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shorepig Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2005 Posts: 516 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:20 pm Post subject: Misdiagnosed front wheel bearings, so what else could it be? |
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My mechanic drove my van (85' westy) home the other night and was certain that I needed new front right wheel bearings. There is a whirling sound coming from the front right wheel, whixh increased in volume with speed. I've always wanted to attempt this repair, so I dropped $50 on inner and outer bearings and installed them tonight. It went well, but I could not see any issues with the old bearings or races. I just drove the van and it still feels and sounds EXACTLY the same.
So....what would be the next logical thing to check? Tires? I have 27" BFG all terrains. If so, should I jack the van up and rotate the tire to see if it is out of round? Aside from rotating the tires, are there any other things I could check out? _________________ 85 Westy
92 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 4x4 V6
74 Honda CB500T cafe racer
2013 ktm 690r
Sector nine pintail |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:15 am Post subject: |
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The easiest thing would be to swap out that tire with one of the rears.
If the caliper is not fully releasing it could make it sing a very high-pitched note, but you seem to be saying you can feel it, which shouldn't be the case with the caliper.
A soft compound tire can make some strange noises when they cup, but that should only happen to a rear tire where the power delivery is, so if swapping out does it, I'd check out the tire. _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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CessnaJon Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 677 Location: Senoia,GA
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:12 am Post subject: |
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I just went through this last week.I was certain that the front LH bearing was going bad- turned out it was the RH side.On jacks both sides had no play and sounded normal.Napa has the bearings for about $25. _________________ 1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
2015 Sportwagon TDI 6sp
LR-JET, Gulfstream 159 |
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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:15 am Post subject: |
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does the noise go away when you apply the brake? _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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shorepig Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2005 Posts: 516 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:48 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
does the noise go away when u apply the brake |
Good question, I will check it out on my way to work.
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If the caliper is not fully releasing it could make it sing a very high-pitched note, but you seem to be saying you can feel it, which shouldn't be the case with the caliper.
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This is also a possibility. We have had major problems with getting the brakes to stop squeaking for the past year. When we apply the brakes, both the fronts and rears often squeak at low speeds when coming to a stop in forward and reverse. Our mechanic has even changed out the front calipers, tried new pads, and replaced the front brake lines. The brakes still drag when they are not applied...I totally forgot about this...this could be the issue. _________________ 85 Westy
92 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 4x4 V6
74 Honda CB500T cafe racer
2013 ktm 690r
Sector nine pintail |
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smokin_dodge Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2008 Posts: 169 Location: East Texas
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:10 am Post subject: |
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i would inspect the caliber and brake package. if the noise continues rotate your tires.
dont forget that all terrains at high speeds create a whirring noise on the highway - specifically mug grip tires, 70mph in my buddies jeep with all terrains is hell - more road noise than you can image. _________________ I do Subaru conversions - Front End work - Mechanical systems repair - PM for Details |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50334
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:18 am Post subject: |
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CessnaJon wrote: |
I just went through this last week.I was certain that the front LH bearing was going bad- turned out it was the RH side.On jacks both sides had no play and sounded normal.Napa has the bearings for about $25. |
I have seen this happen as well. Just really hard to track down noises sometimes. |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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Check your brake dust/splash shield. They are easy to slightly bend and rub on something rotating, like the disc itself. Sound will vary with speed, just like a bearing would. _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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Howesight Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008 Posts: 3273 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Poor wheel alignment will also make the tires noisy and it can, depending on your tires, sound very similar to a worn wheel bearing. Most frequently, it would be improper toe-in or toe-out can that would make this noise, although improper camber can also. |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17109 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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With a clear road, try rocking the van left to right with the steering wheel. If the noise changes, it will often indicate a bad wheel bearing. Unfortunately it is still difficult to determine which side. Both sides have usually seen the same amount of travel. It would be easy enough to pull the other side apart and clean, inspect, and repack with a new seal. Often a wheel bearing failure is on the inner race that you can not see without cutting off the roller cage. The only indication other than noise is a smattering of metal dust in the grease. I would not cut them apart yet. You might be able to use them as spares for the other side if they are good. I am sure you swapped out the races? too. _________________ ☮️ |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9797 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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rsxsr wrote: |
...Unfortunately it is still difficult to determine which side. ... |
When things get to that point I seek out a concrete wall I can drive close to with the windows down. I like the one behind the Home Depot -- places like that often have such walls out back with no traffic around.
Do a slow cruise with the wall on the drivers side (just a couple of feet away) then the passenger side -- should be real easy to be sure which side is the source of the noise. |
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