How does one test for bad wheel bearings?
#17
Nordschleife Master
It sounds like someone did some alignment recently and then you started to feel vibration? Probably not the case, but for what it is, I had alignment completed, then apparently one of the adjustment bolts were left a tad too loose which eventually grenaded the bearing. Had to replace the alignment bolt from the wiggle jiggle, in addition to the bearing and all is well now - wallet's lighter too.
Note - they first replaced the adjustment bolt - didn't correct the problem, the vibration was a definite growl from the rear, and the grind was audible - very noticeable.
rich
Note - they first replaced the adjustment bolt - didn't correct the problem, the vibration was a definite growl from the rear, and the grind was audible - very noticeable.
rich
#18
Thread Starter
Racer
No alignment work since I've owned it, 5000 miles. I don't notice any alignment issues.
I don't hear any noises, I just feel a vibration.
Recent work that could have caused the vibration is the change to the 18" wheels with massive rubber, and the rear wheel bearings being changed.
I had a very noticeable wheel vibration just after installing the new tires and wheels, even though these came factory balanced. I drove about 90 miles at no more than 70 mph to get to the tire balancer. Afterwards, I remember thinking how smoothly it went down the road.
I don't hear any noises, I just feel a vibration.
Recent work that could have caused the vibration is the change to the 18" wheels with massive rubber, and the rear wheel bearings being changed.
I had a very noticeable wheel vibration just after installing the new tires and wheels, even though these came factory balanced. I drove about 90 miles at no more than 70 mph to get to the tire balancer. Afterwards, I remember thinking how smoothly it went down the road.
#19
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by greg928GTS
Recent work that could have caused the vibration is the change to the 18" wheels with massive rubber, and the rear wheel bearings being changed.
#20
Nordschleife Master
Again, good idea worf
Mind me not looking at the WSM, if they replaced the bearings, wouldn't they have to remove the tire alignment bolts to remove/replace the bearing? I thought the whole assbly needed to come apart to facilitate replacement... Just a guess.
rich
Mind me not looking at the WSM, if they replaced the bearings, wouldn't they have to remove the tire alignment bolts to remove/replace the bearing? I thought the whole assbly needed to come apart to facilitate replacement... Just a guess.
rich
#21
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by alex70
Mind me not looking at the WSM, if they replaced the bearings, wouldn't they have to remove the tire alignment bolts to remove/replace the bearing? I thought the whole assbly needed to come apart to facilitate replacement...
If you don't, and remove the hub, then yes, perhaps, you need to re-align.
#22
Rennlist Member
Worf is correct, I have a similiar tool called "the bearing buddy" what a timesaver. It is really called the Hub Shark, how approppriate.
Last edited by ZEUS+; 11-30-2006 at 01:33 AM.
#23
Rennlist Member
Don't rule out tire balance yet -- you could have lost a weight. That's easy to check, and you can see if the bearing feels smooth while it's off the ground. If the mechanic didn't heat/freeze the appropriate parts and instead used the BFH method(or any other hammering) then your bearings could be shot already. Hammering can dent the race or flatten a roller or ball on the best of bearings, causing them to fail very quickly.
My bet would be on a lost wheel weight or improperly torqued wheel.
My bet would be on a lost wheel weight or improperly torqued wheel.
#24
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by worf928
If you use the Sir Tools bearing tool you do not have to remove the hub per the WSM and you do not have to mess with alignment.
#25
Start from grabbing the wheel and giving it a shake...
If thereis any play then find out where it comes from. A rear bearing would have to be total mooched and installed wrong to wear out in 500 miles...
Check all your rear suspension components... I after a rear end job the wheel carrier pins on my car loosened... I thought it was bearing but in the end it was two nuts that were not torqued properly...
In general wheel play is unacceptable so jack the car up and start there... then follow it to the source...
If there is no wheel play then balance may be the next best place to look...
If thereis any play then find out where it comes from. A rear bearing would have to be total mooched and installed wrong to wear out in 500 miles...
Check all your rear suspension components... I after a rear end job the wheel carrier pins on my car loosened... I thought it was bearing but in the end it was two nuts that were not torqued properly...
In general wheel play is unacceptable so jack the car up and start there... then follow it to the source...
If there is no wheel play then balance may be the next best place to look...
#26
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Florida
The wheel bearing will make lots of noise and the noise will change when changing directions.
Get the tires rebalanced from a good shop and watch them do it. Most of them are too lazy to get the tires balanced perfectly because most people won't go fast enough to notice minor imperfections...
Get the tires rebalanced from a good shop and watch them do it. Most of them are too lazy to get the tires balanced perfectly because most people won't go fast enough to notice minor imperfections...
#27
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Vilhuer
Doesn't WSM require heating hub in oven to 100 or 120 celsius before bearing is installed? Very difficult to do without damaging anything. I'm sure very few mechanics actually do this in real life.
Here's a ref to the kit, and it ain't cheap. That's why I borrowed it:
B90 Bearing Removal Kit
#28
Thread Starter
Racer
Originally Posted by worf928
I know that it's been written before... but it would be a really good idea to figure out some way to get another set of wheels on there...
Originally Posted by SharkSkin
Don't rule out tire balance yet -- you could have lost a weight. That's easy to check, and you can see if the bearing feels smooth while it's off the ground. If the mechanic didn't heat/freeze the appropriate parts and instead used the BFH method(or any other hammering) then your bearings could be shot already. Hammering can dent the race or flatten a roller or ball on the best of bearings, causing them to fail very quickly.
My bet would be on a lost wheel weight or improperly torqued wheel.
My bet would be on a lost wheel weight or improperly torqued wheel.
Several people have noted that bad wheel bearings make noise, and I don't really notice any odd noises, just the vibration. Because of this, I'm not sure it's the wheel bearings now.
I'll be doing some investigative work this weekend. Thanks to everyone for all the help.
#29
Thread Starter
Racer
Originally Posted by ZEUS+
I wish you were closer,Benton is about 5-6 hours from here.