[riesman20]

I just want my suspicions confirmed or denied.

I have a 1997 Pontiac Montana (yes far from a HotRod but I can't drive the Marauder all the time), just this week I heard a sound coming from the driver side that sounded like when we were kids and you put a baseball card in your wheel. The sound of course changed with tire speed (and not engine rpm). As I rotated the tires recently I wondered if that was the problem, but tonight I popped the tire off and put it in gear and when I did the disc brake and shaft were wobbling pretty good.

Now the question is it absolutely the CV shaft or could it be something else?

Thanks for any responses.

[russlaferrera]

Sounds bad. Jack up the car and hold the tire while moving the driveshaft. You should see and feel the play in the bad cv joint.

Hope this helps, Russ

[1931 steve]

Is the boot(s) riped on the axle? Does it only make this sound on turns? If the boots are not riped I would look at the wheel bearing/hub assembly more than the axle shaft. Most of the time a bad axle will only make noise on turns, and yes some movement is normal. Did you put a lug nut back on to hold the brake rotor while you were testing? If not that may be why the brake rotor was wobbling

Steve

[riesman20]

I can't say it is any worse on turns however when I back up and have the steering wheel turn completely it was clicking on tire rotation.

Upon inspection of the boots I did not see any breaks on the rubber. I did put the lug nuts back on the rotor when I tested it. How could I be sure it was the bearing or the hub? the shaft sure wobbles.

[1931 steve]

The bearing and hub comes as on piece. What kind of noise is it making? A clicking sound or is it more of a roaring sound that increases with speed? When you are driving down the road and the noise is being heard, turn the steering wheel slightly ( like a drunk drive might drive) and see if the noise changes? If so it is more than likely a bad wheel bearing/hub assembly.

Keep in mind that diagnosing this problem without hearing it is very difficult.

Steve

[riesman20]

I know it is hard to decipher the best way I can describe the noise is that it sounds like a low pitched growl that grows with speed. I turned the wheels right and left when driving and it seems to stop.

[1931 steve]

Originally Posted by riesman20

I know it is hard to decipher the best way I can describe the noise is that it sounds like a low pitched growl that grows with speed. I turned the wheels right and left when driving and it seems to stop.

If I was a betting man I would install a new wheel bearing/hub assembly. Use a BCA or Timken bearing if you can find one, try to stay away from the cheap autozone type bearings.

Steve

[riesman20]

Thanks for the responses Steve.

One quick last question, would this problem reverberate into the CV shaft and cause the wobble on the shaft?

[1931 steve]

No. The shaft will have some wobble to it. Ive never seen one that didn't.

Steve

[riesman20]

Anybody have any advice on how to remove the hub and bearing assembly from the vehicle?? I have everything removed but was wondering if it has to be pulled from the front or pushed from the back???

Please keep in mind that I have a small bearing puller and then then normal shop tools.

[1931 steve]

Did you remove the 4 bolts from the back side and the center axle nut? If so just tap on the hub part and it will work its way off. Be careful of the speed sensor.

Steve

[riesman20]

Well, I replaced it. It took about 2 hours. The noise is gone but I still have some movement in the front end on the highway it shakes the steering wheel a bit. Is it possible that the shaft caused the bearing to fail?? The shaft still has a wobble in it when it is running (on inspection) but I did not feel any play in it when I had it apart??

Or do I just need a wheel alignment??

[DrChop]

I have replaced more than one hub bearing assembly only to find that the hammering it was doing was beating the tie rods...
Also, most aftermarket tie rod ends are available in a greasable design with a zerk fitting. Most stock parts in this day and age are not, and are inherently more prone to failure. Think about it, if you were an automaker, why put grease fittings on anything? You'd WANT the frontend to wear out, so the customer would get rid of the car and buy another new one...

Doc