So my mechanic said my front drivers side wheel bearing is "growling" and i should replace it soon. My main issue is that i need to drive my car from connecticut to maryland and back soon and cant replace the bearing before. Is that safe? I just dont want to be stuck in maryland. Also, should i replace the whole hub assembly? And lastly, should i do both sides at once?

 

That distance?

Replace it. You can go either way, Since you already have been to a shop you can go for the press-in bearings, doing both sides should be about 70-80 bucks. The whole hub assembly will probably be around 120 for each side.

 

He told me 300 total for the job. I trust this guy more than.most mechanics so i will assume thats the whole hub.

My point was that i cant fix it until after the trip and i want to make sure im not doing any extra damage to the car or myself haha

 

think of it this way, you've already gone this long without replaing ghem and if your mechanic didnt tell you they were ba would you have known??



They are easy to replace ( ok easy for me because i am a mechanic and have already done mine ) for him.

Remove spindle assembly, press out hub, remove circlips, press out bearing ( its a sealed unit so no need for seals ) , replace inner circlip for guidance on when to stop pressing in new bearing, press in new bearing until it seats to outer circlip, install inner circlip, press in hub assembly and reinstall spindle to strut/tie rod/axle .....


It really is that easy ...or you can make it even easier and remove hub/spindle assembly and take it to a machine shop with new bearing and have htem do the pressing in and out

 

If you don't replace it, then you're gonna spend even more money. It will weld to the hub (not a bad idea to replace it anyway). After that it's going to start eating the knuckle up.

 

Guess ill be replacing it before the drive somehow. Thanks for all the input!

 

did u ever fix that problem with that bearing.......cuz i have a similar problem...it almost sounds like my car is huming the whole time im driving...and when i hit a turn or braking very slightly and coming to a stop....its really loud "growling" noise like u said.....

 

If you want to check your wheel bearings, lift up the front of your car. With the tires off the ground, grab the wheel at the top and the bottom, and try to move it back and forth (not rotating the wheel but push the top and bottom toward the engine). If It feels loose, then there is a great chance your wheel bearing is shot. But it could also be the control arm bushings, so if you are not mechanically inclined, your best bet is probably to leave it in the hands of a pro...

 

Got a digi cam with sound? That sounds like typical wheel bearing death, but it's hard to diagnose via text.

Great advice and certainly the best because it is free.

 

ill take your advise gizmo......at this point im having to change out my front brakes....so my car is up in the air right now...ill double check for that bearing.....
i know this isnt a post for brakes.....but can someone post up....how to adjust the ebrake.....i had to loosen it up at the plug in the rear rotor....my ebrake at this point feels really soft...

 

get a rental