ChrisWhewell Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 (edited) Howdy, I'm wondering what the symptoms of a bad front wheel bearing might be. At present, I have a clicking sound when slowing or travelling <20 mph, and when I put it in neutral, the clicking remains. Turning the wheel doesn't affect the clicking. Front end however, does "groan" at only certain positions of the steering wheel, when travelling 60 mph. I changed the right side driveshaft about a year ago incl. CV joint. maybe its a cheap one and wore out ? or, maybe its a wheel bearing ? 90k miles on the car. If I raise the front end and wiggle the wheel, if the wheel bearing is bad, will I be able to tell pretty easily ?? thanks a bunch !! Edited April 12, 2018 by ChrisWhewell (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 My experience with CV shafts is clicking when turning the steering hard. The ball bearing cage inside will develop a crack between ball bearings and click under turning load. Bad bearing is indicated by groaning noise that changes tone as speed increases/decreases. The wheel/suspension assembly supported, hand on top and bottom of tire may have movement as it is wiggled from top to bottom. Sometimes the bearing/wheel assembly is very hard to spin. Experience this with my wifes Mountaineer. Sometimes just spinning the tire/wheel assembly on the axles by hand one can feel the roughness of the bearing. At 90k it is very possible the bearing is on the way out. Check all the brake components are tight. Any metal shims that secure the pads are not clicking on anything. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 (edited) One other item, how many miles have you put on the vehicle after installing the shaft? Reason I ask, sometimes the nut that secures the shaft/hub bearing assembly is over tightened. The results is a bearing failing quickly or very soon after. I know...been there and done that. Edited April 12, 2018 by avgwarhawk (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredmechanic74 Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 In order to get a proper perspective of the problem jack up one tire at a time by placing the jack under the lower control arm. Start the car and put it in gear (block the rear wheels) have someone bring the speed up to 15 or 20 M.P.H. and listen at the center of the tire. If it sounds OK then do the same to the other wheel. If a bearing is bad you should hear a growl. Also bring the speed back down to an idle and listen for a clicking. This should lead you to the problem whether it is a bearing or a half shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Also, make sure the tire is not having cup wear. Cupping tread face will produce growling that will increase/decrease with speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry yarnell Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Does the sound change with turning left or right? Increase in sound turning RIGHT is a bad LEFT bearing. Clicking isn't a sound I'd blame first off as a bearing; bearings usually groan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredmechanic74 Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Another thing you should look for if you have really good tires on the car look for a stone stuck in the tread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisWhewell Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 Thank you thank you thank you all. I think I'll just change both front wheel bearings. If for no other reason than..... "Why not?" :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 A clicking noise has always meant to be a bad CV joint and a growling a bad wheel bearing. Wheel bearings are pretty easy and at the age these cars are a good idea to swap out. I guess if you still have a noise after doing the bearings then you can continue the search... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisWhewell Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 Yep, Dave. I got it down to the 3 bolts holding the wheel bearing on, looks like a hex. Manual doesn't say what size, I have one that's kinda tight..... but a little loose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisWhewell Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 5/16 too loose, 3/8 too large. I guess its a 9 mm. Time to head to the parts store, cost a few bucks, plus 45 minutes, ugh, maybe I can get some beer and make the trip more worthwhile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisWhewell Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 Okee dokey, I drove the car and turned right, and it got louder so assumed it was left bearing. Changed left bearing, it helped a little but noise still there. Removed right frnt wheel bearing and yep, its shot, pretty bad. So after this morning I'll have two new wheel bearings, struts are < 1 yr old, brakes are fresh. Should be good to go for a little while. Front bearings are easy, I had them off the car in like 15 minutes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 38 minutes ago, ChrisWhewell said: Front bearings are easy, I had them off the car in like 15 minutes I'm curious. Did you use the instructions on Reatta Owners Journal for changing the bearings ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisWhewell Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 :) Yes, after I was done. :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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