Chirping when moving over twenty five mph

2012 ACURA TL
65,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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WAYNEB64
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My car starts chirping from the front compartment after five to ten miles of driving from cold (immediately if car was recently driven). It only happens over twenty five mph, even when rolling in neutral, applying breaks does not affect it, engine rpm has no affect. Heat/AC has no affect. You can hear it echoing off buildings if windows are open.

I noticed it a few years ago after long highway trips, but only after getting off the road. Now I hear it at highway speeds constantly if the windows are closed and the radio is off.

It has passed all the Acura inspection points, my brake pads are fine and every service is up to date. I saw another question with an answer of brake wear indicators engaging even though the pads are fine, but why would it stop when I slow below twenty five? The weird thing is the frequency goes up as I slow from forty to twenty five just before it stops and goes quiet.

I saw another answer about porous bearings but I do not understand the speed limitations or warm up for that case. I even put it in manual mode and the noise happened in any gear and did not change from second to third to fourth.
May 29, 2018 at 6:29 PM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

It will be something like a bearing can you tell if it is front or rear? I would help if you can shoot a quick video and upload it in your reply so I can tell for sure. I would think a front CV bearing is out. Here is a guide to show you what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-cv-axle-bearing

This is rear but you get the idea. Also, please check the wheels double check the lug nuts.

https://youtu.be/_HIaE1MyDiw

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
May 31, 2018 at 11:00 AM
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WAYNEB64
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It is definitely in the front end, but I am not a mechanic so I will not be messing with my bearings. My tires are rotated as needed so I doubt it is a lug nut as I have experienced this problem over the last couple years and 25,000 miles or so. I will have my dealer check the front bearings.I still do not understand why the pitch goes up as I slow from 45 to 25 however.
May 31, 2018 at 2:03 PM
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STRAILER
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Can you do me a favor and put the car in neutral and go from 45 to 25 see if the noise changes?
May 31, 2018 at 7:20 PM
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WAYNEB64
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I tried in neutral and no change so it seems independent of engine and transmission. I did notice that it seemed to go away when turning to the right hard enough to take a little weight off the right front wheel and maybe got a little louder turning left putting a little more weight on the right, but that was hard to tell.
Jun 1, 2018 at 9:31 PM
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STRAILER
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I would try rotating the tires front to back and you say it is not the front end, but if you turn it changes which points at the front end? Any luck on that video?
Jun 2, 2018 at 12:30 PM
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WAYNEB64
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No, I said it was definitely coming from the front. I have not tried the video as I did not think it was loud enough for my phone to pick up. I am going to schedule an appointment next weekend to have my dealer take a look at it. I am hoping it is a bent wear indicator instead of a failing bearing.
Jun 2, 2018 at 12:47 PM
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STRAILER
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Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
Jun 2, 2018 at 12:50 PM
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WAYNEB64
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The service tech found glazed brake pads and said they wanted to replace and turn my rotors, which they did, but it did not fix the noise. Oddly the behavior of the noise seems to have changed a little, making noise at a slower speed now, but that might just be my imagination.
Jun 15, 2018 at 12:49 PM
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STRAILER
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It still sounds like CV axles to me or it could be CV axle bearings. Here is a video on to do the rear but its the same operation on the front:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-cv-axle-bearing

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken
Jun 16, 2018 at 10:54 AM
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WAYNEB64
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I finally got an answer on this, the drive shaft to the rear wheels is making the noise.

"drive shaft, bolt bearings are rubbing against each other."

They have to replace the entire shaft as the bearings are not serviceable. $1,900.00

I did look up the part online and the price was $1,600.00 marked down to $1,100.00 for:

Acura Part No.: 40100-TK5-A03
Shaft Assy., Propeller
Dec 18, 2018 at 6:03 AM
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STRAILER
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They don't give these away do they. Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken

Dec 18, 2018 at 10:32 AM
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WAYNEB64
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Would you think I just happened to get a bad set of bearings or would you think something caused this? The car is about seven years old with less than 70,000 on it.
Dec 18, 2018 at 11:20 AM
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STRAILER
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Is the car in cold climate? Moisture can cause bearings to go out prematurely. When the car sits the bearing rollers can rust causing the failure.
Dec 19, 2018 at 10:46 AM
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WAYNEB64
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I work at home so the car does sit for most of the week, but I live in Texas so normally there is not too much moisture. It has spent most of it's time safely in my garage.

I have driven through some crazy winter storms on the way to New York, could some water have gotten in where it shouldn't have? Maybe something wasn't as air tight as it should have been? I do remember going somewhat sideways in some heavy rain with crazy amounts of water on the road.
Dec 19, 2018 at 10:56 AM
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STRAILER
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Well, made by humans, it happens. The drive to New York won't hurt anything.
Dec 19, 2018 at 12:10 PM