Car is relatively low mileage, and has been gently driven and well maintained. First symptom was a reduction in fuel efficiency and shortly after the mechanical grinding/whirring became apparent. This noise was audible at all speeds, with increasing intensity as speed increased. Braking did not alter the noise, other than the decrease in intensity as speed decreased.
No clicking/popping was evident and I took the car into a parking lot where I did lots of circles at varying speeds to determine what exactly was going on. No clicking/popping was evident (CV joints) and no other issues were apparent other than the noise at speed.
Based on this analysis I determined that it was not a dragging caliper or a CV joint, and decided to replace the bearings. The old bearings were extremely rusted and difficult to rotate. It took a lot of effort (and time) to remove the old bearings.
Both front wheel hubs were replaced (MOOG bearings were used as a replacement, 5 stud, ABS) and the issue was immediately resolved. A wheel alignment was performed on the vehicle shortly after.
Immediate effects include no more noise, improved fuel efficiency, and happiness.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Car is relatively low mileage, and has been gently driven and well maintained. First symptom was a reduction in fuel efficiency and shortly after the mechanical grinding/whirring became apparent. This noise was audible at all speeds, with increasing intensity as speed increased. Braking did not alter the noise, other than the decrease in intensity as speed decreased.
No clicking/popping was evident and I took the car into a parking lot where I did lots of circles at varying speeds to determine what exactly was going on. No clicking/popping was evident (CV joints) and no other issues were apparent other than the noise at speed.
Based on this analysis I determined that it was not a dragging caliper or a CV joint, and decided to replace the bearings. The old bearings were extremely rusted and difficult to rotate. It took a lot of effort (and time) to remove the old bearings.
Both front wheel hubs were replaced (MOOG bearings were used as a replacement, 5 stud, ABS) and the issue was immediately resolved. A wheel alignment was performed on the vehicle shortly after.
Immediate effects include no more noise, improved fuel efficiency, and happiness.
- Abhay F., London, Ontario, Canada