Worn wheel bearings, what are the symptoms?

[suprabad]

I have been trying to locate a rattle that sounds like it's coming from my rear suspension. It is noticable at low speed over small bumps. Problem is I can't isolate it. I've had the car up on jack stands and tried to find the rattle and nothing. Everything looks ok but I did notice what feels like approx 1/4 of play back and forth when I shake the wheel. Is this unusual for the rear wheels of a Supra? Could this play be making my rattle sound?

In the past when I have had wheel bearings go out on other cars they made a scraping sound not a rattle so I never really considered wheel bearings and probably still wouldn't have but I've checked everything else and I'm running out of possibilities.

Also is it possible the hubs just need to be tightened? Do they loosen over time or is it usually replacement time for the bearings?

 

[IJ.]

SB: The bearings are pressed into the hubs and have no adjustment.

 

[suprabad]

SB: The bearings are pressed into the hubs and have no adjustment.

So any play at all in the wheel is bearing wear? Could this explain my rattle? :icon_conf

 

[wingman]

I'd like to know the symptoms as well...i have a very annoying squeek from my left rear wheel. Throw squealing brakes into the mix and my car sounds like a circus on wheels

 

[IJ.]

SB: Yep

Mine was grumbling when they were on their way out.

WM: Squealing could be a lot of things from glazed pads to missing antisqueal shims/clips/springs.

The "squeak" would have me concerned though.

 

[wingman]

by shims you mean the ones on the lug nuts?

if so then i found my problem...there were a few missing after i had my tires replaced. Time to go to NAPA i guess

 

[IJ.]

No by shims I mean the thin metal plates that sit in between the brake pads and the pistons in the callipers.

 

[siman]

So any play at all in the wheel is bearing wear? Could this explain my rattle? :icon_conf

That could be your tie rods or end links being out of wack as well! Mine did the same thing.

As far as a worn wheel bearing....my brothers 300zx has one in the left rear. He was in a minor car accident with it 1/2 year ago....as luck would have it the cars body was not damaged but we had to replace the subrame...added some nice performance tid bits down there on a whim...but we did not think of replacing the wheel bearing until he drove it the first week....

It makes a GROANING noise when turning right ( putting stress on the left bearing as the weight load shifts to the left side).....But there is NO PLAY in that wheel...taking the wheel and tire combo bolted to the hub and just pushing it back and forth....side to side....LOL

But its something 1/1000's of a inch that is out of wack...something you will NOT see from the outside......

We are replacing the wheel bearing really soon...but its been held off by numerous other mods undergone on the car this 1/2 year....and wheel bearings will let you know when they are about to explode or totally shear out...which is VERY RARE.

-Jonathan

 

[suprabad]

That could be your tie rods or end links being out of wack as well! Mine did the same thing.

But its something 1/1000's of a inch that is out of wack...something you will NOT see from the outside.....-Jonathan

Keep in mind my rattle is coming from the rear end of the car so tie rods and end links dont apply.

Still dont know what it is. Any ideas would be appreciated. Also I put the car up on jack-stands but couldn't find anything but maybe i wasn't looking at the right things.

 

[siman]

Bushings? Sway bar end link(s)?

I am willing to bet your wheel bearing is out.....from your description at least.

-Jonathan

 

[suprabad]

Bushings? Sway bar end link(s)?

I am willing to bet your wheel bearing is out.....from your description at least.

-Jonathan

I think you may be right, it's just that I've never heard a wheel bearing make a rattle sound. I didn't know it could...seems weird.

 

[IJ.]

SB:Sorry if I mislead you (I posted late at night DOH)

I meant if there's any play in the bearing it will cause a noise.

As for the mystery rattle there's a bunch of stuff back there that can rattle when worn, does it sound metal on metal?

 

[supraman7mgte]

Check wheel by raising the front end up with the wheel and tire off the ground,and grasping the top and lower part of the tire,push and pull to see if there is any visible movement.Also just spin the dam thing and listen,if youse hear any grinding,then that there bearing is bad!

 

[suprabad]

SB:Sorry if I mislead you (I posted late at night DOH)

I meant if there's any play in the bearing it will cause a noise.

As for the mystery rattle there's a bunch of stuff back there that can rattle when worn, does it sound metal on metal?

Not exactly metal on metal more like a dull thudding. It's most noticable at low speed over small bumps and sound kinda like something is loose.

I've looked and can't find anything obviously loose. I don't have access to a lift, maybe if I did I would be able to see more. I put it up on jackstands but again it's not the best way to have a look.

I'm stumped.

 

[suprabad]

Check wheel by raising the front end up with the wheel and tire off the ground,and grasping the top and lower part of the tire,push and pull to see if there is any visible movement.Also just spin the dam thing and listen,if youse hear any grinding,then that there bearing is bad!

That's good advice but I don't think it applies to this case because its the rear wheels (or thereabouts) that the noise is comming from. If I spin the rear wheels the rear end will engage and it makes it hard to tell where the rattling is comming from.

Still searching for a way to diagnose this damn rattle.

 

[p5150]

a bearing on its way out will usually be loose, try to shake the wheel back and forth like supraman7mgte said

 

[suprabad]

a bearing on its way out will usually be loose, try to shake the wheel back and forth like supraman7mgte said

How much play am I looking for? In other words, how much is too much?

 

[malloynx]

I'm in the same boat as you but mine is coming from the front. i have no idea what it is. i've checked everything

 

[suprabad]

I'm in the same boat as you but mine is coming from the front. i have no idea what it is. i've checked everything

I also had this problem in the front and after much looking and checking every component I found out it was my lower ball joints. I have since talked to many people who have had the same problem.

Go to TSRM online and inspect them according to their instructions and I'll bet ya that's your problem. Good luck.

 

[Boostedstr8six]

Does the rattling sound like it's coming from the top of the struts? I would guess it's your shcok absorber bushing(s).

The slop in your wheel is probably worn lower control arm bushings (#1 and/or #2). I'm in the middle of replacing these items as we speak and had experienced said symptoms. HTH