Car is making a really LOUD roaring noise :(

[TimmyBigHands]

Hey guys. Here's my problem. I bought this car about 2 months ago. When I bought her, it needed a coupla things - I'm getting to them one by one. This is the current problem:

The other day I went on a road trip to AZ with some friends. As we were driving, this roaring noise became louder and louder. I mean it was LOUD. I had to put the windows down and crand up the tunes to get around it :(

We noticed that if I turn to the left, the noise goes away :) But if I go straight or turn to the right, it's the same LOUD roaring noise. Anyway, on the way home, the front left tire's tread just came off. Kinda like the ones you see on the side of the road, 'cept this one was smaller, and MINE.

Anyway, my major question is this: do you think it's the tires causing this annoyance, or are my wheel bearings shot? I need to fix it, soon - but dont have the $ to just go replacing tires AND wheel bearings. What is more likely the problem?

[e30Matt]

Left front wheel bearing. Almost positive.

[Charlie]

Well, here's the obvious question, when you put the spare tire on, did the roaring noise come back?

If so, than it's likely to be a wheel bearing. Those aren't fun to change, at all.

-Charlie

[e30Matt]

Well, here's the obvious question, when you put the spare tire on, did the roaring noise come back?

If so, than it's likely to be a wheel bearing. Those aren't fun to change, at all.

-Charlie

Front wheel bearings are easy. Replace the whole hub assembly.

REAR wheel bearings are the bitches.

[NewmanJ87]

Yea I agree, I had a bad passenger wheel bearing. They groan when you put wieght on them, so that sounds like whats up. :)

[TimmyBigHands]

When I put the spare tire on, the noise is still there. I guess your right - it's the bearing.

So, to break this down quickly... if I turn left, the noise goes away - and that means it's the front left that's bad?

The local autozone says it's $85 a peice for the wheel bearing. And this should be an easy swap, right? Remove tire, brake caplipers, rotors, then the wheel bearing, right? Thanks for the really fast responses guys!!

[e30Matt]

Just order the whole assembly from BavAuto.

[TimmyBigHands]

the entire hub assy is the same price as the bearing alone :) lol

[Dave]

The local autozone says it's $85 a peice for the wheel bearing.

Get it from BavAuto, BMA or somewhere else that sells OEM parts. Autozone is fine for oil, wiper blades and spark plugs, but I would watch it with mechanical parts.

[e30Matt]

the entire hub assy is the same price as the bearing alone :) lol

It's not worth trying to press the bearing out when you can just replace the whole unit.

[kylebes1]

I bought a pilot bearing the other day form Autozone to put in the m50 so I could finish the swap. Well I did not think to test it on the transmission first, I just had tought the part owuld be correct. Well I tried my hardest to put the trans on, after install ing the entire clutch ect. The piloit bearing turned out to be the wrong one!! the OD was correct but the ID was .1 inch less than it should have been. So oil and wipers is all I will evr buy from Autozone ever again!

[TimmyBigHands]

You guys are DAMN fast with the responses. Thanks again. I have to sell some stuff to put $ into paypal now... I no longer use credit cards, so it looks as if I cant order unless through paypal.

[nando]

my rear wheel bearings squeak like rusty brakes right now.. they'll be replaced soon though.

[TimmyBigHands]

I ordered my hub/bearing today from BavAuto. It was a total of only 100.15 shipped 3 day express. Not bad, since the best quote I got locally was 125.16 and had to be ordered into stock!

[TimmyBigHands]

TTT

I was wondering. Did anyone who has already replaced their front wheel bearing have to use a "puller" to get the hub off? I want to know if I should go rent one, or not even waste my time with it. Thanks again!