Hi Gordon,

Thanks for your take on things...

Well... The problem might become moot until Spring (or until we have
another few warm days). The temperature here dropped to the lower 20's
(F) last night... When I pulled out of the garage this morning, I was
still getting that noisy "metalic snap"... but within 15 minutes of
driving, right on cue, the noise faded away to nothing. (As I said
early on, the cold weather makes the noise stop.) I've driven the car
several times again today and the noise is gone for now. (It's still
cold outside.) ... But I know as sure as Dick Cheney likes to shoot
his friends in the face that the sound will return when warm weather
returns.

Although it was cold this morning, it was a bright and sunny day, so
the "miracle cure" had nothing to do with the roads being wet (no
lubrication effect from water being sprayed under the car was in play).

Your idea that it could be a wheel bearing may have some merit... Of
course, until the noise returns (along with the warmer weather), I have
no way to test the theory, as there is no noise now that the weather
has turned colder.

Bottom line... I'm back to where I started. :-(

RJ


Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:53:37 +0800, "TE Chea" <4ws@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >| engine does not
> >| have to be running, nor does the car need to be in gear for the sound
> >| to happen... I can create the sound just by coasting and applying the
> >| brakes (with the engine off.)
> >
> >Wheel bearing needs more lubricant, like my '90 accord's
> >rear left wheel's. Grease is not as slippery as synthetic oil /
> >fullerene, use the most slippery lubricant available.
> >
>
> You would have to be really grasping at straws to try this. Surprised
> Chea didn't blame this on the electric clock.