Very often, when car owners drive their vehicles to the mechanic shop, they cannot put a name to the sound coming from their cars instead, they use a sound to describe this to the mechanic. This is generally how car owners vaguely describe an ominous noise coming from their car once they get to the auto shop.
We can’t blame anyone trying to mimic their car’s issues considering that most of the time, the general public has no idea what’s wrong.
In that case, here are the most common car noises and how they can be fixed.
It’s common for your vehicle to make a whirring noise – typically only on one side of the car – that gets louder as the car moves faster. While it might sound like a helicopter mysteriously chasing your car, it’s not, that whirring noise is most likely a worn-out wheel bearing.
One way to find out if it’s a wheel bearing is to turn the steering wheel to the left and then right when driving down a road. If the noise disappears briefly, then it’s most likely a wheel bearing.
You can also check by jacking the car up and wobbling each wheel, with your hands at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions, to see if it’s a wheel bearing. In order to fix it, you’ll need an axle nut socket, a wheel-bearing puller, and a hammer and chisel to get the job done. Don’t forget the new wheel bearing too.
If you hear a constant squeal or grinding noise when you hit the brakes before coming to a complete stop, then it’s most likely due to worn brake pads. That annoying noise is caused by the wear indicator on the car’s brake pads to let you know that they need to be replaced.
However, if the brakes start to make a horrendous metal-on-metal sound, then you probably need to have the brake rotors replaced as well.
Have you ever driven at a low speed, like through a parking lot, and heard a clicking noise when turning? If so, then it could be due to a worn constant velocity joint, also known as a CV joint.
The CV joints are connected to the front hubs of the car and are comprised of two joints with ball bearings that help the joints flex when the wheels move up and down. This is what makes the clicking sound.
In order to check the car’s CV joints, inspect the rubber dust boots at the end of each axle near the brakes and the transmission. If the boots are cracked and leaking grease, then the CV boot will need to be replaced. However, most mechanics will replace the entire axles, as it’s usually much easier and cost-effective.
If you hear a squealing noise coming from the engine bay constantly, or when you start the car, then it’s most likely a worn-out accessory belt – also known as a serpentine belt.
Fixing this noise is easy as it only necessitates a belt change. It could cost a bit to do, so if you want to spend less, then you can do it yourself by buying a new belt from the auto parts store along with a serpentine belt tool to help you install it.
Do you hear a whining noise when you turn the wheel left or right? Then it could be coming from the power steering pump. In some cases, the issue is caused by not enough fluid in the hydraulic reservoir, so adding more fluid can make the noise go away.
However, it can also be caused by another component in the system like a faulty line, the pump, or even the steering rack.
Check for any leaks underneath the car and inspect the different components. If it’s a leaking line, then it should be easy to fix. But if it’s the steering rack, then you need to seek professional help.
Conclusion
If your car is making any one of these noises or a lot of them, it’s best not to take any chances and have them checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. However, if you’re mechanically inclined and can locate and fix the problems yourself, then you can likely save a lot of time and money.
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