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I've got a new-to-me 06 Subaru Outback, 54,000miles. The car drives very well, however, there is a loud droning sound that comes from the rear end/tires. The sound isn't really noticeable below 30mph, but as the speed increases so does the volume. Pitch stays generally about the same (i.e. no gravely, squeaking, etc..), but it does seem to vary slightly depending on the speed of the vehicle. Possibly getting louder/faster as the car travels faster, slowing down as the car decelerates.
From what can determine, it's one of two things.
Bad wheel bearings or road-noise combined with a lack of sound deadening material in the rear hatch area.
The rear-gate on this car feels incredibly light, too light if you ask me, and I'm wondering if that hatch and rear cargo area is lacking adequate sound deadening material. This car is new to me, but I know it was is a minor rear-end fender bender earlier in it's life. In theory the back hatch and/or part of the rear quarter panels may have been replaced, but not with adequate sound deadening/temp material and as a result the back of car is rather noisy. It's also cold back there, cold enough for a 6er sitting next to the gate to freeze on a recent road trip. I should also mention the car has brand new tires (<1,000miles), which I thought was going to solve the problem but it has not.
The other option I believe is wheel bearings. From what I can tell the sound is coming equally from each wheel so both rear wheels would be equally bad. That seems a little strange to me, but I'm not a mechanic, so maybe that's it.
Anyone have a guess? -- I suppose putting the car on a lift and spinning the tires would help narrow it down....
Thanks
Ryan
From what can determine, it's one of two things.
Bad wheel bearings or road-noise combined with a lack of sound deadening material in the rear hatch area.
The rear-gate on this car feels incredibly light, too light if you ask me, and I'm wondering if that hatch and rear cargo area is lacking adequate sound deadening material. This car is new to me, but I know it was is a minor rear-end fender bender earlier in it's life. In theory the back hatch and/or part of the rear quarter panels may have been replaced, but not with adequate sound deadening/temp material and as a result the back of car is rather noisy. It's also cold back there, cold enough for a 6er sitting next to the gate to freeze on a recent road trip. I should also mention the car has brand new tires (<1,000miles), which I thought was going to solve the problem but it has not.
The other option I believe is wheel bearings. From what I can tell the sound is coming equally from each wheel so both rear wheels would be equally bad. That seems a little strange to me, but I'm not a mechanic, so maybe that's it.
Anyone have a guess? -- I suppose putting the car on a lift and spinning the tires would help narrow it down....
Thanks
Ryan