Front wheel bearing noise - thought it was brake related!

Pfsantos · 08-22-2007, 01:48 PM

Well, I searched and went through 10 pages of results. Very educational.

I was getting some front end noise that would go away for a short time after regreasing shims and in general working on the front pads and disk. I was convinced this was the problem, but...I guess not. The sound was a shimmy when lightly on the brakes that was speed related.

After searching, and trying to be less focused on what *I* thought was the problem, I started looking around. I double checked the tie rod and balljoint on the side with the noise. No play. Checked brake shield (which can sometimes be touching or close and make a similar noise). Checked pads, rotors, and shims. Interestingly, I noticed the shims looked like they had been dancing around and the anti-seize was gone (the cause - keep reading).

I should add at this time that the front right wheel bearing was dealer changed about four years ago, so I had been ignoring this as a cause for the noise - big mistake. I have also noticed increasing vibration in the past six months when occasionally on the highway. I went on to check the axle nut (which can sometimes loosen I read) and it was tight (factory spec around 180 ft-lb). At this time (wheel, caliper, caliper bracket removed), I put the wheel on to check for play. With the wheel off the ground, there wasn't much play in and out, but when I wiggled and alternated between pushing in and out at 6 and 12 o'clock, it felt like the wheel was loose. Upon checking that the wheel was tight, I realized it has to be the bearing. I checked per FSM (avail. through links here in the forum for the noobs out there), and the play seems to be within spec., but I am not confident because I coudn't put the dial caliper in a very steady place.

I'm going to change the bearing this week and will update... wish me luck...I've been living with this shimmy for a long time!

bobbyisking · 08-22-2007, 10:50 PM

this is how i see it. if u can move the wheel in any direction when it is off the ground, then it is a good chance that the wheel bearing is bad. mine on the passenger side was wiggly, and when i took off the axle nut, the hub fell of. on my other car, same thing with the first one, driver side was wiggly, and hub fell of when axle nut was taken off. now passenger side, wheel was not wiggly when i shook it. took axle nut off, and hub fell off. so, it is possible for the wheel bearing to be bad, even if it doesn't shake when you jack the wheel off the ground. i honesty freaken hate doing wheel bearings, id rather just get new knuckles from the junk yard.

JimR · 08-23-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfsantos

Checked pads, rotors, and shims. Interestingly, I noticed the shims looked like they had been dancing around and the anti-seize was gone (the cause - keep reading).

If a brake shimmy/noise is the problem, don't count out the brakes, yet. You checked them, but to what extent? Replace anything?

I've had braking vibrations caused by "warped rotors" - really just uneven pad material buildup on the friction surface after a trackday. A rotor that is unbalanced and uneven will vibrate at speed and pulse through the brake pedal.

Brake noise can happen if the rotor surface is not smooth, or if the pads drag. Worn rotors often have a channel ground into them, leaving a lip along the edges of the swept surface. When the pads drag against this lip (light brake effort, sticky slide pins, uneven pad wear), they squeal. Grooves in the rotors will also squeal.

Pad shims will see wear, and any grease will escape over time.

A wheel bearing will have a low roar any time the car is rolling. Braking may exaggerate a bearing noise, but turning and corning should change the noise, too. New wheel bearings never hurt, but neither do new pads rotors, and shims.

Pfsantos · 08-23-2007, 01:39 PM

I should mention that in between re-greasing sliders and applying antiseize and checking pads, shims and calipers, I changed front rotors and pads a couple of times (one time OEM, one time aftermarket). The noise didn't go away. I'll still keep my eye on the brakes, though.

I have the bearing and am getting the wheel seals and axle nut today. In between other things, I'll change the bearing this weekend. I have a feeling that when lightly on the brakes, the loose bearing is causing the caliper/pad/shims to vibrate on the support for the caliper. When I press the brakes hard, everything gets sandwiched, and the noise goes away, with the vibration also affecting the sliders (they're loosing lubricant fast).

98sr20ve · 08-24-2007, 09:12 AM

Add the CV joint to your items to check. It's possible that you have several issue and you think it's only one. More then likely it's your Bearing. I would check that with the car on the ground and pull the top of the tire away from the car. Any movement and its toast (assuming all other joints are good).

Pfsantos · 08-24-2007, 10:51 AM

Thanks, all.

I searched and found people saying they had to replace the hub or spindle/other_name?

Looking at the front hub/bearing/spindle, I don't understand how a bad bearing becoming loose or worn could cause these parts to fail...can someone please explain?

The inner and outer races are held in place (inner races between axle nut and cv joint, outer between hub inner flange and snap ring), along with friction from being pressed in, so I thought the other parts would be safe.