'97 Accord Sounds

Background: I have a 1997 Accord 2.2L 4-cyl...new wheel bearings on the front. Boot covering the rack and pinion on the driver's side is ripped so the pinion is visible under the car and somewhat gritty in the grease.

Recently a noise sounding like it's coming somewhere under the driver's side floorboard...a "wa wa wa wa waa waaaa waaaaaa" when I decelerate (say that out loud really fast and you'll know what it sounds like).

Could this be an axle bearing or something else? The noise is worse on fast turns that puts the weight on the left side.

THANKS...

 

The boot on the rack should be repaired = clean out first.

As for the noise you're hearing, my first thought would be wheel bearing. How long have the wheel bearings been in and was there any problem with the installation that may leave the one on the left suspect of damage? You can raise that wheel and check it for play. No play is good, but it isn't altogether conclusive of no problem. A bearing in its early stages of failure can have a noise and still be tight.

Another possibility would be the CV on that side. If the joint was worn, there would be a problem - or if the suspension was worn, allowing a misalignment of the axle on that side.

Hope this helps,

Bob

 

Yes! That does help. Amazingly the CV joint never crossed my mind, but I know the CV boot is fine because I just did an oil change. The bearings are 7 months old, and it is by no means the same type of noise that the left bearing made before I had them replaced.

As for the rack boot...the auto store doesn't carry them and could it be fixed somehow so that I don't have to remove the rack (which is too hardcore for me anyway...maybe use one of those "glue-together" boots of a smaller size)???

Thanks again.

 

so you had problems with the left front wheel bearing before? when they replaced them did they replace the bearing race also? if not, it was probably a waste of money and time. check the wheel bearing again. the cv joint COULD be bad but they last a LOOONG time. with the weight on the wheel, try to turn the drive axle on the left side back and forth. should be very very little or no play. more and the cv should be checked(take off boot). the rack boot protects a ball and socket type of joint from dirt and grit and should be replaced if possible. that however is not the noise as the rack doesn't rotate with wheel speed. jack up the vehicle and check the wheel again.

 

Mike,

I did some serious research, and I think the sound has to be a bearing or something with the differential...the CV joint isn't making any noises at all. And, I don't know if the bearing race was replaced...on the Accord the bearing comes in a "hub assembly"...all one piece.

So if it is a differential bearing...how hard/expensive is that to replace? Thanks again. I'm assuming the differential is located where the axle enters the tranny. I lost the factory service manual I had...darn.

 

when it gets into the eng./trans. output, i leave it to the guys with the tools and experience. not an expert, just a lot of time on my back-under cars. sounds like a shop job. maybe someone will be of more help. i would probably have a dealer look at it unless you know a "good" mechanic personally. luck to you!