Who has replaced wheel bearings?, Scraping noise, need some advice. Options

[DomGT]

I have what sounds like metal-on-metal contact when I make right hand turns. This noise has progressively gotten worse. Now I can hear the noise on bumps and even light turns. Anyone have advice or info for me?

edit: These cars handle REALLY well. Good steering system and 2400 lbs makes my car handle like a brand new Acura RSX! I can tell you this, my 143k mile 6GC handles MUCH BETTER than my '99 twin turbo 3000GT VR-4! The VR-4 is AWD too.

This post has been edited by DomGT: Jun 14, 2006 - 5:31 PM

[LewFX]

sounds like cv joints or the axle

[Bitter]

done any work in that area recently? could be a brake dust sheild rubbing against the rotor.

[DomGT]

Guys thanks a lot for the comments, I haven't done any work around there... but I'm going to check it out this weekend and I'll post my results.

[cheeco]

i have replaced front wheel bearings, on a GT. but im pretty sure its the same
in the ST. biggest deal is having access to a press, oh and while it may cost around
$100 its a good idea to replace the hub while your at it. dont do like i did and press
a worn out hub into a brand new bearing :x

[purplegt4]

metal-on-metal contact...progressively gotten worse.

definitely wheel bearing. it'll make you feel so much better when u get it replaced.

[Kwanza26]

Lift the car and wiggle the wheels... then actually LOOK at the CV's... =P

[LewFX]

soooo was Kwanza and I right?

[DomGT]

Getting a new hub, bearing and brake lines installed. Yes I cringe at every right-hand turn over 20MPH.

[dustin15brown]

I replaced my driver's side one already and am getting read to replace the passenger side

[Digndoug]

I replaced my driver side too.. it was pretty bad. The easiest way to check, like someone said, is to lift the car and wiggle the wheel. side to side top to bottom. Id pull it yourself and take it somewhere.. It will be much cheaper than just having someone do it.

Also, why are our cars infamous for wheel bearings going out?

[scothaniel]

All cars wear out thier well bearings, just basic maintenance. I've replaced the bearings in both of my Celica's, a Maxima, a DSM and a 4 runner in the past 5 years.

So it was only happening on turns? That doesn't sound like a wheel bearing - wheel bearings are usually a constant noise. The fact that its happening on turns sounds more like CV or tie rod end.
A worn tie rod or control arm busing would also allow the wheel to wiggle, so be sure to keep an eye on those parts when doing the wiggle test mentioned above.

This post has been edited by scothaniel: Jun 19, 2006 - 2:01 PM

[LewFX]

extra wheel bearing grease helps keep the bearings lubed up

[Celicaguy13]

When I took off my tire the other day, I was able to wiggle the wheel stubs side to side, up and down real easily with lots of clearance "bad" this is a wheel bearing right?

Also, when I make a tight turn, my steering tends to want to stay in that direction and when i'm driving it's pulling to that side. What would cause this?

[LewFX]

tie rod, axle, bearing all going bad at once?

[Bitter]

extra wheel bearing grease helps keep the bearings lubed up

but overpacking them can cause them to overheat, or so ive been taught.

[LewFX]

mine have yet to overheat

[cheeco]

sealed bearings are pregreased and dont need grease added, but bitter is right about taper
roller bearings, too much grease is not good. our cars have sealed, pressed bearings.

[Bitter]

sealed bearings are pregreased and dont need grease added, but bitter is right about taper
roller bearings, too much grease is not good. our cars have sealed, pressed bearings.

you sure the fronts are sealed units? i replaced my front bearings on a press. the REAR bearings are a hub unit that bolts into the knuckle.

[LewFX]

i was talking about the rears, theres a small opening in the back, i just added a small amount as i turned the bearing to make sure it was well lubed.

[DomGT]

I've decided to go for a larger service (I like to replace parts as preventive maintenance). I would like anyones advice, if I should ADD service, or NOT do it, please let me know your suggestions!

New Front Wheel Bearings
New Front Wheel Hubs
Cut Front Rotors
New Front Brake Pads
Mew Rear Brake Shoes
New Front CV Joints
New Front end tie rods
New Front Control Arms
New or Aftermarket Brake Lines
Check Axels (expensive to replace as preventive maintenance right?)

Oh and plenty of grease.

[LewFX]

looks good to me, you could even go as far as new suspension arms in the rear, new rear hub and bearings, new sway end links, etc etc.

[cheeco]

sealed bearings are pregreased and dont need grease added, but bitter is right about taper
roller bearings, too much grease is not good. our cars have sealed, pressed bearings.

you sure the fronts are sealed units? i replaced my front bearings on a press. the REAR bearings are a hub unit that bolts into the knuckle.

yes the front bearings are sealed, meaning the races and the balls n cage are one sealed unit and are not meant to be serviced, so its mostly a matter of terminology.

[Bitter]

AH ok, when people say sealed i think of a hub/axle/bearing assembly type of deal. i popped my old wheel bearings apart to play with the ball bearings. they come apart pretty easily.

[scothaniel]

I have never had to replace a hub, and I cant imagine why you would ever need to. Its like replacing a lamp cause the bulb burns out.

BTW, the CV joints are part of the axel.

[DomGT]

because of this suggestion I figured what the hell.

i have replaced front wheel bearings, on a GT. but im pretty sure its the same
in the ST. biggest deal is having access to a press, oh and while it may cost around
$100 its a good idea to replace the hub while your at it. dont do like i did and press
a worn out hub into a brand new bearing :x

[cheeco]

I have never had to replace a hub, and I cant imagine why you would ever need to. Its like replacing a lamp cause the bulb burns out.

BTW, the CV joints are part of the axel.

hubs do wear out, usually after high milage the part thats pressed into the bearing can become pitted and
worn away. so when you press it into a new bearing it may not be an actual pressed fit (especially if it presses easily). better to be safe and have the hub on hand, than to press a worn out hub and damage your new bearing. if the old hub doesnt look damaged and it presses good, then it can be reused np.

[scothaniel]

Ah, your talking about the axle shaft right?:

[cheeco]

yes, according to that picture, im talking about the axle shaft heh.