Front wheel bearing

[robbo]

Hi Gang
I am not to sure if my front wheel bearing is on its way out. I drove through a ford a couple of weeks ago on the Norfolk Easter run. Since then I have had a noise which I think is coming from the front of the car. I jacked her up and found the wheel on the passenger side seems to be quite tight to turn and there is no free play doesn't feel like the brake is binding. Driver side spins freely and there is a touch of free play. The noise I get when driving is a sort of growl but not a continuous growl sort of fades in and out but keeps up with the speed of the car. Sorry with the noise description but that's the best I can do. I assume there should be a small amount of free play in the front hubs. Your advise is much appreciated as always.
Rob

[martin]

Hi Rob, you need to get that wheel off and remove the pads, it sounds more like a brake problem, bearings get very loose and very noisy before seizing. Also compare the pad condition on both sides, the offending caliper may be sticking on, in which case, suspect the flexible hose. Martin.

[robbo]

Thanks Martin.
So you are saying that the bearing would get loose not tighten up? I do have a stering wheel wobble which I thought could be balance?
Rob

[robbo]

One good thing though. I had to jack the car up with the scissor jack as my trolley jack is I my Landrover which my son has borrowed and the sills didn't crumble must be some good metal in there.
Rob

[milothedog]

Thanks Martin.
So you are saying that the bearing would get loose not tighten up? I do have a stering wheel wobble which I thought could be balance?
Rob

It may have been over tightened by the PO, it wouldn't have free play then but eventually overheat and seize and/or break up.

Like Martin say's you need to strip it down and check the Pads and Caliper and wheel bearings and identify what it is.

Ian.

[robbo]

Cheers Ian
I will have a look tomorrow and see if I can sort it out.
Rob

[Bandit1200]

Rob
Don't trust original jacking points or sills!.
Get that trolley jack back with plenty of packing to spread the load.
Steve

[StagnJag]

I'm quite happy to use my jacking points. The way I see it, if they fail, there is something wrong with the structural integrity of the car which needs sorting out!

Rgds

Dave

[Bob Heritage]

Hi Gang
I am not to sure if my front wheel bearing is on its way out. I drove through a ford a couple of weeks ago on the Norfolk Easter run. Since then I have had a noise which I think is coming from the front of the car. I jacked her up and found the wheel on the passenger side seems to be quite tight to turn and there is no free play doesn't feel like the brake is binding. Driver side spins freely and there is a touch of free play. The noise I get when driving is a sort of growl but not a continuous growl sort of fades in and out but keeps up with the speed of the car. Sorry with the noise description but that's the best I can do. I assume there should be a small amount of free play in the front hubs. Your advise is much appreciated as always.
Rob

Seems strange that the noise only happened when you drove through a ford(unless it was a Mondeo) you might have picked up a stone and got it trapped behind the brakeshield

[robbo]

Hi All
Thanks for all the replies. The hubs are off the car and I found the drivers side wheel bearing starting to break up. Good job I had the hubs off as the discs especially the rear sides are badly pitted. New discs and bearing kits coming tomorrow I even splashed out on a set of braided hoses. Now I have just noticed the passenger side bottom ball joint needs replacing. Is this an easy job to remove the joint from the suspension arm or better to buy a refurbished arm. Also is it best to do both sides at the same time even though the drivers side looks ok. As always help is much appreciated.
Rob

[new to this]

rob

you have only just bought this car (unless im thinking of some one else) did it not come with a warranty

dave

[robbo]

I have only just got the car however it was a private sale. I was expecting to do some bits and pieces on the car and I do like things right so don't mind doing a bit of work. Its quite nice to get the spanners out again

[martin]

Hi Robbo, good find ! Changing the bottom joint requires a press, some have managed without, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Also, with a replacement arm, you get a new inner bush. To remove the bolt at the inner end, you may need to cut the nut off, and the head, gently prize the crossmember sides apart and pull the arm out, then tap the sides back, try spanners first but the bolt is probably seized. Good luck. Martin.

[milothedog]

Hi All
Thanks for all the replies. The hubs are off the car and I found the drivers side wheel bearing starting to break up. Good job I had the hubs off as the discs especially the rear sides are badly pitted. New discs and bearing kits coming tomorrow I even splashed out on a set of braided hoses. Now I have just noticed the passenger side bottom ball joint needs replacing. Is this an easy job to remove the joint from the suspension arm or better to buy a refurbished arm. Also is it best to do both sides at the same time even though the drivers side looks ok. As always help is much appreciated.
Rob

Hi Rob,

Has the bearing failed because of being preloaded (Over tightened) like I suggested previously? If this is the case it makes me wonder, as nice as your is, what else a well meaning previous owner has done himself and is a problem waiting to happen.

I had this myself with a few repairs and adjustments that had been done by the PO and I found that he didn't like doing anything up tight either.

Ian

[robbo]

Thanks Martin
I will tackle the suspension arm tomorrow. Ian I don't know if the bearing was over tightened but the cage had started to break up. You are right about POs you don't really know what's been done but I don't mind working my way through the car putting things right. To be honest I was expecting to do a fair amount of work to get the car how I want it.
Regards Rob.