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Need new Front Wheel Bearings?

Matt

Matt

PCGB Member
Member
I've got a grinding sort of nose coming from the front of my car. Seems to happen at low speeds, often in traffic in town coming home. Not there at higher speeds. Its definately not worn pads/discs, however does change in sound with application of brakes....

Having jacked up the front there seems to be more play than I would expect leading me to believe its dodgy wheel bearings which are then allowing the discs to drag on the pads making the grinding noise.

just wanted to check if anyone else has come across this problem and whether the diagnosis sounds correct?

cheers
Matt
 
Sounds about right, although it could be a sticking caliper.

Do you get a change in the noise as you apply steering lock? This is usually the acid test if it is a wheel bearing.

I suppose the other possibility is a worn ball joint in the lower arm, but I am no expert on that.

JH
 
john
yes it seems to vary with lock on, difficult to describe how much.

i'll call the garage then and dust down the chequebook[:(]

thanks

Matt
 
ORIGINAL: Matt

I've got a grinding sort of nose coming from the front of my car. Seems to happen at low speeds, often in traffic in town coming home. Not there at higher speeds. Its definately not worn pads/discs, however does change in sound with application of brakes....

Having jacked up the front there seems to be more play than I would expect leading me to believe its dodgy wheel bearings which are then allowing the discs to drag on the pads making the grinding noise.

just wanted to check if anyone else has come across this problem and whether the diagnosis sounds correct?

cheers
Matt
Click to expand...

If what you're describing only happens when bringing the car to a halt from slow speeds just in that last 10mph bit just before the car stops? then i would say it's very common to our cars and nothing to worry about. You say that you've checked the disks and pads and all are above minimum tollerances so you know it's not that. More importantly you say they're OK at higher speeds, if you're satisfied that the brakes are functioning correctly at high speeds, that they pull evenly and stop the car as expected without vibration or unwanted effects then i suspect it's just the way our cars seem to be only when bringing the car to a halt.

It could be the wheel bearing play but i doubt it, i know of several users, first hand and from other forums that experience the same graunching sound just when coming to a halt, it seems to get worse after the brakes are hot. I've never had a satisfactory explanation for this sound/vibration at slow speeds but i know that it's quite common, i had my front wheel bearings adjusted to try and stop this , it didn't change anything and service people told me that it's common on these and 944's. Have you had the car for long and has this has only just started to happen, whereas it used to be OK?

Del.

PS i tried replying to this via email as i'm subscribed to the topic, but it didn't show up! can we reply by email to these?
 
Thanks Del
i've had the car about 3-4 months and although never heard it when i test drove it, i think it has been there the whole time. as i'm only doing a 6 mile commute in the car its really difficult to make any comparisons - especially as its all nose to tail stuff.
bizarre that this appears to be a common fault - it can sound quite dreadful at times.[:mad:]

i may have a go at adjusting the wheel bearings anyhow as there appeared to be a bit too much play in them when i checked, immaterial of the grinding noise.

anyone based around south west london way with a grinding 968 so that i can compare?
 
Matt,

My car exhibits ***exactly*** the same behaviour as Del describes - especially when the brakes heat up - it sounds as though it's metal to metal on the brakes pads/disc, but it isn't - I've had it checked out and it seems to be just the way it is.

Cheers,

Rob
 
If it is wheel bearings, it will be a whining, turbine like sound which is speed dependant, and will vary as you apply light lock while travelling in a straight line.

The other metallic scraping sound at slow speed that you others are describing sounds like brake pads dragging on the disk. I know because mine was doing the same, and I discovered that I had a siezed pad, very common on these cars. Try taking the pads out, cleaning them, applying some copperslip, and replacing them. It makes a huge difference. It is a dirty job, though not particularly difficult. It gets more difficult, the tighter the pads are stuck, which in turn means all the greater a benefit to your brakes when you are finished.

Having done this, I now know what is involved, and could write up what is involved for those who haven't tackled it before. Any takers?

John H
 
Have you looked at the condition of the shields at the rear of the discs? They are quite a close fit on the back of the discs and sometimes they become distorted, (or corrode away around the 3 bolts), and rub on the disc.
 
thanks everyone - nice to know I'm not alone in grinding in to work...[:)]

John - if you could write up how you did the brake pads clean up it would be really useful..I'm planning to have a pop at it all the weekend after next (planning to spend this weekend in the pub at the home of English Rugby - either [:D] or [:(]...)

I'll check the shields at the back of the discs as well whilst I'm at it

cheers

Matt
 
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