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Strange noise from rear.

Tiny
RACHELOC
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 98,000 MILES
I'm a woman who knows very little about cars. I have a 2002 Nissan Frontier. It runs great. But lately I've been hearing a strange noise. I can't be sure, but it sounds like it's coming from the right rear wheel area. I thought it might be a stone in the wheel or maybe a loose bolt. But I've noticed I only hear it while accelerating. If I'm coasting I don't hear it. If I'm in reverse I don't hear it either. It's a very metallic clicking/rattling sound. I'm sorry I can't really describe it well. There's probably a lot of possibilities. I drive daily around town with no problems, just the noise. But I have a 400 mile trip to make next weekend and I'm a little nervous about it.
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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 2:27 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It could be a bad wheel bearing. You need a shop to check it for you and give you a bid.

Roy
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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 2:36 AM
Tiny
RACHELOC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks Roy. I forgot to add that I mostly hear it while turning, or when I first start out from a stop. As I speed up it gets quieter or stops altogether. It seemed to be louder today than it has been. My street was flooded yesterday and I ended up having to drive through water that was almost up to the running boards just to get home. I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. In your opinion, would it still be safe to drive on the highway?
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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 4:17 AM
Tiny
ADVICE101
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
A wheel bearing would make more noise the faster you are moving. Not knowing what it exactly is I would take it to a local shop and have it looked at before a road trip
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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 4:43 AM
Tiny
RACHELOC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I've been doing some research and I'm wondering if it could just be the heat shield rattling? I watched some Youtube clips of cars with the heat shield vibrating underneath and I think it's the same sound or pretty close to what I've been hearing. I listened to some videos of bad wheel bearing sounds and it doesn't sound like my truck. My truck sits outside all the time, so is it more likely that the heat shield is just rusted and will eventually fall off? Would that be a big deal?
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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 8:50 PM
Tiny
RACHELOC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Also, I hear the sound more when I have the windows open. So it's louder outside the truck than inside.
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Saturday, May 5th, 2012 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Doubt that it is a wheel bearing, I would go get the brakes checked as a precaution, start here.
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Sunday, May 6th, 2012 AT 1:16 PM

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