I have a 2011 HHR 2.2 Automatic since new. About 250 miles ago it started a rumbling sound from the left side starting at about 25 mph and increasing up to 70mph. It has progressively gotten worse. I have changed tries and rotated front to back. The growling noise does not change turning left or right nor does it clunk when goin from Drive/Neutral/Reverse. Transmission is full of Dextron 6.
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I have jacked the vehicle up and removed tires and ran the car in gear. The noise is definitely coming from the Tranny and CV axle connection on the left side (driver) of the car. It does not make any noise unless it is in drive and the engine rpm is increased. It does NOT make noise when run in L, 2nd or Reverse.
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I have bought a CV Axle, hub and brakes to put on the left side from NAPA. I hate to spend the 200 bucks and spend the time if it is most likely a bearing in the tranny. Any ideas of if the tranny will make this noise? Is it worth it to change out ALL the parts and hope the noise goes away? If it is in the tranny I'd prefer to save the money and drive er till she blows. Recommendations please. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum.

Yes the transmission can make that noise due to several issues, including a bad bearing internally.

However, so can the hub, brakes, and the CV joint for that matter.

Is it worth it to change out all the parts and hope the noise goes away? That's a choice you have to make.
Save $200 and live with it, or put a couple hours into installing the parts, and hope the issue is resolved.

OR, take it to a shop where a professional can check it out to determine the actual source of the problem since you are unsure what is wrong.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. As an ole helicopter mechanic I KNOW noise can travel. The noise is definitely coming from the CV Axle/transmission connection. If there is a 10% or greater chance of it originating in the inner CV axle joint or travelin from the hub/brakes I'll give er a try.
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I just read nowhere that anyone had trouble with the tranny bearings, but that is what it sure sounds like. At 60,000 miles it is a bummer if it is a tranny bearing. . I was planning on dyin with that car. Instead I'll drive er till she blows and junk it. It's a shame since I'm gettin 33 mpgs out of it.
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I'll give you an update next week as soon as I replace the components on that side.
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Thanks again.
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98% chance the bearing/hub is bad. If it is that noisy easy to test; jack it up hands at 12 & 6. I bet there is half inch travel.

 

Thanks, Drew. I just am thrown with it not changing noise with left or right turn while traveling or clunking. Going to definitely do it this week end and give back a report of the results .My 2008 escort got 130 grand on it with the original hub bearings. Win some/lose some!

 

I also bet that that the front left tire is showing bumpy wear on the outside edge. And the noise is somewhat lessened when you apply the brakes. And the inner edge of the tires is wearing.

At 60,000 I would not even consider anything besides the hubs causing it. But, it is time to closely inspect the LCA bushings; car in park try to roll the front wheels; if the wheel moves but the body doesn't : bad.

 

Thanks. I had the car jacked up with ALL four tires off the ground with front tires removed and still got that noise from the tranny/Inner CV Axle connection. That's how I got my head right up on the connection with the tire removed and a buddy I trust on da gass. LOL! I will definitely check the LCAs with the procedure you explained this week end. Thanks!

 

Running in gear off the ground will ALWAYS cause CV noise because the joints are bent all the way.

We do know what we are talking about, really.

 

Thanks, Good Point. It did sound exactly like it does goin down the road and only did it in Drive, not Low, 2nd or reverse and only when reved up. Before I tear it apart I think I will support the lower control arms and jack em off the ground also to relatively the same angle it is at when on the ground with tires on it since I gotta do so anyways. I may do it Wednesday if it rains like it says it will. Otherwise I gotta work in the fields and git to it this weekend.
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I really appreciate the support, Not tryin to call ya'll out. I like as much input as possible because I really do consider ALL I hear and see. Nothin is better than learnin from someone else's experiences rather than from you own mistakes. LOL!

 

I'll just add that I had a bearing hub changed in spring. There was no change in sound during turns or any other conditions. It's not unusual for hubs to go at 60k.