Thomas A
Registered User
After doing some reading and giving it some thought, I am fairly certain that my 1996 Thunderbird (171k) is due for some new front wheel bearings. I was hoping to get a second opinion before buying any parts and tearing into it.
HISTORY:
I have had a slight shake develop in the steering wheel over the past month or so. I installed some used tires with good tread that were balanced, and the shake became much worse. Tire shop said they were perfectly balanced, but the tires had run out. While the tires have 80% tread, they are 9 years old! Didn't realize that till I installed them. The only reason I mention this is because I think the shaking has added extra stress to the front end components.
Also, I replaced all the rotors/pads on the car last week. The caliper pins were in bad shape (had to replace one as it was completely siezed), so I cleaned and greased all of them. The car stops great, and doesn't pull at all, and the brakes are not sticking like they had when I first installed them before correcting the pin issue. However, the passenger side brakes did get pretty hot before I got the issue resolved. I mention this as I am sure the extra heat shortened the life of the wheel bearing significantly, and the noise showed up after this.
SYMPTOMS:
Here is the actual issue, that has me thinking wheel bearing problems. After the car has been driven a few miles(5+ or so), the car develops a loud, high pitched squeaking noise from the front. It is in time with the rotation of the wheel, increasing in frequency the faster the car is moving. (Think "Squeak..........Squeak......Squeak.....Squeak...Squeak..Squeak.Squeak.Squeak")
As soon as I apply the brakes at all, the noise goes away, and promptly returns when the brakes are released. The noise goes away when turning, or even if I turn the wheel back and forth going down the street. As soon as the car is heading straight again, the noise is there. I'm thinking that braking or turning shifts the load from the wheels, thus reducing the stress and reliving the noise??
CLIFF NOTES:
Loud rotational Squeaking Noise from front.
Goes away when braking or turning.
Only appears after driving 5+ miles
So, any thoughts? I feel fairly confident the front wheel bearings need to be replaced, but want to be sure. I suppose it could be a brake issue considering the recent history of brake work and the noise showing up shortly after that.
Thomas
HISTORY:
I have had a slight shake develop in the steering wheel over the past month or so. I installed some used tires with good tread that were balanced, and the shake became much worse. Tire shop said they were perfectly balanced, but the tires had run out. While the tires have 80% tread, they are 9 years old! Didn't realize that till I installed them. The only reason I mention this is because I think the shaking has added extra stress to the front end components.
Also, I replaced all the rotors/pads on the car last week. The caliper pins were in bad shape (had to replace one as it was completely siezed), so I cleaned and greased all of them. The car stops great, and doesn't pull at all, and the brakes are not sticking like they had when I first installed them before correcting the pin issue. However, the passenger side brakes did get pretty hot before I got the issue resolved. I mention this as I am sure the extra heat shortened the life of the wheel bearing significantly, and the noise showed up after this.
SYMPTOMS:
Here is the actual issue, that has me thinking wheel bearing problems. After the car has been driven a few miles(5+ or so), the car develops a loud, high pitched squeaking noise from the front. It is in time with the rotation of the wheel, increasing in frequency the faster the car is moving. (Think "Squeak..........Squeak......Squeak.....Squeak...Squeak..Squeak.Squeak.Squeak")
As soon as I apply the brakes at all, the noise goes away, and promptly returns when the brakes are released. The noise goes away when turning, or even if I turn the wheel back and forth going down the street. As soon as the car is heading straight again, the noise is there. I'm thinking that braking or turning shifts the load from the wheels, thus reducing the stress and reliving the noise??
CLIFF NOTES:
Loud rotational Squeaking Noise from front.
Goes away when braking or turning.
Only appears after driving 5+ miles
So, any thoughts? I feel fairly confident the front wheel bearings need to be replaced, but want to be sure. I suppose it could be a brake issue considering the recent history of brake work and the noise showing up shortly after that.
Thomas