Is that acceleration noise a wheel bearing or transmission failure?
Unfamiliar noises during acceleration make it difficult to tell a minor fix like a wheel bearing apart from an expensive drivetrain failure. This uncertainty leaves buyers second-guessing whether a high-mileage used car is a good deal or an expensive risk.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Having a mechanic inspect the vehicle and order parts to test potential fixes
- 2Consulting online automotive forums for crowdsourced diagnostics
- 3Going for a short test drive
- 4Asking online mechanics for advice and posting videos or pictures of the issue
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Does this sound like a wheel bearing to you? Could it be CVT/drivetrain related? And assuming the bearing fixes the noise and the car otherwise drives fine, would a 130k-mile QX60 be worth the gamble for $2,500?”source ↗
“It's really just the noise + the rust that's making me second guess it.”source ↗
“Anyone dealt with something like this before? Is the AC-related noise usually just a compressor/belt thing or should I be more worried? And is that kind of rust normal for a 13 year old car or a red flag?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 88How to explain an intermittent car noise to a mechanic
- 7How to tell if a front end shake is tie rods or wheel bearings
- 9Why is my car making a clanging noise that speeds up?
- 24Why are my brakes squeaking and shaking the floorboard?
- 13Why does a car shake when idling after sitting for years?
- 7Engine rattling noise and sudden coolant leak while driving