Humming sound when accelerating

Tiny
DAVE GUERRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 FORD EDGE
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
We are getting a loud humming sound coming from our vehicle listed above. This humming sound happens only when we accelerate. I recent put on new pads and rotors and caliper pins. I have posted a video of the sound also. I personally don't think it has anything to do with the brakes but maybe a wheel bearing? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 3:40 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

I need you to try something. When you accelerate and hear the noise (and I did hear it), gently touch the brake pedal at the same time you are accelerating to see if the sound changes or stops.

As far as a wheel bearing, most times the sound is always there even when coasting. Turning left or right will usually change the pitch of the noise.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
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  • 1,139 POSTS
Very possible that it could be a wheel bearing, but to verify this I would begin by jacking the vehicle up, placing it on jack stands and have someone put the vehicle in drive while you carefully listen to each side to determine which one is making the noise. If the bearing is bad enough it should be easy to identify, but in some cases they will only make noise when weight is on the vehicle. Usually wheel bearings will make noise at all speeds but CV shafts can make noise during a load like acceleration. You can also see if the noise changes when swerving left and right on an empty road. If it's noisier when swerving left, it will be an issue on the right bearing or CV shaft and vice versa.
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
DAVE GUERRA
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My wife said it does it while accelerating and while coasting, stops when braking. It doesn't do it all the time though. When it does it she said that when you turn the steering wheel slightly it will go away but when going straight again it comes back. Its not consistent, like I said, kind of comes and goes as it wants.
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Welcome back:

Honestly, when she is accelerating, at the same time press the brake to see if the sound changes. If it does, it is related to the brakes. If it doesn't, then it could be a wheel bearing. Also, check to make sure one of the backing plates behind the brake rotor isn't bent and slightly touching the brake rotor.

Here is a little trick. When you make a turn, the vehicle's weight is distributed differently. For example, if you turn left, more weight goes to the right side of the vehicle. So, if the right wheel bearing is bad, the sound will usually change in pitch. It works the opposite way also.

I have to be honest. Listening to the sound and knowing the brakes were just replaced, I really suspect it is something with the brakes, unless the sound was present prior to the brake replacement.

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
DAVE GUERRA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am going to drive it in the morning accs see if I can get the noise. I'll jack it up and insist everything. I didn't replace the calipers probably should have. I'll check the plates also. Brakes were done a year ago and I had to redo them just recently because of shaking cause by warped rotors. The noise started after the first brake job. Ford dealer told me brakes needed to be transactions and that the passenger front wheel bearing was starting to go bad. But didn't need to be replaced at the time. After first brake job was done that's when noise started. Randomly and not all the time. I personally thought it was just tire noise. After this brake job the noise is louder. Sounds like it's coming from driver side. But I could be wrong.
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Welcome back:

If you feel it is from the driver's side, chances are you are right. In that case, the noise should get louder if you make a right turn and lessen when turning left. See if that happens. Also, try the braking trick the same time you accelerate to see if it changes. You don't have to push hard on the brake. Just see if the sound changes.

Let me know.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 9:21 PM

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