mrsandman

I have a scraping noise from front passenger side wheel (2002 SE) when going slow (under 10 mph). Most of what I read about wheel bearings says that they make a groaning noise over 30 mph. Mine goes away if you make a left but reappears quickly. The noise occurs when going straight so I don't think its a CV joint either, I have put the car in neutral and let it coast, with the same results.

I replaced front pads and rotors last month. My rotors were frozen in place and I hit the pretty hard with a hammer to free them. Is it possible something is damaged? It wasn't a huge sledge, just a small handheld, so I don't think so. The old rotors were locked in place, now the new ones just sit on the hub with a bit of play, they don't lock in place like the old ones. Calipers assembly was put back and everything tight. Did the same to the other side and working great. Could it be that tiny bit of play in the rotor causing it? Or does it sound like something else? I made sure my wheels (factory alloy) are flush and the lugs are tight to hold the rotor on squarely.

I appreciate any input. Thanks in advance.

colt149

iTrader: (1)

Check the baffles, might be touching the rotor. Check the brake piston, might be stuck . Raise the front passenger side, let someone to apply the brake, try to rotate the tire (no movement), release the brake , then try to rotate the tire (initially there is slight resistance then it must rotate freely). Did you brake in the rotor for at least 300-400 miles? (If not: possible warp rotor)

venturous

Suspect dust cover (baffle?) rubbing.

Unclejunebug

I wouldn't rule out a wheel bearing. Jack up the passenger side of the car and see if there's any play in the wheel. Put one hand on each side of the wheel, push towards the driver side with one hand and pull towards you with the other. If the wheel moves I'd say your bearing is bad.

mrsandman

Thanks, let's hope it's something that simple. Going to check after work tonight

FanaticMadMax

wheel bearing usually makes a howling noise or a whirring noise. It might be something rubbing.

clive

You HAVE looked underneath to check for the very common issue of the waterproofing sheet coming loose and dragging on the ground?

mrsandman

Yes, I have checked for the splash shield dragging. It's more of a metallic sound than plastic or rubber

mrsandman

Just took a good look in daylight, nothing is rubbing.

mrsandman

I took a video. Looks like significant play in the wheel. Looks like I'm going for a wheel bearing. Can anyone confirm?

http://youtu.be/P3_Yk-cY1SM

george__

iTrader: (1)

It's private

mrsandman

Should be visible now, sorry about that

george__

iTrader: (1)

If you put left tires to right tires, same problem?

if so maybe time for some Timken HA590600K

mrsandman

If I make a left it goes away briefly but returns right away. Driver side has no play in it.

If its a bearing I will most likely go OEM, the car is my daily beater with 150k and a slew of other issues

george__

iTrader: (1)

Hmm like what my mechanic did was remove both tires and showed me the play on both sides...

It was minimal but I said screw it due to the age of the car and being lowered

My issue was turning extreme left & extreme right made noises.. Thought it was the plastic but after the Timken stuff got installed no noise. So I lowered the car a tiny bit more (ripped the inner axle boots due to this) but no turning noises.

mrsandman

I will try that as a last ditch effort. That amount of play all but confirms it to me though. I know the video isn't that good, I was home alone w no helper

george__

iTrader: (1)

May as well change it... The parts are at least 12 years old.

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

the car might be old, but the tire-rim moves too much, you have to check the hub, that's not the caliper at all

mrsandman

I'm going to conclude its the wheel bearing. I changed my rotors a month ago due to warping so these are brand new. Could've been caused by the bearing.

Unclejunebug

If you have play in the wheel I'd say your bearing is shot...

And definitely follow this advice. If the bearing is bad chances are the hub needs to be replaced as well.

george__

iTrader: (1)

TIMKEN HA590600K x2

mrsandman

Thanks for all the help. Not having access to a press, I will have to bring the car for service this time. Any ideas what this runs with labor?

Govols83

iTrader: (5)

Definitely the bearing. All you have to do is buy the Timken bearing and dorman hub. Then, remove the steering knuckle and take all three to a shop with a press. They should press the new bearing and hub in the knuckle for like 20 bucks, that's what my local shop charged me. Should save you a lot of money

Unclejunebug

I've had this done at a dealership and it ran me about $450 for parts and labor. If you have the time and can find a shop that can do the pressing for you you could spend considerably less.

george__

iTrader: (1)

TIMKEN HA590600K

Change the entire assembly

mrsandman

I'm going to do just that. The TIMKEN HA590600K looks like everything I need correct? I found a machine shop with a press, the rest looks do-able based on info here on the org.

mrsandman

I finally replaced the bearing and there is more play than ever in the wheel. Does anyone know if there is a decent write-up/how-to for this job? Maybe I missed something. I used the how to on youtube for an 04 Maxima, maybe a step by step specifically for a 5th gen would be better. Everything went well except the bottom bolt which has no clearance and requires a 19 mm open end wrench, which resulted in a stripped bolt which I cannot find (nissan was out of stock)

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

Is it the castle nut that goes on the balljoint your referring to? The axle gets on the way if so your only issue seems like you needed lots of penetrant solvents and a better open end wrench,that's all....what did you end up using if nissan was out of stock?how do you know it's worse?

There's a section on the fsm that touches a bit on this procedure maybe one of the guys got a link for you...

george__

iTrader: (1)

Mine is doing this too recently, either rear right or front right

So annoyed ;(

ManualMaxima

iTrader: (10)

Damn, must be national wheel bearing week. My left front started howling 2 days ago. By the way; I decided not to take the advice of the .org and just replaced only the culprit bearing a few months ago. Shoulda listened and replaced my hub too, won't make the same mistake again: kicking myself...

george__

iTrader: (1)

I fixed mine. I had too much weight in the rear end of the car.

Now the noise is gone after I removed everything heavy from the trunk. :S

ManualMaxima

iTrader: (10)

Sweet, say goodbye to that lift-off oversteer...

mrsandman

I bought a 14x 1.5 hex nut from a local hardware store as a temporary replacement. It was too tall for me to get the cotter pin in, but I have to redo the whole job anyway as I'm back to square 1. As for the open end I used an open end wrench from autozone as I had no real choice, they were my only option in walking distance. Their tools leave alot to be desired. So I'm still looking for the part from nissan, I tried 2 dealers

george__

iTrader: (1)

The tires on the car right now suck, car is sliding everywhere. Or it maybe my aggressive driving


Have you tried some internet sources?

mrsandman

Not for the tools, I just dealt with what I got from AZ which worked but stripped the bolt in the process. Can't find a good write up anywhere.

mrsandman

Thanks everyone on the org who pitched in. I finally got everything I needed and it's done. No more wheel play

george__

iTrader: (1)

Congrats

Hopefully it outlasts your ownership