Help....Weird howling noise

[drddan]

Ok...I have this new howling noise, started about a couple weeks ago. It sounds like tire howl, sorta like big 4X tires sound.
It started a couple weeks ago, and is growing louder. I have fairly new General HP Max tires on the Festy, they didnt make this noise before, but I dont think it is the tires.

Would front wheel bearings going bad make this noise?...or some other mechanical problem showing up? It sounds like it is coming from the front.

Its been raining a lot here, and havent been able to check things out. Hoping someone has an idea what the heck this is causing this noise.
Its getting quite loud.

Anyway, thanks in advance. I hope I get this figured out before something breaks, or whatever!

[gergorian]

Does the noise go away if you pushed the clutch in or take it out of gear. ( if it is a manual that is?)

[FestYboy]

look ar your rear bearings first (easiest) they are a typical fail point in a Festy and will cause the howling. test for which side by taking long sweeping turns in both directions. the side that produces the most noise is TYPICALY the bad side (though i have seen it the other way on a few cases).

[bravekozak]

I have a weird howling noise too. But I know for sure where it's coming from.

[ckiesman]

^^ lol. Im leaning towards wheel bearings as well. Mine did this (the right rear) and it sounded like it was coming from everywhere. Even though the bearing had no play, it had almost no grease in it due to the junk grease i was using turning to a mineral oil consistency and seeping out.

[nitrofarm]

Remove the caliper and spin the rotor you'll hear & feel the grinding.

[Kbaker2012]

I have the same sound. I thought at first it was due to running tranny fluid butt hen I put 75w90 fluid in it and it is still there. Any ideals ? E-mail me at craada6@msn.com

[Movin]

Welcome to the forum kbaker! Your problem should have some significant differences. Click this same repair help forum up at the top and name your thread so we can work on this other howling noise.

[nitrofarm]

I have the same sound. I thought at first it was due to running tranny fluid butt hen I put 75w90 fluid in it and it is still there. Any ideals ? E-mail me at craada6@msn.com

Welcome to family Kbaker2012,do what Movin suggested if you cant find any advice that's need full on this particular thread.

[drddan]

look ar your rear bearings first (easiest) they are a typical fail point in a Festy and will cause the howling. test for which side by taking long sweeping turns in both directions. the side that produces the most noise is TYPICALY the bad side (though i have seen it the other way on a few cases).

Rear bearings you say? It sounds like the front, but .....I have never changed the rear bearings, and they are a little loose. Going on 5 years i've had this Festy, same bearings the whole time!!!!! lol

Sweeping turns on the hiway does make more noise, on both sides. Been there...done that. Guess I better look into this quickly. Sure wish it would quit raining! I have to work outside.

Thanks all! I will post when I get a chance to look into it.

I had a feeling it could be bearings, the front has been done...and should be good

[bravekozak]

it had almost no grease in it due to the junk grease i was using turning to a mineral oil consistency and seeping out.

That is why a full wheel bearng test is supposed to be performed on every tenth batch of grease manufactured. The grease cup is weighed after the test to see how much oil/grease has spun out at very high temp. The hub is also packed with grease. The spec for the hub is no slump. I have seen failures relegated to thread lube. I would not be surprised that positive recall was not implemented fully and that non-conforming material has gotten into the field. I always use Esso Unirex EP-2. A superior milled grease with high quality additives. Any grease manufacturer can do a simple penetrometer test. But it's the performance testing that counts.

[william]

I would put money on rear bearings mine sounded like it was coming from the front also and the rear had no play but they were dry looked like the grease got hot and seeped out.
I now use red n tacky by Lucas and works great.

[ckiesman]

I was using what was recommended by the parts counter guy, lol. Come to find out at high temperatures it runs off, and it wasn't recommended for use below 32 degrees. I question myself sometimes....

[Bert]

I'd be curious to hear an update on all this. Is/was it the bearings?

I went upscale 5-6 years ago and invested in costly synthetic bearing grease (it was Mobil, I think). That stuff was a disaster and bearing after bearing let go on me well within a year of assembly. The darn stuff would liquify and run off and leave almost no protection behind. I went back to ordinary bearing grease (Quaker State?) and haven't had any problems since. It may be I had a bad batch or did something wrong but as they say: Once bitten twice shy.

[drddan]

I always use Esso Unirex EP-2. A superior milled grease with high quality additives. Any grease manufacturer can do a simple penetrometer test. But it's the performance testing that counts.

This guy knows GREASE! I think he works/worked in the grease field. This would be a good grease to use. I will be looking for it.

...and yes, there are great differences in manufacturers of grease.