Symptoms of bad bearings?

[Laura69]

Greetings, guys - you've always been a big help so here goes.

I have a 96 XLT, 4WD w/ approx 96k on it. While I don't *think* I hear a constant front wheel noise when going down the road (how can you hold your head out anyway while driving?) I do have to go up & down 10 levels in my parking garage each day and I'd *swear* I hear the poor thing grinding away when I do it. The turns on the deck sort of make one crank the wheels almost to their extreme angle, if that makes sense. Also, the wheel on the front left has been getting a ton of what I thought was black brake dust on it. Could that be ground up ancient bearings?!

Anyway, before I totally seize up something, I want to know what I *should* be listening for. Too, I have the Haynes but it isn't terribly clear since the 96 is a sort of "just before we changed things" model - some things in the manual are right and some aren't.

If I change them myself, what tools should I have on hand and what should I rent from the part store? I have a torque wrench thingy somewhere but want to ensure it's the right kind. I DO have that funky little wrench thing for the ring doodle parts. (Don't you just love an educated female with mechanical inclinations?)

Lastly, is this something where I really might want someone with some muscle to be there with me for? I'd hate to get it torn apart only to find I cannot wrestle the thing to its final end. LOL

Many thanks, everyone...

 

[Alec]

If you think there's something wrong with the bearings, definately get them checked. I had a wheel try to fall off at 40 mph due to a failed bearing; no fun!

 

[rollinstone]

Symptoms? I just went thru this with my right front bearing...experienced a thrumming noise like the tires were cupping. Now, I have a '97 AWD, so I think the bearing package is different. I spent so much time rebalancing and rotating wheels that eventually I noticed the wheel in question was tilted out at the bottom...just short of failure. Took that baby in and had it fixed...just shy of $500...for one! It was mid-week and I needed the car done quickly, but as I approach this situation next time for the left side, I'll probably do it myself.

I don't think there's much strength involved with the job, but you may need to rent a pulling device to get the hub off the spindle...but then again, your bearing ass'y may be less complex than mine. Good luck and heed the advice above!

r.s.

 

[Laura69]

Thanks, guys. Yeah, I have a terrible fear of a wheel just flying off while doing 80. LOL Pretty much ruins a day. Hopefully, I can get a better idea of what I am going to run into if/when I get the thing torn apart.

 

[Fusion213]

Is it kind of a squeaky noise? It could be your dust seals. The a TSB out there. Every now and then I see a second gen that squeaks, I try to catch up to them and tell them what it could be... but i'm usually walking to class or something.

I'm lazy so I just put some motor oil where the CV goes into the hub. One day i'll take it apart and put the new dust seals in.

 

[Laura69]

Nope, not so much squeaky as grindy. But a good thing to remember, nonetheless.

 

[97emerald]

If it only does it when wheels are turned on a lock, it could be front cv joints are bad. Are the boots intact? I assume you have cv joints, My 97 does.

 

[huskyfan23]

I jacked up the front today, and spun the passenger wheel both ways and got no sound. When I spun the driver side, it would make a squeak every time i switched spinning direction. Is this a sign of bad bearings?

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

i do not have anything smart or witty to say, but i do want to know the answer and i like useing the faces

 

[PghBill]

Just Had Same Problem . . .

At first I thought it was cupping tires. But the trip to OBX was long-planned. As the miles increased, so did the noise. After 500+ miles, it was really loud. It was a front wheel bearing - somehow grit got inside. $400 buck later, its fixed.

I too had visions of the wheel siezing up or coming off.

 

[slag]

lucky for us 1st gens, the front wheel bearings are only $8.99 apiece and are not press ins.. the inner and outer are interchangeable and take about an hour or so to replace.