Hi All -
I am pretty sure I have a messed up wheel bearing in one of my front tires. We have replaced a wheel bearing in a back tire before, but the front tire's mechanics are different and a bit more daunting. I have a 2000 Honda Civic and from reading the repair manual, I can only assume that I must remove the hub, then have a professional hydraulic press the bearings for me.
My main problem right now is that I can't tell what side the bearing is bad on! There is a distinct rotation noise when I turn left, but I don't know if that means the left bearing is rubbing harder due to pressure, or if the right one's lack of pressure during the turn is causing the noise to increase in volume.
Any help in a diagnosis?
Help a poor, confused girl out!
Thanks,
Amy
2006-12-27 08:50:39 · 13 answers · asked by amyhaswings 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you turn the car to the left and it gets louder then it is your right side that is bad. If you turn to the right and the noise gets louder then it is the left side. But with experience I have found that they normally go bad together or shortly apart. I changed my right and within a month had to change the left so same some hassle and have them both changed at the same time
2006-12-27 12:29:12 · answer #1 · answered by rwings8215 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well as everyone above points out REPLACE BOTH... its cheaper and they have the same number of miles on them.. if one is going out the other is not far behind.
Now as to the bad one..
1) Jack up the car so both front wheels are clear
2) Rotate both tires. ... see if the noise can be heard...
3) Grab the wheel and try to twist and shake it. A bad bearing will let you wobble the tire a bit.. but a good one will hold the wheel to the axel without much play.
Now you know... now either fix them both while its up in the air (an easy job) or lower it down and take it to the Front Wheel Bearing Replacement Store AND DO BOTH !!
Happy New Year
2006-12-27 08:56:18 · answer #2 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THIS IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT. WHEN YOU TURN LEFT THIS INCREASES THE LOAD ON THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING AND WILL USUALLY INTENSIFY THE ROARING NOISE IF THE RIGHT IS THE BEARING THAT IS FAILING. THIS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT WHEN TURNING THE OTHER DIRECTION. BY UNLOADING THE BAD BEARING THE NOISE SHOULD BECOME LESS INTENSE. IF THE BEARING IS BAD ENOUGH IT SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE PLAY IN IT IF YOU JACK IT UP AND ROCK THE TIRE UP AND DOWN. MAKE SURE TO USE SAFETY STANDS WHEN YOU JACK IT UP. IF YOU STILL CAN NOT DETERMINE WHICH SIDE THE PROBLEM IS ON HAVE SOME ONE RIDE IN THE CAR WITH YOU AND SWITCH POSITIONS IN THE CAR. SOMETIMES A NOISE CAN BE BETTER LOCATED FROM A DIFFERENT POSITION IN THE CAR. IF ALL ELSE FAILS THERE IS A TOOL CALLED A "MIRACLE EAR" THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE REALLY HARD TO LOCATE NOISES. IT CAN BE PURCHASED FROM A TOOL TRUCK LIKE MATCO TOOLS, IT CLIPS SENSORS ON INDIVIDUAL LOCATIONS. THEN USING HEADPHONES AND A JUNCTION BOX FOR THE SENSORS YOU CAN LISTEN TO DIFFERENT COMPONENTS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. BE SAFE AND HAPPY DIAGNOSING.
2006-12-27 09:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by autoteach 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which front tire has the worst, most irregular wear?
You got to get it fixed, though. If you really do have a bad bearing, that isn't a good thing at all, at all.
I replaced mine on a Chevy once and there was no hydraulic presses involved, but who knows what's involved with a Honda.
2006-12-27 08:53:49 · answer #4 · answered by MithrilHawk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a number of possibilities that could be wrong other than the wheel bearing.
1. You could have a bad or worn CV joint in the transaxle.
2. You may have a tire with broken belts or out of balance.
3. You could have a bad tie rod end.
4. You could have a bad ball joint.
2006-12-27 08:54:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a jack raise each tire up off the ground.take a pry bar under the tire and pry up back and forth if tire moves the wheel bearing is bad.you dont have to take the tire off to tell if the bearing is bad.
2006-12-27 09:06:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jack up the front of the car and shake each tire side to side and top to bottom. Whichever one moves more is the bad one (there should be a LITTLE play, but one should be moving a whole lot more if it is bad).
2006-12-27 08:53:12 · answer #7 · answered by apt311 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best way is to put the car on a lift - and by rotating the tire the mechanic can easily tell which side - good luck
2006-12-27 08:53:51 · answer #8 · answered by happy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would just go ahead and replace both sides. If one side went bad, chances are the other side isn't too far behind. You probably don't want to have do it all over again say 6 mos. down the line........
2006-12-27 08:53:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always change both sides out when doing that repair. It is best to do them both so that they wear evenly and you are not out there doing it all over in a month or two.
2006-12-27 08:52:34 · answer #10 · answered by Biker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋