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Cicada-induced bearing noise Posted by Notnoel [Email] (#23) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Notnoel) on Wed, 27 Aug 2014 17:15:57 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Only those of us in the Southeast will get this, and it helps if you drive a vert because windows up with the AC on deprives you of the experience.
Every August, I begin to wonder if I have a bad wheel bearing. This happens because the katydid's and cicada's song is the same pitch as a squeaky bearing. When you drive with the top down, the sound is very loud. The Doppler shift (distortion) caused by the car's velocity causes the pitch to go up slightly and the pulse changes with the vehicle's speed in a way that sounds exactly like a bad wheel bearing.
It only occurs when there's critical mass of the insects around and on the highway where the trees and kudzu come right up to the edge of the shoulder. I only notice it at speeds greater than 35 mph. I first noticed this 15-20 years ago, but always forget and find myself going into auto diagnostic mode for a minute or two before I snap out of it and remember that it is August.
->Posting last edited on Fri, 29 Aug 2014 08:37:36.
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