternative but to extend some trust to them. Or if you have had a previous bad experience with a certain Honda technician or service dept, request a different tech or go to a different Honda dealer.
 
Knowing the VIN or the month of manufacture of the vehicles which have experienced a bearing failure may be useful info.
 
MrFixit said:
@Dusty -
Let me ask for a couple of clarifications.

I think you are saying that this sound goes away when you use the regen paddle, or apply the brake?
Also not there when accelerating...

Are you also saying that the noise is NOT there when you decelerate just by releasing the throttle (not in neutral)? The distinction is that releasing the throttle also applies some regeneration (albeit less than application of the paddle).

Also, please comment as to whether the sound changes pitch as the vehicle slows.

Is the noise "obvious" enough that the dealer would acknowledge that there is something wrong if you demonstrated this to him, or is it more subtle than that?
Click to expand...
Sound is there all the time, braking, or not braking, regen or no regen paddles, accelerating or decelerating, or in neutral. Sound is louder as the car is going faster, but the pitch does not change. No thumping or grinding, just a steady "growling type" sound.
 
craze1cars said:
Dusty it sounds like the noise is noticeable and repeatable. If so, then you need to bring it in for diagnostic and let them figure out what’s wrong. You’ll have a far better chance of them identifying a noticeable and repeatable problem than trying to explain it to people on the internet who can’t hear it. It seems you don’t trust your dealer mechanics for some reason, however in my opinion you have no alternative but to extend some trust to them. Or if you have had a previous bad experience with a certain Honda technician or service dept, request a different tech or go to a different Honda dealer.
Click to expand...
Good point. I do plan to go to our Honda dealer.
 
Dusty said:
Sound is there all the time, braking, or not braking, regen or no regen paddles, accelerating or decelerating, or in neutral. Sound is louder as the car is going faster, but the pitch does not change. No thumping or grinding, just a steady "growling type" sound.
Click to expand...

FWIW this description sounds like a typical wheel bearing failure, much more so than your earlier description. But again the actual noise is far more valuable than words describing it. So mechanic needs to test drive. Good news is wheel bearings are routine for any mechanic to diagnose and repair. Bring it in as you plan, I doubt you will have any issues with the dealer or the repair. The challenge is sometimes identifying which wheel as sound carries very oddly thru a car when inside it. This results in the occasional situation of replacing one bearing in error, no change in noise ok test drive, and then replacing another which is the actual bad bearing. Regardless it’s slam dunk warranty repair so just take it in and get er dun.
 
craze1cars said:
FWIW this description sounds like a typical wheel bearing failure, much more so than your earlier description. But again the actual noise is far more valuable than words describing it. So mechanic needs to test drive. Good news is wheel bearings are routine for any mechanic to diagnose and repair. Bring it in as you plan, I doubt you will have any issues with the dealer or the repair. The challenge is sometimes identifying which wheel as sound carries very oddly thru a car when inside it. This results in the occasional situation of replacing one bearing in error, no change in noise ok test drive, and then replacing another which is the actual bad bearing. Regardless it’s slam dunk warranty repair so just take it in and get er dun.
Click to expand...
Have an appointment with our Honda dealer tomorrow. I'm guessing from what has been discussed that it is indeed a wheel bearing. Will hopefully find out tomorrow.
 
I have been reading your posts and also have a wheel bearing problem at just under 5,000 miles. But mine is the left REAR wheel bearing. It did not sound like another wheel bearing issue I had years ago on another car, but it is indeed a bearing failure. I have discussed this on another thread, but thought it made sense to post it here too. I am attaching a link to an audio file I made of the sound from my failed left rear wheel bearing. Hearing it is much better than trying to describe it. The recording was made in Econ/EV mode (engine off) from about 35 to 45 mph.

Here is the link to the audio file;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c0fydB-xYLfOI96CcsPuxNWUcylmGA9V/view?usp=drivesdk
 
Dusty said:
I have been reading your posts and also have a wheel bearing problem at just under 5,000 miles. But mine is the left REAR wheel bearing. It did not sound like another wheel bearing issue I had years ago on another car, but it is indeed a bearing failure. I have discussed this on another thread, but thought it made sense to post it here too. I am attaching a link to an audio file I made of the sound from my failed left rear wheel bearing. Hearing it is much better than trying to describe it. The recording was made in Econ/EV mode (engine off) from about 35 to 45 mph.

Here is the link to the audio file;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c0fydB-xYLfOI96CcsPuxNWUcylmGA9V/view?usp=drivesdk
Click to expand...
By-The-Way, for those tracking date of manufacture vs. bearing failure, our Clarity was manufactured on 4/18.
 
Dusty said:
I have been reading your posts and also have a wheel bearing problem at just under 5,000 miles. But mine is the left REAR wheel bearing. It did not sound like another wheel bearing issue I had years ago on another car, but it is indeed a bearing failure. I have discussed this on another thread, but thought it made sense to post it here too. I am attaching a link to an audio file I made of the sound from my failed left rear wheel bearing. Hearing it is much better than trying to describe it. The recording was made in Econ/EV mode (engine off) from about 35 to 45 mph.

Here is the link to the audio file;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c0fydB-xYLfOI96CcsPuxNWUcylmGA9V/view?usp=drivesdk
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting the audio file. That was very helpful.
 
@Dusty just reported a confirmed bearing failure. I believe this is the first example of a rear bearing failure reported here.
Thanks for including the audio... I believe failed bearings can have different audio signatures, but this certainly demonstrates what it could sound like.

Another note - We have learned that the Clarity uses the same front bearing (and Hub) as the Honda HRV. This is good from the standpoint of future part availability. I have not been able to find any such commonality with the rear bearings, so they may be Clarity-specific...

@Dusty - Has your vehicle been repaired? or will there be a delay before a new part can be obtained? Did your dealer convey any information about part availability or commonality with other vehicles?

Thanks for reporting your experiences here !

List below updated as of 11/29/2019:

@AnthonyW (no indication of which one)
@Hypomania (right front)
@PascoClarity (right front)
@MDClarity07 (right front)
@Groves Cooke (left front)
@Exro (left front)
@FtbChrisBs (left front)
@Dusty (left rear) - Manufacture Date 4/2018

Here are a couple that are unconfirmed, or initially misdiagnosed:

@HEEKANG OH Reported symptoms, but did not report back on resolution (if any)
@tterag (initially suspected left front, but turned out to be bad transmission after much agony diagnosing it)
 
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MrFixit said:
@Dusty just reported a confirmed bearing failure. I believe this is the first example of a rear bearing failure reported here.
Thanks for including the audio... I believe failed bearings can have different audio signatures, but this certainly demonstrates what it could sound like.

Another note - We have learned that the Clarity uses the same front bearing (and Hub) as the Honda HRV. This is good from the standpoint of future part availability. I have not been able to find any such commonality with the rear bearings, so they may be Clarity-specific...

@Dusty - Has your vehicle been repaired? or will there be a delay before a new part can be obtained? Did your dealer convey any information about part availability or commonality with other vehicles?

Thanks for reporting your experiences here !

List below updated as of 11/29/2019:

@AnthonyW (no indication of which one)
@Hypomania (right front)
@PascoClarity (right front)
@MDClarity07 (right front)
@Groves Cooke (left front)
@Exro (left front)
@FtbChrisBs (left front)
@Dusty (left rear) - Manufacture Date 4/2018

Here are a couple that are unconfirmed, or initially misdiagnosed:

@HEEKANG OH Reported symptoms, but did not report back on resolution (if any)
@tterag (initially suspected left front, but turned out to be bad transmission after much agony diagnosing it)
Click to expand...
Parts were ordered today (Friday 11/29) and will be installed next Tuesday (12/03). I don't know if any commonlity with other models. I'll see if I can find out and report back here.
 
Just got back from the Honda dealer and the car is running quiet again. They however did misinformed me oh, it was not a rear bearing it was the front left bearing. Of course all done on warranty and sounds great again.
MrFixit, you may want to revise your tally of wheel bearing failures and change mind from rear left to front left. The repair just took under two hours while we waited so we did not need a loaner car. They seemed extremely knowledgeable and friendly which was a plus. It was however the first Clarity that they had worked on.
 
List below updated as of 12/3/2019, (corrected position of @Dusty failure):
(Note - Nobody has reported a rear bearing failure to date)

@AnthonyW (no indication of which one)
@Hypomania (right front)
@PascoClarity (right front)
@MDClarity07 (right front)
@Groves Cooke (left front)
@Exro (left front)
@FtbChrisBs (left front)
@Dusty (left front) - Manufacture Date 4/2018

Here are a couple that are unconfirmed, or initially misdiagnosed:

@HEEKANG OH Reported symptoms, but did not report back on resolution (if any)
@tterag (initially suspected left front, but turned out to be bad transmission after much agony diagnosing it)
 
MrFixit said:
List below updated as of 12/3/2019, (corrected position of @Dusty failure):
(Note - Nobody has reported a rear bearing failure to date)

@AnthonyW (no indication of which one)
@Hypomania (right front)
@PascoClarity (right front)
@MDClarity07 (right front)
@Groves Cooke (left front)
@Exro (left front)
@FtbChrisBs (left front)
@Dusty (left front) - Manufacture Date 4/2018

Here are a couple that are unconfirmed, or initially misdiagnosed:

@HEEKANG OH Reported symptoms, but did not report back on resolution (if any)
@tterag (initially suspected left front, but turned out to be bad transmission after much agony diagnosing it)
Click to expand...

Right front. Manufacture Date 04/2018.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
List below updated as of 12/5/2019, (added position of @AnthonyW failure):
(Note - Nobody has reported a rear bearing failure to date)

@AnthonyW (right front) - Manufacture Date 4/2018
@Hypomania (right front)
@PascoClarity (right front)
@MDClarity07 (right front)
@Groves Cooke (left front)
@Exro (left front)
@FtbChrisBs (left front)
@Dusty (left front) - Manufacture Date 4/2018

Here are a couple that are unconfirmed, or initially misdiagnosed:

@HEEKANG OH Reported symptoms, but did not report back on resolution (if any)
@tterag (initially suspected left front, but turned out to be bad transmission after much agony diagnosing it)
 
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