ron2368 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I have a legacy 92 fwd. The rear wheel is making a thumping noise and lots of rear end vibration . Its most noticable at 15-20 mph and about 40. As I slow down the rear vibrates . The other day I pulled off the caliper and put it back on and for that day no problem, maybe just a coincidence since I really did not know what I was doing. The rear bars were all stable not loose. I didnt know how to check the strut but it seemed stable . I dont know what it is but my best guesses were strut, brake and bearings. This am I drove to town and back the noise was really bad. When I got home the whole tire rim and lug nuts were very hot to touch. I pulled the wheel off but I do not know what to do. Could someone please help? Thank you much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Regardless, if it is hot you need it fixed now. This can end up throwing a wheel and costing far more from other damage. Usually I check by jacking it up and spinning the wheel and trying it side to side for play. Sometimes you have to pull the claiper out of the way to be sure it's not sticking brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron2368 Posted December 18, 2004 Author Share Posted December 18, 2004 I was going to look at the bearing. I bent the little tab on the nut but was unable to unscrew it and I tried with other leverage methods and it would not budge! Seemed like it was welded in place. Thought I would get the bearing out and clean or repack more grease.So much for that plan. When I had the caliper off I would spin the wheel and it was not totally smooth but I got no feel of a bad bearing like grinding sounds. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Do you have Michelins? Tread separation? Try rotating the tires. See it the sound moves. Look for buldges. Don't go faster than 25 untill you fix this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canajun2eh Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 I think you have a bad wheel bearing. That bearing needs to be replaced NOW!!!! Don't mess around with safety-related things. Let your friendly dealer handle this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron2368 Posted December 19, 2004 Author Share Posted December 19, 2004 Here is where I am at. I figured it was the bearing. When I took off the wheel I could hardly turn the rotor , it turned but was not easy. I finally loosened the nut on the bearing and took it off and the slotted washer. Figured that this would release pressure on the bearing and allow me to turn the rotor easier. BUT the rotor is still just as hard to turn. Do I need to remove the caliper to pop out the bearing? Dont think I can get the caliper off its so tight. Should I even bother now??? How can I release pressure in the caliper to see if that frees the rotor?? That appears to be my next step??? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbhrps Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 Three thoughts...One... You may have a sticking piston in that caliper, that instead of releasing entirely, is dragging the pads on the rotor, heating up the rotor and the wheel, and making it impossible for you to spin the wheel by hand...Two... If you have a bad wheel bearing, driving the car at speed in place safe to do so, swerve from side to side with some straight ahead driving from time to time. You should hear different pitched howls as the load is shifted from one side of the bearing to another. If you don't, I would suspect that your problem is somewhere else. Bearings usually make noise when they are going bad....Three...I agree with several others here, that if you really don't know how to get to the bottom of your problem, and aren't comfortable doing so, spend the money and get a competent mechanic to solve your concerns. Brakes and wheels are not something to be leaving to chance or inexperience. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 Ron, I will add my vote that you get thee to a good mechanic now. A wheel berring effects steering, a sticking caliper effects steering and braking. If you cannot steer or brake properly there is no sense in going at all. Steering and brakes are always first priority with me for just that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron2368 Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 Thanks for the advice. It was in the shop today and the caliper was bad. Frozen I suppose. I have had this car since new and this is only the second thing that has ever gone bad , 2 summers ago the starter died , so I have been very fortunate. Just need to get it inspected before the muffler rots out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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