"Rear End" noise on '02 Protege5
 

At first I thought it was "just me', until a buddy was with me during our drive to the San Mateo HIN show. It appears that there is a "whine" or some type of noise coming from the rear of the car. I realise that we have front wheel drive and there really isn't all that much "back there"..... I checked my rear wheel bearing, and it wasn't that.

Can anybody assist me?

Speedbump.
***********************
2002 vivid yellow Protege5
AEM Short Ram
H & R Sport Springs
Rota Subzero 17" Alloy Wheels
711 BK Ecsta Kumho Tires
Bosal Exhaust System
B & M Short Shit Kit
AutoExe Rear Wing
Carbon Creations Canards
Fibre Image Carbon Hood
MintBlue Front Grill
Samco Hoses
Cartboy Bushings
MP3 Front Spliter
MP3 Cam Cover
OBX Alloy Pedals
OBX Fire Suppresion System
Black Chrome Taillights
MOMO Shifter
Tinted Windows
Painted Calipers
Modern Image Signworks

Do you have a roof rack? They've been known to cause whistling noises at high speeds.

Re: "Rear End" noise on '02 Protege5
 

How are your tires wearing? Our cars tires started to become "blocked" in the rear which resulted in a whine/hum noise. Rotate them to the front and the noise is in the front---eliminates the idea that it's wheel bearings.

Check it out...

Did you try to put your hand on the middle of the rear-wheel rim after a long drive? Is it hot? I had this problem a while ago on my 2002 P5, and it turned out to be the brakes hanging, because the sliding pin had gotten stuck, causing over-heating of the brakes. Had to change discs and pads, and get everything properly lubricated. This is a notorious weak spot on the P5.

BTW, they changed pads and rotors on my mom's 2001 Protege ES/GT for this exact problem, under warranty, thanks to a link I found on this forum. They recognize the issue only if you show them the service bulletin...