Humming Noise from the back.

Hello people,

I have an 'M' reg (1994/5) Escort that is making a rather disturbing humming noise from the back. It is most prominent between 30 and 60 MPH. The noise is not related to the engine as the old girl continues to hum whether the engine is on or off. It is definitely related to the car moving. Another thing is that if I turn to the right the noise gets considerably less than if I am going straight or turning left. She is a standard 1.4 model and has so far done 190,000+ miles. I would dearly like to get her through 200,000 miles but am worried this might spell the end for her.
Any useful comments greatly appreciated.

Look under the rear of the car, either jack it up or just crawl under. Look at the right side then look at the left and see if anything is out of place. Check your tires to see if there is anything not right with those. They tread on the tires could be wavy from being out of balance or ripped from the alignment in the rear being off which could cause a hum i beleive, or a thump. I'd just check and see if anything is rubbing or broken or out of place and go from there.

:iagree: Sounds like a tire problem. Rotate the tires to the front and see what happens.

Ya..sounds like it is coming from the trunk.. or that area in a s/w.Check there and see.I BET it is Az hiding in there and humming..THAT he is in Arizona at 70 deg and I have 4 days of snow coming..

Arnold, just checked the weather forecast. The next 5 days are supposed to be 80 degrees! :smokin: I'm wearing shorts and thinking about jumping in the jacuzzi. That's why I moved here :boink:

Once there was an Eskimo way up in Northern Canada driving his snowmobile in a blizzard when it broke down. He had it towed to the shop. The mechanic came out and said,"Did you blow a seal?". The Eskimo wiped his mouth with his hand and said,"No, that's just frost"! :bananasmi

ya it could vary well be a tire problem but i have also seen when the baring almost looks like it machined its self in to the axle and creates play in the wheel. what u can do is if your could get the back right side up on a jack and try moving the tire from left to right and then up and down trying to find out where the play is

Well thanks chaps. As it was, the car went on strike on Tuesday and I was forced to summon my local garage. While they were on the job I mentioned the hum and they checked it out. One new rear wheel bearing later and the noise is no more. Thank heavens I can turn the radio down now.

ha i was right lol