# Hum from the back of the car **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 20, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908 "2008-02-20T01:07:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UCSBRuss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/779978/32.png) [@UCSBRuss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UCSBRuss)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/1 "2008-02-20T01:07:10Z")
I drive a 1999 Toyota Camry, which usually runs very, very quietly. Lately, however, I’ve started to notice a humming noise from the back of the car while I’m driving. The best way I can describe the noise is that it sounds as if there is someone in the distance driving a vehicle with a loud engine, like a large truck or a motorcycle. It’s not a very loud noise–in fact, someone who didn’t ride in the car regularly might not even notice it. But it does get louder as I accelerate. I don’t feel a “pull” while I’m driving, as if the transmission were sticking in a lower gear. But it does sound like something in the rear of the car is having to work harder than it should. Assuming that I am not always being followed by someone driving a loud truck or motorcycle, what could it be? ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/2 "2008-02-20T01:22:09Z")
Step 1 for me might be to rotate the tires and see if the hum moves. Take a hard look at the tires while you are at it. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/3 "2008-02-20T01:38:16Z")
If you here the hum, but not moving, I would suspect the fuel pump. If the hum starts when you are moving, and changes tone as you speed up or slow down, I would suspect a wheel bearing. As suggested, rotate the rear tires and hear if the hum moves. If not, have a mechanic check the bearings. ---
**Author:** ![Tree\_Hugger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tree_hugger/32/53_2.png) [@Tree\_Hugger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tree_Hugger)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/4 "2008-02-20T01:54:38Z")
You might also have an exhaust leak. ---
**Author:** ![Sean01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@Sean01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sean01)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 3:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/5 "2008-02-21T03:56:10Z")
BustedKnuckles is correct – almost 100% a faulty rear wheel bearing. Any mechanic can isolate this on the rack and replace the bearing - not a big deal and not terribly expensive to fix. ---
**Author:** ![UCSBRuss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/779978/32.png) [@UCSBRuss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UCSBRuss)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 6:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/6 "2008-02-21T06:21:18Z")
Thanks guys. I’m taking it in on Friday–I’ll let you know what they find. ---
**Author:** ![shortyoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@shortyoh](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shortyoh)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/7 "2008-02-21T17:25:37Z")
I agree with the others - sounds like a bearing… Or a VERY annoying passenger. The latter is easier to fix. ---
**Author:** ![UCSBRuss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/779978/32.png) [@UCSBRuss](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UCSBRuss)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hum-from-the-back-of-the-car/10908/8 "2008-02-23T22:39:48Z")
Well, basically everyone was right. 🙂 It was the left rear wheel bearing. But I have more questions, which I’ve posted as a separate discussion, [http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/824209.page](http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/824209.page)