I have a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr, 3.1 L V6. On highway speed,
around 90km and up, I hear this low moaning noise coming from the
front right part of the car. The volume goes up and down really
slowing. What is weird is that when I slightly turn the wheel to the
right, it disappears, but then I can’t drive straight. This has been
going on for awhile now. Any ideas will help.

2 years ago, the guy I bought it from, replaced the front rotor, I
forget which side because the car would litterally shake at highway
speeds. I’m not sure if that has to do anything with it.

--
Posted at author's request, using http://www.AutoBoardz.com interface
Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact author/report abuse
Thread archive: http://www.AutoBoardz.com/94-Pontaic...ict208328.html

Sounds like a wheel bearing.


"cardboard001" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote

"cardboard001" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote

Abomb offered sound advice (no pun intended--did this twice this AM!
Duh!). To rule out something cheap, try swapping 2 front tires. If noise
moves to other side, it could be a tire; else, bearing is probably bad, as
Abomb said. HTH, s

The only time I had ever had tire bad is when it was a pulsating buzzing
sound.


"sdlomi2" <sdlSPAMomi2 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

"cardboard001" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote

Wheel bearing.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE (AT) alltel (DOT) net

"abomb69" <abuse (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote

I've had some bad tires that made a loud screeching sound - almost always up
acceleration. Sometimes the screeching sound was accompanied by smoke
billowing out from them, and a powerful smell. Always figured these were
just bad tires...

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE (AT) alltel (DOT) net

I took the car to Midas for a free inpection, it was the wheel
bearing. Also, they quoted 175.95 for the bearing and 70$ labour to
install it. Also, on my left side(front) a ball joint was needed, the
wheel gaved a bit when he pushed into it. He quoted me 152.25 on the
ball joint and 98.00 for labour. What is your opinion on thier
pricing.

Also, I tookt he car apart to see it for myself and had a new wheel
bearing to replace, the front right wheel bearing is for sure
definately loose. I took off the axle nut and the wheeling bearing
retaining bolts (3 of them using a #55 Torque bit). Took off the
rotors and brakes pads, so it’s just the wheel hub (wheel bearing)
showing, I punched in the center of the drive axle so the wheel
bearing center is loose but I can’t get the darn thing off. There are
no nuts in it, nothing to hold it back I think. It’s really rusted,
I’m not sure if the part is rusted together or soemthing. Is it common
for the wheeling bearing to rust to the part behind it.

Once I get it off, I should be able to put in the new one on no
problem, been tryiing for 4 hours already. Any ideas will help.

"cardboard001" wrote:

"cardboard001" <none (AT) 000 (DOT) com> wrote

Throw some heat to it if you have access to torches. If not, get a bigger
hammer. You're right in guessing that the hub assembly seizes in the
steering knuckle over time. What you are probably seeing right now is a
disintegrated hub assembly. The outer part seems to come out quite nicely -
but it shouldn't. The inner half is still snugly rusted in the knuckle.
Get ornery with it and prevail by shear force.

You're on the right track. Get a little more forceful.

--

-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE (AT) alltel (DOT) netd

Remove the lower balljoint from the knuckle and the tie rod if necessary.
Use WD40 and let it soak in for a little while. Pull the assembly off the
axle and turn it so you can hit with a large hammer.

Sand the axle to remove any rust, at the point where the bearing meets
the face of the axle. Any rust there will give you a false torque and loosen
up as you drive it. Don't be afraid to over torque the axle nut.