What causes the abnormal noise from the right rear wheel of a Corolla while driving?
3 Answers
The reasons for abnormal noise from the right rear wheel of a Corolla while driving are as follows: Foreign objects in the tire: It could be that stones are stuck in the tire tread, causing abnormal noise. This noise will change frequency with variations in vehicle speed. Faster speed results in a higher frequency, while slower speed results in a lower frequency. Brake pads worn to the limit: The abnormal noise may be caused by the brake pad's limit metal piece rubbing against the brake disc. It is recommended to check the thickness of the brake pads. If the thickness is less than 3MM, replacement is needed. Worn wheel bearing: The noise could be due to wheel bearing wear causing looseness and resulting in abnormal noise. The wheel bearings should be inspected.
When my Corolla reached 10,000 kilometers, the right rear wheel also kept making a clunking sound. I once specifically squatted down to check and found several small stones stuck in the wheel gap. I used a screwdriver to pry them all out, and it was fine. If you hear a sharp metal grinding sound while driving on the highway, it's probably the brake pads rubbing against the wear indicator. My experience is that replacing the brake pads promptly will solve the issue. Two winters ago, I encountered a squeaking sound when going over speed bumps. The repair shop said it was due to aging shock absorber bushings, and applying some lubricant got me through for over half a year. However, the scariest was when I heard a humming sound from the wheel while turning a corner. After inspection, it turned out the bearing was damaged, and this must be replaced immediately.
Based on 15 years of Toyota repair experience, diagnosing a Corolla's right rear wheel noise requires listening to different scenarios: a clunking sound over bumps points to suspension bushings, squealing during braking calls for new brake pads, while a humming noise at constant speed suggests checking the wheel bearing first. Last week, I fixed a noisy Corolla - upon disassembly, we found dents on the inner rim from rock impacts, causing out-of-round tires that produced a thumping sound while driving. In such cases, a simple wheel balance usually solves the issue without needing to replace the rim unnecessarily.
