grinding/rubbing noise low speed, Wheel bearings??

xsx450 · #1 01-17-2013, 08:20 PM

Hey Guys I have been noticing (owned the car for 3000 miles) a noise that starts to be heard around 10mph and is gone (most likely drowned out) around 35+mph.

It sounds like stone rubbing against stone, kind of like what you might think brakes might sound like if you looked at them.

Very hard to describe but it increases with speed, not rpm. doesnt change when i turn the wheel or not.

it literally sounds like someone has a stone mallet and is slowly dragging it against another stone. Some time of rough friction... or maybe a sledge hammer dragging against cement type sound.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

06 4.8is 72k CA car.

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X5SND · #2 01-17-2013, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsx450

Hey Guys I have been noticing (owned the car for 3000 miles) a noise that starts to be heard around 10mph and is gone (most likely drowned out) around 35+mph.

It sounds like stone rubbing against stone, kind of like what you might think brakes might sound like if you looked at them.

Very hard to describe but it increases with speed, not rpm. doesnt change when i turn the wheel or not.

it literally sounds like someone has a stone mallet and is slowly dragging it against another stone. Some time of rough friction... or maybe a sledge hammer dragging against cement type sound.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

06 4.8is 72k CA car.

Hanger bearing ever been done? Mine made a very similar sound when it was on its way out. Same speed range as well.

davintosh · #3 01-17-2013, 09:14 PM

By your description, that does sound like a bad bearing. Can you tell which corner of the car it's coming from?

Ours has one or more bad wheel bearings, and I'll be jiggered if I can figure out which one it is. But the car has nearly 160,000 miles on it, so I'm just going to replace them all. I've got the parts, but am currently working on getting the tools needed for the job (and giving my back some time to heal up before diving into a job that will have me crawling around on the floor most of the day.)

xsx450 · #4 01-17-2013, 11:00 PM

it sounds like both sides, or centrally, maybe a bearing coming out of the TC? either that or both wheels. Its really hard to say but definitely the front of the car.

There is a bad bushing (or shock) in the front as well (both sides) which i am tracking down by replacing one by one (thrust bushings are next). This makes me bottom out really harsh. so it would make sense that the wheel bearing are taking a beating.

Ive just never known wheel bearing to be smooth and constant i thought they were more sporatic and knocking. It sounds like im dragging something on the ground even though i am clearly not...

davintosh · #5 01-18-2013, 12:17 AM

A good way to check would be to get the front end up in the air and turn the front wheels; if it's a bearing you should be able to tell, but if it's in the driveline you should be able to isolate that as well.

X5SND · #6 01-18-2013, 12:31 AM

If it was a wheel bearing, the sound it makes would be corner biased. The fact you mention that it sounds like the back of the TC area, centerline of the vehicle would point me towards the hanger bearing.

I'm not saying that's what it IS, but everything you mention (sound, location, speed range that its most audible in, etc) are pretty much the exact symptoms I experienced.

xsx450 · #7 01-18-2013, 12:34 AM

put it on axel stands and drive it?? sounds sketcky....

I dont think it will make the sounds under 10mph

If it is the hanger bearing how involved is that? where can i buy one?

Thanks!

X5SND · #8 01-18-2013, 12:52 AM

I take it you don't have access to a hoist? Just putting it in D while in the air should be enough as there is essentially zero rolling resistance. It's not an overly complex job, but I have the luxury of a hoist to work with so I can't really speak for the at-home DIY. As long as you can get it on jack stands (or high enough to easily work) it shouldn't be an issue. ECS can get OE and aftermarket replacements.

xsx450 · #9 01-18-2013, 01:09 AM

i can probably get access to a lift. My buddy manages a big-o tires. I am just imagining it being hard with all the engine noise and exhaust noise (deleted resonator). Maybe i will give it a try.

whats the procedure for replacing the hanger bearing?

X5SND · #10 01-18-2013, 02:31 PM

First things first, get it up in the air to confirm; but You should be able to hear it with out much issue from underneath the vehicle. It's a straight forward procedure, the only thing I would stress is that you make sure to mark the shafts before separating them as it will throw the balance out if not reinstalled correctly.

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