Pulsating Droning noise, sounds like bearing

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by tterag, Feb 16, 2019.

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  1. victor_2019

    victor_2019 Active Member

    That's right.

    But to be fair most of the time i drive in EV and econ mode , it's only running the engine on long highway trips and then i use cruise control and don't accelerate fast.
     
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  3. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

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  4. tterag

    tterag Member

    They ordered just the transmission which is labeled repeatedly as "transmission (e-CVT)" on all the docs they've shown me. He also showed me what he'd be doing to install the new one and it decouples at the engine where there is a flywheel which I believe is also getting replaced.

    I'm very ready to have my Clarity back. The 2018 Accord Sport they've loaned me is very much NOT a Clarity in comfort.
     
  5. craze1cars

    craze1cars Well-Known Member

    Understood and I wish you all the best resolution. Selfishly I’m seeing this as a learning opportunity. I consider myself much a mechanical car expert, but I’m admittedly a bit confused on some things about how this car works, especially from a “transmission” perspective, what the heck they’re actually doing to yours to fix it, etc....

    When it’s all said and done I’d LOVE to see the final warranty service ticket which will shed a whole bunch of light on what’s going on!

    More importantly you need your dang car fixed!! And I totally respect and empathize with that...
     
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  6. Robert_Alabama

    Robert_Alabama Well-Known Member

    @tterag, I too am sorry you have had to go through this. Thank you for such diligence in letting us know about your situation. It very well may help someone else to diagnose this if it crops up again. I sincerely hope that this fixes your issues for good and that you get the car back soon. Best Wishes.
     
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  8. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Car & Driver came up with a great explanation back when Honda first unveiled their i-MMD replacement for IMA. I like telling people there are no belts under the hood of my Clarity PHEV, not even in the eCVT transmission.
     
  9. craze1cars

    craze1cars Well-Known Member

    That is very interesting...and digging deeper that unit is the exact same shape as the “flywheel case” in this section which shows some of the components in and about it...
    https://www.hondapartsnow.com/parts-list/2018-honda-clarity-plug-in-hybrid-4dr-trng-clarity-phev-ka-cvt/at-flywheel-case.html

    And yet further digging into “clutch”, “differential”, etc reveal additional parts without cases. So I am starting to assume many of those such parts itemized out are all within this same Flywheel case, and as a whole Honda is calling thar fully loaded flywheel case a ecvt. Possibly not available/discontinued as an assembly for parts counter purchase because Honda is protecting their technology from the competition’s prying eyes, but obviously Honda can send a whole assembly to one of their own dealers for warranty repair.

    With supposedly 4 sets of gearsets within, I can easily see how one that was assembled with one gear lash shimmed slightly off, one gear or bearing with a flat spot or rough tooth or other slight manufacturing flaw, or whatever, would easily cause the described problem. I’ve rebuilt old school rear differentials several times and they can do some strange harmonic whining at different speeds if done ever so slightly out of perfection....

    Lots of assumptions, but until I have an opportunity to see one of these drivetrains disassembled all over a shop floor and workbench, which will likely never happen since I’m out of that scene forever, my assumptions will have to suffice.

    And Insightman, that was a good read...I had not seen it before. Thanks! Some pieces are coming together...it’s largely a terminology thing.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
  10. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    This annotated cut-away photo of a 2014 Accord Hybrid's i-MMD guts shows how elegant and compact Honda's system is. The photo doesn't show the differential, but I expect the differential is like most other Honda front-wheel drive differentials.
     
  11. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    My car has just under 16,000 miles on it. This morning on the way to the office I heard a noise which seems similar to this. Going to go visit the dealer tomorrow and have them listen. Hope to print the applicable posts here to take to them. This is the first problem I have experienced with this car.
     
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  13. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    Took my car to the dealer yesterday. Tech guy rode around with me and agreed that there is a noise that is not supposed to be there. He thinks it is the right wheel bearing. Taking the car in on Sept 16 so they can do some diagnostic work. @tterag, have you had the eCVT replaced yet?
     
  14. Give this a try.

    Remove the plastic wheel covers and see if the noise goes away. I noticed when I was cleaning the car this morning that they move when I clean them. Makes me wonder of they resonate at certain speeds if not on tight.
     
  15. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    Checked my wheel covers. They seem to be tight. Have appointment this Monday (9/16). Will give update. I really don't expect the problem to be resolved on Monday.
     
  16. MrFixit

    MrFixit Well-Known Member

    @Groves Cooke -
    We have been anxiously awaiting the outcome of your potential bearing problem... Any new news?
     
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  17. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    I have been to the dealer 3 times. The first a ride with the head mechanic - he agreed that the noise was in the drive chain and most likely a wheel bearing. The second visit, they put the car on a lift and diagnosed the problem as a wheel bearing. The third visit they replace the right wheel bearing. Noise was still there. I have an appointment tomorrow to replace the left wheel bearing and an 'inner' bearing. Will post back the results.
     
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  18. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

    Find out what the “ inner bearing” is. The parts diagrams show only a half shaft bearing, in addition to the wheel bearing. If they are replacing that, I’d be surprised if they don’t just install a new half shaft.
     
  19. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    "The parts diagrams show only a half shaft bearing"

    I think that is it. Will ask tomorrow.
     
  20. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    Car is fixed! Last week the dealer replaced the right wheel bearing with no change in the noise. Today they replaced the left wheel bearing and noise is gone! Guess that is why the write 'YES' and 'NO' on your knees when they are doing a knee replacement.
     
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  21. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

    Thanks for reporting back. Bummer it took so many trips. I fear all these wheel bearing replacements will lead to reliability questions.
     
  22. megreyhair

    megreyhair Active Member

    @Groves Cooke... That's the same reason why my friend replaced both knees at the same time :) THis does bother me that the bearing went out so quickly. I had cars that lasted over 10 years and 100k without any bearing issue. I had German cars and we all know they don't last ! I hope this is not a design or defect.
     
  23. Exro

    Exro New Member

    I had the same problem with my 2018 Clarity with 10,800 miles. Took it in yesterday, Tech heard the noise replaced both the wheel bearing and the wheel hub. Problem is resolved. They decided to do the hub too since the bearing was bad and felt it could have damaged the hub. Under warranty, the fix was about $450.00. I am happy with the result so far. They told me that the wheel assembly could have been damaged in transit!!!!
     

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