Have a 2000 seabring that has a high pitch whine, comes in around 30 or 40, does not change much when engine reved, or speeds or a/c on, no change with braking, neutral and coasting, in gear etc. Stops suddenly at 20 mph, will not make noise ever below 20. Defies all logic to me. Would imagine some pressure threshold thing. Seems not to be related to any revolutions of engine or wheels. Any info??

Thanks
Patrick

 

Rear wheel bearing?

 

The noise does not change on speed of car really, or rev of engine if I place it in N while moving at speed. Hit brakes, no change either. Air on or off no change.
When going down the street, the sound reflects sharply when a curb happens by or a newspaper box etc. So the sound is directional it seems. It sounds like front end area. Can only imagine someone knowing what it is or having my wife drive it > 40 while hood open and me perched over engine and that is simply not gonna happen.
Thanks for the reply tho.
I would imagine a rear bearing noise changing with increased speed etc.

 

If you have a good set of jackstands (NOT the car jack!) try jacking up the front end, setting it on the jackstands and running the wheels up to speed. If the noise appears, you may be able to pinpoint it.

They used to have on-car wheel balancing equipment that could spin a tire that could be used to check a non-drive wheel bearing. I don't know if tire shops still have that equipment.

Have you looked under the car to be sure you haven't picked up anything that is caught underneath?

Only other thing I can think of are those whistles that people attach to their cars to frighten deer. They are supposed to be beyond the range of hearing for humans, but I suppose one could catch a bug and change its tune. You don't have one of those do you?

 

I have not thought of the jack stand idea. Mainly because I have a sloped drive but I am sure I can do that when I get a level spot. Thanks for the simple and duh on me for not thinking of it idea.