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Wheel bearings or just road noise

Old 12-13-2010, 11:30 PM
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CHRIS COVE
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Default Wheel bearings or just road noise

I'm experiencing what I think is a lot of road noise from the back end and can't hold a conversation without raising my voice. Can the sound of bad wheel bearings be mistaken for road noise or do bad bearing make a different sound. Also I plan on getting rid of the runflats asap.
Old 12-13-2010, 11:41 PM
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Do you have old Good Year runflat tires?
Old 12-13-2010, 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by CHRIS COVE
I'm experiencing what I think is a lot of road noise from the back end and can't hold a conversation without raising my voice. Can the sound of bad wheel bearings be mistaken for road noise or do bad bearing make a different sound. Also I plan on getting rid of the runflats asap.


WAY MORE info needed, pavement, miles on car, hearing aids turned up to much, stereo down to low,,,get my drift.


Chances are you won't hear wheel bearings at the back and would have to be real good to hear them in the front.


I have nearly 79K on the clock, just did major brake work last weekend,,,bearings we dead silent at all four corners in a quiet garage!

Last edited by Silverbullet00; 12-13-2010 at 11:56 PM.
Old 12-13-2010, 11:50 PM
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I have Michelin Pilot Sports. Prior to that Goodyear and Kumho and never noticed a problem with those. It's loudest around 68mph. High pitch whine driving down the freeway. I have 105,000 miles on the car. No need for hearing aids yet, although this may lead to needing them.
Old 12-13-2010, 11:52 PM
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Only 8,000 miles on the tires
Old 12-14-2010, 12:34 AM
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One good common sense test for wheel bearings is the wiggle test. Jack up the car and Grab the wheel at the NORTH/SOUTH & EAST/WEST (000/180 & 090/270) deg quadrants and push pull the wheel. With a GOOD bearing, the deflection should be very little if any. The more you see/feel, the worse the bearing is. If you see a LOT, a new bearing assy is needed.

FRONT BRG ASSY





REAR BRG ASSY





BC
Old 12-14-2010, 12:55 AM
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Good point I'll try that. Damn the bearing assembly doesn't look cheep.
Old 12-14-2010, 01:13 AM
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PM me if you have questions.
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Old 12-14-2010, 01:36 AM
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No, they are not cheap.... I would like to find a good deal on a pair of rears to swap mine!!! If it is the rears, they are def. loud in the car, kinda hard to talk over!!
Old 12-14-2010, 02:58 AM
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I had the same type of noise on my 97. There was a lot of noise from the rear. When I put Firestone Run Flats on the car I thought it was supposed to get quieter but it didn't so I took it in to have it checked. Turned out I had to have all 4 wheel bearings replaced (bless GMPP). The noisiest bearing was the right front. The mechanic told me he couldn't tell the bearing was bad until he removed it from the car and turned it in his hands and felt how rough it was.

Bill
Old 12-14-2010, 07:22 AM
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High pitch whine? the Passenger? Just kidding

Check the bearings as Bill mentions and or

could be the diff fluid needs to be changed.
Old 12-14-2010, 10:55 AM
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Thanks everyone. I'm bringing it in to get the bearings/Diff checked out. $$$ I can see it coming!
Old 12-14-2010, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by CHRIS COVE
Thanks everyone. I'm bringing it in to get the bearings/Diff checked out. $$$ I can see it coming!
This is something you can do on a week-end. Remember, stay away form "stealerShips", if you can.
Old 12-16-2010, 09:17 PM
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UPDATE: It was my right rear wheel bearing. Got it replaced and the interior is quit now. Besides the load noise my dashboard, doors and roof where rattling so bad I was going crazy.

Thanks for the replies!!
Old 12-16-2010, 09:18 PM
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$600.00 Dealer repair. Not too bad. Dealer bearing is $283.00 alone.

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