1999 Legacy Brighton Wagon-2.2L, 225,400 Original miles.

 

3 0r 4 days ago my wife is driving the car and had to slame on the brakes...(she said she really hit'em hard)

She tells me that the front locked up and skidded a little.

When she let off, it seemed as those something was holding her back...like the brakes did not totaly dis-engage. I thought it may have a Caliper issue.

I drove it a little...it drives ok but it is now makig a "bumping" noise. Seems to be coming from front left..definately the front.

It will get faster or slower with the speed of the car.

At first, it would get quieter when the Brake is applied.(hence the caliper diagnosis)

Today I pulled apart the left front caliper apart. Nothing seemed unusual. The bottom slide pin is a little loose. Turns out the seal at the end of the slide pin was missing. I manufactured a new one and installed it.

I cleaned the caliper with a file and a right angle die grinder with a "cookie" on it. Re-lubed and re-assembled. The caliper piston was not locked up. Everything seemed to be ok.

Took it for a test drive and the sound is still there! I thought the pads might have been "walking" around in the bracket...?

The axle seems ok. Its not a clicking sound like a bad CV-joint would make.

I'm stumped! need some advice! Thanks!

Sounds like a flat spot on the tire. Might even be a broken belt. Do you feel any shaking at higher speeds? (40 - 60 mph)

What happens if you jack up that corner and spin the tire by hand? Do you hear the noise?

Wheel Bearing! sounds like you will need to get into a wheel bearing soon. make sure the cv axle nut is tightened to 145 ft/lb and that all the washers are there and installed correctly.

 

if you removed the axle nut and washer, you will notice the washer is somewhat bowl shaped, with the bottom of the bowl against the nut, and the rim of the bowl against the cone washer.

 

good luck, let us know what you find.

If she got 'em hot and then had to site for a minute or two without rolling, may have transferred some pad material to the rotor.

 

Usually is only felt when 'on' the brakes.

 

Dave

Wheel Bearing! sounds like you will need to get into a wheel bearing soon. make sure the cv axle nut is tightened to 145 ft/lb and that all the washers are there and installed correctly.

 

if you removed the axle nut and washer, you will notice the washer is somewhat bowl shaped, with the bottom of the bowl against the nut, and the rim of the bowl against the cone washer.

 

good luck, let us know what you find.

 

I think I can safely rule out a wheel bearing, at least on the front left, i just replaced it around Christmas time.

I don't know about the right front though.

I think i will start with the basics...I will rotate the tires one at a time and see if the noise changes location.

If it does, I can work on tire or rim replacement. If not...at least I have ruled that out.I deffinately will keep you guys posted though..thanks for the ideas!

bump

wheel bearings can be kind of vague. sometimes they wont even make any noise.

 

one thing to watch out for is how your steering feels. when the bearings go on one side, the steering will react faster one direction and be dealyed the other direction.

 

you will have different symptoms depending on whether the inner or outer bearing is failing. an inner bearing faulure is a little more obscure.

 

good luck and let us know what you find out. i'll put my money on a wheel bearing