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#1
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
Hi.
I have a 2001 Saturn SL1. 109k miles. 4 brand new tires (last week). For the past 6months, something in front left of car makes a "grrrrr" noise which only starts to be noticeable when going faster than 30mph, and increases in volume, and pitch, with speed. I don't think it's the engine or transmission, because I was on highway and bumped into neutral and could rev the engine but the grrr sound was still constant and only changes pitch with speed. Also changes pitch momentarily if I hit a dip in the road. Even the 4 new tires I installed make no difference in the grrr. Wheels and stearing wheel doesn't really shake or anything abnormal. I've read about wheel bearings potentially being such a cause. Or maybe, if pitch changes when I hit a dip, could it be an engine mount problem? Any ideas? Thanks Theodore. |
#2
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
In article >, millinghill > wrote:
>Hi. >I have a 2001 Saturn SL1. 109k miles. 4 brand new tires (last >week). For the past 6months, something in front left of car makes a >"grrrrr" noise which only starts to be noticeable when going faster >than 30mph, and increases in volume, and pitch, with speed. I don't >think it's the engine or transmission, because I was on highway and >bumped into neutral and could rev the engine but the grrr sound was >still constant and only changes pitch with speed. Also changes pitch >momentarily if I hit a dip in the road. Even the 4 new tires I >installed make no difference in the grrr. Wheels and stearing wheel >doesn't really shake or anything abnormal. I've read about wheel >bearings potentially being such a cause. Or maybe, if pitch changes >when I hit a dip, could it be an engine mount problem? Any ideas? If it were an engine mount problem, the noise would have changed when you shifted into neutral and revved the engine. This is not engine-related. Wheel bearings are a possible cause, although I'm more inclined to think CV joints -- wheel bearing problems more commonly manifest as a whine, rather than a growl, IME. It could also be brakes -- if you apply the brakes lightly while keeping enough pressure on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed, what happens to the noise? |
#3
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
"Doug Miller" > wrote in message ... > In article > >, > millinghill > wrote: >>Hi. >>I have a 2001 Saturn SL1. 109k miles. 4 brand new tires (last >>week). For the past 6months, something in front left of car makes a >>"grrrrr" noise which only starts to be noticeable when going faster >>than 30mph, and increases in volume, and pitch, with speed. I don't >>think it's the engine or transmission, because I was on highway and >>bumped into neutral and could rev the engine but the grrr sound was >>still constant and only changes pitch with speed. Also changes pitch >>momentarily if I hit a dip in the road. Even the 4 new tires I >>installed make no difference in the grrr. Wheels and stearing wheel >>doesn't really shake or anything abnormal. I've read about wheel >>bearings potentially being such a cause. Or maybe, if pitch changes >>when I hit a dip, could it be an engine mount problem? Any ideas? > > If it were an engine mount problem, the noise would have changed when you > shifted into neutral and revved the engine. This is not engine-related. > > Wheel bearings are a possible cause, although I'm more inclined to think > CV > joints -- wheel bearing problems more commonly manifest as a whine, rather > than a growl, IME. > > It could also be brakes -- if you apply the brakes lightly while keeping > enough pressure on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed, what > happens > to the noise? +1 to above, but CV joint failure often causes clicking noise especially when turning sharply at slow speed. .. IMHE worn wheel bearing noise will vary (usually increase) when subjected to side loading such as turning or changing direction. Often one direction will be louder than the other. A series of (careful) slalom type manoeuvres when on a straight level road (when safe to do so, wide dry road, no traffic) will usually tell the story. In addition, jack up each wheel and inspect for roughness, noise or most likely excessive side play at the top and bottom of the wheel. Could also be rear wheel bearing as it is hard to determine noise source from inside when driving? IMHE bad wheel bearings will make noise for a long time without complete failure but YMMV and failure could cause a serious accident. Good luck, YMMV |
#4
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
On Mar 4, 7:30*pm, "Private" > wrote:
> "Doug Miller" > wrote in message > > > If it were an engine mount problem, the noise would have changed when you > > shifted into neutral and revved the engine. This is not engine-related. > > > Wheel bearings are a possible cause, although I'm more inclined to think > > CV > > joints -- wheel bearing problems more commonly manifest as a whine, rather > > than a growl, IME. > > > It could also be brakes -- if you apply the brakes lightly while keeping > > enough pressure on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed, what > > happens > > to the noise? > > +1 to above, but CV joint failure often causes clicking noise especially > when turning sharply at slow speed. > . > IMHE worn wheel bearing noise will vary (usually increase) when subjected to > side loading such as turning or changing direction. *Often one direction > will be louder than the other. *A series of (careful) slalom type manoeuvres > when on a straight level road (when safe to do so, wide dry road, no > traffic) will usually tell the story. *In addition, jack up each wheel and > inspect for roughness, noise or most likely excessive side play at the top > and bottom of the wheel. *Could also be rear wheel bearing as it is hard to > determine noise source from inside when driving? *IMHE bad wheel bearings > will make noise for a long time without complete failure but YMMV and > failure could cause a serious accident. > > Good luck, YMMV- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - Hi, ok so I did the slalom thing going 30mph. The "grrrr" from the front fluctuated between "rah" and a "ruh" every time I turned the wheel in the opposite direction. Went back to grrrr immediately thereafter as I continued straight. I'm just hoping for some diagnosis advice and help, as doing the work myself is beyond my capabilities and (having recently moved) I'm not sure who's the most trustworthy mechanic in my new neighborhood. I'd like to go into the shop showing some intelligence. Is the consensus still wheel bearings? All opinions appreciated. Regards, Theodore. |
#5
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
In article >, Anna Falcone > wrote:
>Hi, ok so I did the slalom thing going 30mph. The "grrrr" from the >front fluctuated between "rah" and a "ruh" every time I turned the >wheel in the opposite direction. Went back to grrrr immediately >thereafter as I continued straight. Wheel bearing. That's conclusive. |
#6
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
On Mar 4, 7:30*pm, "Private" > wrote:
> "Doug Miller" > wrote in message > > > If it were an engine mount problem, the noise would have changed when you > > shifted into neutral and revved the engine. This is not engine-related. > > > Wheel bearings are a possible cause, although I'm more inclined to think > > CV > > joints -- wheel bearing problems more commonly manifest as a whine, rather > > than a growl, IME. > > > It could also be brakes -- if you apply the brakes lightly while keeping > > enough pressure on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed, what > > happens > > to the noise? > > +1 to above, but CV joint failure often causes clicking noise especially > when turning sharply at slow speed. > . > IMHE worn wheel bearing noise will vary (usually increase) when subjected to > side loading such as turning or changing direction. *Often one direction > will be louder than the other. *A series of (careful) slalom type manoeuvres > when on a straight level road (when safe to do so, wide dry road, no > traffic) will usually tell the story. *In addition, jack up each wheel and > inspect for roughness, noise or most likely excessive side play at the top > and bottom of the wheel. *Could also be rear wheel bearing as it is hard to > determine noise source from inside when driving? *IMHE bad wheel bearings > will make noise for a long time without complete failure but YMMV and > failure could cause a serious accident. > > Good luck, YMMV- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - Hi, ok so I did the slalom thing going 30mph. The "grrrr" from the front fluctuated between "rah" and a "ruh" every time I turned the wheel in the opposite direction. Went back to grrrr immediately thereafter as I continued straight. Noise is not affected by applying brakes at all, so pretty sure brakes aren't the cause. I'm just hoping for some diagnosis advice and help, as doing the work myself is beyond my capabilities and (having recently moved) I'm not sure who's the most trustworthy mechanic in my new neighborhood. I'd like to go into the shop showing some intelligence. Is the consensus still wheel bearings? All opinions appreciated. Regards, Theodore. |
#7
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
"millinghill" > wrote in message ... On Mar 4, 7:30 pm, "Private" > wrote: > "Doug Miller" > wrote in message > > > If it were an engine mount problem, the noise would have changed when > > you > > shifted into neutral and revved the engine. This is not engine-related. > > > Wheel bearings are a possible cause, although I'm more inclined to think > > CV > > joints -- wheel bearing problems more commonly manifest as a whine, > > rather > > than a growl, IME. > > > It could also be brakes -- if you apply the brakes lightly while keeping > > enough pressure on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed, what > > happens > > to the noise? > > +1 to above, but CV joint failure often causes clicking noise especially > when turning sharply at slow speed. > . > IMHE worn wheel bearing noise will vary (usually increase) when subjected > to > side loading such as turning or changing direction. Often one direction > will be louder than the other. A series of (careful) slalom type > manoeuvres > when on a straight level road (when safe to do so, wide dry road, no > traffic) will usually tell the story. In addition, jack up each wheel and > inspect for roughness, noise or most likely excessive side play at the top > and bottom of the wheel. Could also be rear wheel bearing as it is hard to > determine noise source from inside when driving? IMHE bad wheel bearings > will make noise for a long time without complete failure but YMMV and > failure could cause a serious accident. > > Good luck, YMMV- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - Hi, ok so I did the slalom thing going 30mph. The "grrrr" from the front fluctuated between "rah" and a "ruh" every time I turned the wheel in the opposite direction. Went back to grrrr immediately thereafter as I continued straight. Noise is not affected by applying brakes at all, so pretty sure brakes aren't the cause. I'm just hoping for some diagnosis advice and help, as doing the work myself is beyond my capabilities and (having recently moved) I'm not sure who's the most trustworthy mechanic in my new neighborhood. I'd like to go into the shop showing some intelligence. Is the consensus still wheel bearings? All opinions appreciated. Regards, Theodore. I usually do the slalom thing at a faster speed as IMHE noise at slower speed is often increasingly noticed as the bearing gets worse, YMMV. I strongly suspect one of your front wheel bearings is going bad, but as I said previously, >In addition, jack up each wheel (including rears) and >inspect for >roughness, noise or most likely excessive side >play at the top and bottom >of the wheel. Noise and roughness can be hard to spot when the brake callipers are still installed, unless the bearing is very worn. While you have the wheel off the ground, also check for play in the tie rod ends by rocking the wheel in a steering motion (side to side) and (use a crowbar - carefully, do not damage the CV boot) check for play in the ball joints. When you take the car to a shop for an estimate, demand to witness the mechanic doing these checks. Do not accept any crap about insurance not covering you in the shop, but expect to wear safety glasses and do not touch any tools. This is a straight forward job for which the shop should be able to provide a firm price quote. Make sure they have the correct press tool so they will only be pushing on the new bearing outer race when pressing it into the steering knuckle and also that they will be installing a top quality bearing. Good luck, YMMV |
#8
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
millinghill wrote:
> Hi. > I have a 2001 Saturn SL1. 109k miles. 4 brand new tires (last > week). For the past 6months, something in front left of car makes a > "grrrrr" noise which only starts to be noticeable when going faster > than 30mph, and increases in volume, and pitch, with speed. I don't > think it's the engine or transmission, because I was on highway and > bumped into neutral and could rev the engine but the grrr sound was > still constant and only changes pitch with speed. Also changes pitch > momentarily if I hit a dip in the road. Even the 4 new tires I > installed make no difference in the grrr. Wheels and stearing wheel > doesn't really shake or anything abnormal. I've read about wheel > bearings potentially being such a cause. Or maybe, if pitch changes > when I hit a dip, could it be an engine mount problem? Any ideas? > Thanks > Theodore. It's the wheel bearing. If it's the left front it will become slightly louder when you turn sharply to the right and almost go away when you turn to the left. (vice versa for right front) This is a very common thing for Saturns. You can get it replaced at a wheel shop like Midas or Les Schwab. Make sure they do a 4-wheel alignment after replacing it. -- Posted with OS/2 Warp 4.52 and Sea Monkey 1.5a |
#9
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
"David T. Johnson" > wrote in message diainc... snip > It's the wheel bearing. snip > Make sure they do a 4-wheel alignment after replacing it. > WHY? IMHO no alignment is required simply due to wheel bearing failure or replacement. Good luck, YMMV |
#10
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"Grrrr" wheel bearing or engine mount problem??
Private wrote:
> "David T. Johnson" > wrote in message > diainc... > snip >> It's the wheel bearing. > snip >> Make sure they do a 4-wheel alignment after replacing it. >> > > WHY? > IMHO no alignment is required simply due to wheel bearing failure or > replacement. > > Good luck, YMMV > > Replacing the front wheel bearing requires removal of suspension components that must be aligned after they are reinstalled. -- Posted with OS/2 Warp 4.52 and Sea Monkey 1.5a |
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