Strange noise coming from the right rear wheel

STUART HARMS

MEMBER
2007 DODGE NITRO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

It sounds like a generator motor that gets louder the faster I drive. It just started all of a sudden, I stopped at a store yesterday (it was not making any noise then) when I started to back up it started making the noise, I put it in drive, it made the same noise. I drove it about four blocks to where I work and parked it.
The pitch of the noise increases the faster I drove, I didn't drive over 15 mph. Doesn't really sound like brake squealing, that had on other vehicles.
Maybe rear disk brakes sound different. Hope you can help. Thanks!

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

H Stuart,

This sounds like either something is caught back there and is just dragging or the wheel bearing is failing.

It is odd that a bearing would go that quickly so I suspect something is rubbing. Is there any way you can get a recording of the noise so that we can get on the same page?

Clearly whatever it is due to it increasing in speed as you drive it is something that is spinning at wheel/tire speed which really limits it down.

Hearing it will help but the only way we may know is to hoist that axle and spin it by hand while inspecting it hoping it make the noise just enough to pinpoint it.

Let me know if you can get a recording or what you find and I can assist with whatever else you need. Thanks