Road noise or wheel bearing noise?

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by sniwallof, Jul 22, 2019.

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  1. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    OK, here is my unscientific search through the forum to look for a pattern.
    These people have reported wheel bearing replacements / fixes:

    @AnthonyW (no indication as to which one)
    @Hypomania (right front)
    @PascoClarity (right front)
    @MDClarity07 (right front)
    @tterag (left front, but subsequently found bad ECVT mount so may have been a false replacement)
    @HEEKANG OH Reported symptoms, but did not report back on resolution (if any)

    Maybe not enough statistics to declare a pattern, but seems suspicious.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2019
    sniwallof, KentuckyKen and 2002 like this.
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  3. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    If you have time, I think a review and compilation of some of these issues would be useful (I see you already did it, thanks!). If I have early indications of a wheel bearing problem (completely unclear so far), it is the front passenger wheel.

    I will take some pictures next time I take the wheel off. From what I remember the nut has a bendable part around the circumference that gets tapped (bent) into a single slot on the threaded part of the axle.

    The bearing itself is less than $50, and the bearing along with the hub that carries the studs is just over $100 (both genuine Honda parts). I'm half tempted to change mine, even if for nothing more than a science/shop project. The problem is that to do a really professional job, as far as I can tell so far, it takes a press to remove the bearing in two steps, for some reason, first the center, then the outer part. Also, less of a concern, it takes removing three, probably castle nuts, to entirely remove the arm in which the wheel bearing resides, also the brake assembly, and the brake anti-lock sensor cable. There is no alignment, but I guess some damage, or problems, could occur if the new wheel bearing does not go straight in, doing some minor damage if replaced at a slight angle.

    OTOH, I suppose being very low milage, my parts might come apart more easily compared to a bearing replacement on a well rusted 10 year old car.

    I watched a few youtube videos showing a wheel bearing replacement on an Accord. One fellow used a shop press (a small commercial auto mechanic operation), the other just tapped it out using a large socket (32 or 36 mm) with a 5 lb hammer on the floor. (funny, reminds me of a study I heard about recently on how people who watch a Youtube video then think they can do the same project, but I did change an axle some years back, and on occasion, I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express :) [old ad where folks could do anything after staying at that hotel chain]).
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2019
  4. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    If it were me, since the car is under warranty, I would just continue along. If it is indeed a wheel bearing, it will continue to degrade until it becomes clear enough for the dealer to recognise. I can't imagine a mechanism that would result in a sudden (and possibly dangerous) failure, so it seems like waiting is a reasonable strategy. Of course, this makes the most sense if you are driving around locally. If you are heading out on a 1,000 mile road trip, then maybe you need to think twice !
     
    2002 likes this.
  5. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    No imminent 1,000 mile trips on the schedule, moving back towards the leave it alone suggestion.

    Maybe there is one thing that would be relatively easy to do, to loosen the nut, then re-torque it (OTOH, possibly less useful if the damage is already done, and it might show (leave marks where the bent part locks into the slot) if a later warranty repair is requested, which again leans towards "leave it alone").

    If someone does one of those one-day Honda service logins, it would be great to get the pdfs for the wheel bearing replacement procedure, plus any related disassembly instructions.
     
  6. tterag

    tterag Member

    You may be able to add me to the right front wheel bearing. They are replacing that today or tomorrow before going to a bigger fix. The bigger fix is replacing the entire ECVT/Generator/Engine system. The corp. Honda tech did a half-shaft exchange last week after the local Honda tech had replaced the ECVT mounts. The biggest problem I've had is that the local tech has never really been able to hear or feel it (hearing damage?). Four weeks ago I finally decided to leave the car until it was fixed which precipitated the corporate tech being requested who thankfully has a wife with a Clarity and noticed within one mile that the car wasn't right.
     
    KentuckyKen likes this.
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  8. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    @tterag - Just to clarify...
    Are you now saying there is a chance that your problem could have been a wheel bearing all along, and all of this ECVT / Mount stuff was totally irrelevant?

    Since the wheel bearing is an "easy" repair, I assume you will know pretty quickly. By all means, please keep us updated on this issue. I will be happy to definitively add you to the problem list !
     
  9. tterag

    tterag Member

    This has been an ongoing saga since Feb. for some reason after replacing the drivers side bearing the local tech eliminated the passenger side and the half shaft carrier bearings. I begged them to at least replace the passenger side first as it would be the cheaper fix. I knew it wasn’t mount related but wasn’t getting anywhere. I decided to leave the car and had them give me a loaner until the noise was gone. Considering some of the speed related characteristics, I think there is still a chance it’s the drive pulley bearing but will know for sure about wheel bearing tomorrow. I updated my original thread with current happening.
     
  10. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    That sounds really expensive for Honda. Isn't that kind of repair the equivalent of a totaled car? At that point, it probably makes more sense to just give you a new one and call it a day! Unless, it turns out it was the passenger side front wheel bearing.
     
  11. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    Another member has reported a confirmed wheel bearing problem...

    Here is an update to the list of confirmed bearing problems:

    @AnthonyW (no indication of which one)
    @Hypomania (right front)
    @PascoClarity (right front)
    @MDClarity07 (right front)
    @Groves Cooke (left front)

    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)
     
    2002 likes this.
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  13. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    See the other thread on bearing failure. The noise in mine was quite noticeable. It did not come on gradually but suddenly about 4 weeks ago. Service manager took a ride and agreed it was a wheel bearing, another visit to put the car on a lift and confirm that the left bearing was failing. Last week, for some reason they replaced the right bearing. Today they replace the left bearing and all is well and quiet.
     
  14. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    Another member has reported a failed bearing. List below updated:

    @AnthonyW (no indication of which one)
    @Hypomania (right front)
    @PascoClarity (right front)
    @MDClarity07 (right front)
    @Groves Cooke (left front)
    @Exro (left front)

    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)
     
    KentuckyKen likes this.
  15. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    Yet another confirmed wheel bearing failure reported today. List below updated:

    @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)

    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)
     
  16. Stormtrooper

    Stormtrooper New Member

    Well, after 18 reliable months with my Clarity, it appears that a wheel bearing noise is coming from the left front area. The noise started a few days ago and it is most noticeable at speeds between 35-65 mph. I'm hoping to take the car in next week to have it checked out.
     
  17. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    Ugh.
    Please keep us posted, and I'll add you to the list of 'victims' if necessary !
    In another thread, we have identified that the front bearings (and possibly hubs) are common with the CRV and HRV. At least there is some comfort that these parts are (and will continue to be) readily available because they are shared with these high-volume vehicles.
     
  18. Considering it's the same part, I wonder if the weight difference is part of the problem...
     
  19. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

    I’m getting the wa-wa-wa noise now that’s just starting to be audible on smooth roads and is timed with wheel rotation. If it’s still there on Monday after I change to my winter tires, I’ll assume it’s a wimpy wheel bearing. 18 months and 12,000 miles.
     
  20. Stormtrooper

    Stormtrooper New Member

    @MrFixit :) Will do! 18 months with 18,000 miles and I can't believe the wheel bearings may be failing. Good to know about the CRV/HRV experiencing the same issue.
     
  21. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    Just to clarify, I haven't seen any evidence that the CRV/HRV are experiencing premature failures. Maybe it's worth some googling to see.
    It is just nice that the Clarity uses the same part number because they will be easier to get.

    It is possible that the Clarity is overstressing these parts because it weighs more (4,000 vs. 3,400 lb), but I'm not sure that explains it.
     
  22. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    That’s only a 600 lb difference spread over 4 wheels which doesn’t seem like a lot assuming that weight distributions are appropriately the same.
    I’d suspect it’s a new lot or they changed suppliers and there’s a QC issue since I haven’t heard of any CR-Vs having bearing problems. But at this point who really knows. Our forum is just anecdotal and not statistically representative but still, it seems like we have a troubling number of front wheel bearings failing.

    Many thanks to @MrFixit for keeping track of this for us.

    Anybody know the F/R weight distribution on the Clarity vs. the CR-V/HRV? We have the electric motor and associated stuff added under the hood. Is that enough to make a difference or is it just inferior quality bearings?
     
  23. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    Google is your friend...
    There are a variety of CRV's ranging from a curb weight of 3300 to 3500.
    With the AWD CRV, the weight distribution is identical to the Clarity:

    upload_2019-11-3_15-32-4.png

    So, the Clarity has 1155 lb per front wheel, and the CRV has 997.
    (curb weight, no passengers). Thus the load on the front wheels is 16% higher than the CRV
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2019
    KentuckyKen likes this.

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