What Causes Abnormal Noise from the Rear Wheels?
2 Answers
It may be caused by stones stuck in the tire tread or a punctured tire. Below are the relevant solutions for abnormal noise from the rear wheels: 1. Stones stuck in the tire tread or a punctured tire: If stones are stuck in the tire tread, it's easy to solve—simply use a screwdriver or a piece of metal to pry the stones out of the tread gaps. Note that if the tire is punctured by a sharp object, it can easily lead to a blowout or air leakage. To protect the tire and ensure driving safety, replace the tire with the spare and then visit a repair shop to check if the tire can be patched. If possible, have it patched. 2. Loose wheel hub bolts causing abnormal noise: If the front wheel hub bolts are loose, the wheels will make a slight knocking sound when lightly braking downhill. Pay close attention to listen for this. If the rear wheel bolts are loose, the noise from the wheels will be amplified through the trunk, producing a louder knocking sound, and the noise will emanate from the trunk. In this case, simply take out the tools from the trunk and tighten the bolts.
I've driven quite a few cars, and the most common causes of rear wheel noise are worn brake pads or bad bearings. Worn brake pads tend to squeak, especially when braking; whereas bearing wear produces a continuous humming sound that persists as the wheel rotates. Another possibility could be unbalanced tires or a pebble stuck in the tread, which gets worse on bumpy roads. Once, I encountered this issue and found a small stone lodged in the tire groove—removing it fixed the problem. However, if left unrepaired, the issue can worsen—for example, a failed bearing might cause the wheel to lock up, compromising safety. I recommend immediately identifying the noise location: if it occurs during braking, check the brakes first; if it happens while the wheel is turning, inspect the bearings. It's best to have it handled by a professional shop without delay.
