Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 08:10:02 -0700
Reply-To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: front wheel noise
In-Reply-To: <4e18628a.df4ee50a.798f.0b60@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
It sounds as if you're right inner wheel bearing is worn. If the noise
doesn't change when you use the brakes you can probably rule them out. What
do you hear when you jack up that corner and spin the wheel by hand?
You say it gets louder when you turn left and load the inner bearing - does
it get quieter when you turn right and load the outer?
On Sat, Jul 9, 2011 at 7:15 AM, Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a noise that sounds like it's in my right front
> wheel. Definitely sounds like its in one of the front wheels. It's
> speed dependent, rrrraaoo, rrrraaoo, rrrraaoo, and I would say it's a
> wheel bearing based on what I've heard and diagnosed over the
> years. So here's what I've done:
>
> I replaced my warped front rotors (with OEM) and put in new pads
> (from the FLAPS.) I moved my cleaned and re-greased wheel bearings
> to the new rotors. Lithium based wheel bearing grease. I found the
> outer bearing seat was worn out on the right spindle. there was play
> between the bearing and the spindle and evidence of wear on the
> spindle that the bearing had been turning on the spindle. Even when
> properly adjusted, there was play between the outer bearing and it's
> seat on the spindle. (not sure if seat is the correct word
> there.) So obviously there was still terrible noise and play
> there. I drove about 10 miles total on that situation.
>
> With some difficulty, I got a replacement spindle (thanks Jim
> Felder!) and new ball joints. There was a very small amount of wear
> on the inside of the outer wheel bearing where it mates with the
> seat. I compared with a new set of wheel bearings, and there was a
> tiny amount of additional play with the old set, so I put in the new
> set. I don't have a press so I have carefully drifted the bearings
> in and out of the rotors each time.
>
> The sound does not seem to be affected by brake application or
> coasting in neutral. It seems to increase on turning to the left
> which loads the right side. It sounds to me and my GF like its
> coming from the right side but I'm not totally sure.
>
> I did notice that the guide pins on the caliper on that right side
> seem worn. Probably from the warped rotor period. The only other
> thing I can think of to replace is the left wheel bearing.
>
> Thanks for any ideas!
> Edward
>
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX - 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Subie - 'Dixie'
Crescent Beach, BC
www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
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