Hissing sound from right rear wheel area

[HashiriyaS14]

This started up a couple of days ago. Generally it only happens at fairly high speed (<70mph), and then when I hit the brakes enough, it goes away. It has started at lower speed once or twice though.

I both searched and asked some people, and I've gotten the following suggestions:

-Tension Rod-Wheel bearings-Something brake-related-Fuel Pump (don't think this is it, as it doesn't happen at idle at all)

Any other ideas? How would I go about finding out for sure? Just get the car up on Jackstands, take the wheel off, disassemble brakes, etc.., and just keep going until I find the problem? if it's something like wheel bearings, will I even be able to see the problem?

Also, how big a deal do people think this is? Could it be really bad to drive on it? Is something catastrophic going to happen if I continue to drive on it?

Thanks.

EDIT: Car Info: 1998 S14 5spd, 78k miles. Only maintenance done recently was clutch master/slave cylinders. DC Metro area.
Modified by HashiriyaS14 at 1:49 PM 5/10/2005

[HashiriyaS14]

bump.

Please, even uninformed conjecture will help at this point, I just need to know what to look around for.

It does NOT appear to be rpm-related in the slightest. I was at 6k in 2nd today coming down an offramp and it didn't make the noise, but on the highway, at 80, it did. Then, when I braked sufficiently, it stopped.

Any info/theories would be greatly appreciated.

[NISTECH]

Sounds to me like it is brake related as you mention by touching the brake pedal the sound goes away when your at the higher speed. suggestion is to take off the right rear wheel and see if anything is close to the rotor. If it were bearing nosie I think it would be more noticable at lower speeds. also look around the axle for any thing that might be contacting it,

Another thing you need to take into consideration is wind speed. see if anything is blowing back and making contact with the wheel or axle creating the noise.

[NISTECH]

Also sound can deflect at higher speeds so you may think the noise is at the rear when infact its at the front. so look to make sure the inner fender liner on the front is securely fastened and not catching wind.

[HashiriyaS14]

Thanks a ton man.

I guess I'll try pulling the rear wheel off and partially disassembling the brakes this Sunday.

[NISTECH]

take a look at the things that can be effected by wind first as that wont require any disassembly, its simply a visual inspection.