Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

kaseuponone · 07-14-2011, 06:05 PM

2006 Sonata with 90k

When I make right turns the left front wheel is making a rubbing sound with the motion of the wheel. It's not doing it on a straight line, just turning right. I've talked to a couple of my friends and they are telling me it's a wheel bearing. I have a service manual but it's not really going into detail on what I'm in for. I work on motorcycles all the time and my good friend said he has a press if I can bring him the knuckle and the OEM bearing. Can someone give me a little guidance before I take the wheel off and get started. Are there any special tools involved, etc...should I do the other side while I'm doing this also...thank you very much for your time!!

ActionMan · 07-14-2011, 06:17 PM

Well, my experience with wheel bearings is that they make noise regardless of the direction the wheel. However, CV joints tend to make more noise when turning than they do driving in a straight line. Typically, the noise a bad CV joint makes is a clicking sound, but in the early stages it could sound more like the rubbing sound you are hearing. I would thoroughly inspect the CV joints, paying particular attention to the right CV joint and look for any cracks in the boot or any grease on the outside of the boots.

kaseuponone · 07-14-2011, 06:49 PM

QUOTE (ActionMan @ Jul 14 2011, 06:17 PM)

Quote:

Well, my experience with wheel bearings is that they make noise regardless of the direction the wheel. However, CV joints tend to make more noise when turning than they do driving in a straight line. Typically, the noise a bad CV joint makes is a clicking sound, but in the early stages it could sound more like the rubbing sound you are hearing. I would thoroughly inspect the CV joints, paying particular attention to the right CV joint and look for any cracks in the boot or any grease on the outside of the boots.

The noise is coming from the left front...I check the cv joint and everything is sealed and clean.

ActionMan · 07-14-2011, 06:51 PM

QUOTE (slappy97 @ Jul 14 2011, 04:49 PM)

Quote:

The noise is coming from the left front...I check the cv joint and everything is sealed and clean.

Interesting, have you rotated tires to see if noise still comes from left front?

kaseuponone · 07-14-2011, 06:56 PM

QUOTE (ActionMan @ Jul 14 2011, 06:51 PM)

Quote:

Interesting, have you rotated tires to see if noise still comes from left front?

just rotated and balanced 2 days ago...it didn't stop.

ActionMan · 07-14-2011, 07:10 PM

Hmm, all of my wheel bearing issues have occured after 150K miles, so 90K seems a bit soon to me but it is possible I guess. It could be brake related, (rubbing while turning), or suspension related, (though those noises tend to be more thumping than rubbing). To be sure that it is indeed the wheel bearings, if you can get the front end in the air, while the transmission is engaged, place a listening device against the inside hub of the wheel and you should definitely hear bearing noise. A simple tool to use is a screw driver, but they also make a mechanic's stethiscope for these types of diagnoses. Personally I would want to be sure it is the bearing before I spent the time and effort tearing apart the front wheels.

kaseuponone · 07-14-2011, 07:24 PM

QUOTE (ActionMan @ Jul 14 2011, 07:10 PM)

Quote:

Hmm, all of my wheel bearing issues have occured after 150K miles, so 90K seems a bit soon to me but it is possible I guess. It could be brake related, (rubbing while turning), or suspension related, (though those noises tend to be more thumping than rubbing). To be sure that it is indeed the wheel bearings, if you can get the front end in the air, while the transmission is engaged, place a listening device against the inside hub of the wheel and you should definitely hear bearing noise. A simple tool to use is a screw driver, but they also make a mechanic's stethiscope for these types of diagnoses. Personally I would want to be sure it is the bearing before I spent the time and effort tearing apart the front wheels.

Sounds like a plan...I'll see what I can do. Thank you very much!!

ActionMan · 07-14-2011, 07:34 PM

QUOTE (slappy97 @ Jul 14 2011, 05:24 PM)

Quote:

Sounds like a plan...I'll see what I can do. Thank you very much!!

No problem. You're welcome. I'm interested in learning what you find out.

jsinton · 07-14-2011, 11:07 PM

Rubbing sound going around turns is not wheel bearing noise. Grinding sound at all times is wheel bearing. Is your rotor shield rubbing on the rotor when you go around turns?

eckell3 · 07-15-2011, 02:29 AM

Yup wheel bearing make a grinding, growling or humming noise regardless of what way you are driving.

Is your tire contacting the shroud/shield in the fender?

Here is a test you can try

Park the car on level ground and jack the front end of the car up and put it on jack stands. Then put the parking brake on and chock the rear wheels. Get a buddy to sit in the car and put it in gear and let the wheels turn then after that have him/her turn the wheel and you check to see if it makes the noise. It is very possible it might need a load placed on it before you get the noise but you might get lucky and it will manifest itself without it

Good luck

07-14-2011, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
ActionMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mile High, Colorado 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4L I4 AT - Slate Blue Posts: 996	Well, my experience with wheel bearings is that they make noise regardless of the direction the wheel. However, CV joints tend to make more noise when turning than they do driving in a straight line. Typically, the noise a bad CV joint makes is a clicking sound, but in the early stages it could sound more like the rubbing sound you are hearing. I would thoroughly inspect the CV joints, paying particular attention to the right CV joint and look for any cracks in the boot or any grease on the outside of the boots. __________________ Vehicles Owned: 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2001 Saturn L200 1986 Saab 900 Turbo 1979 Datsun 210 1973 Mercury Montego

07-14-2011, 07:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
ActionMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mile High, Colorado 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4L I4 AT - Slate Blue Posts: 996	Hmm, all of my wheel bearing issues have occured after 150K miles, so 90K seems a bit soon to me but it is possible I guess. It could be brake related, (rubbing while turning), or suspension related, (though those noises tend to be more thumping than rubbing). To be sure that it is indeed the wheel bearings, if you can get the front end in the air, while the transmission is engaged, place a listening device against the inside hub of the wheel and you should definitely hear bearing noise. A simple tool to use is a screw driver, but they also make a mechanic's stethiscope for these types of diagnoses. Personally I would want to be sure it is the bearing before I spent the time and effort tearing apart the front wheels. __________________ Vehicles Owned: 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2001 Saturn L200 1986 Saab 900 Turbo 1979 Datsun 210 1973 Mercury Montego

07-14-2011, 11:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
jsinton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Inverness, Florida '99 Elantra Wagon Posts: 3,697	Rubbing sound going around turns is not wheel bearing noise. Grinding sound at all times is wheel bearing. Is your rotor shield rubbing on the rotor when you go around turns? __________________

07-14-2011, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
kaseuponone Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 12	2006 Sonata with 90k When I make right turns the left front wheel is making a rubbing sound with the motion of the wheel. It's not doing it on a straight line, just turning right. I've talked to a couple of my friends and they are telling me it's a wheel bearing. I have a service manual but it's not really going into detail on what I'm in for. I work on motorcycles all the time and my good friend said he has a press if I can bring him the knuckle and the OEM bearing. Can someone give me a little guidance before I take the wheel off and get started. Are there any special tools involved, etc...should I do the other side while I'm doing this also...thank you very much for your time!!

07-15-2011, 02:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
eckell3 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 132	Yup wheel bearing make a grinding, growling or humming noise regardless of what way you are driving. Is your tire contacting the shroud/shield in the fender? Here is a test you can try Park the car on level ground and jack the front end of the car up and put it on jack stands. Then put the parking brake on and chock the rear wheels. Get a buddy to sit in the car and put it in gear and let the wheels turn then after that have him/her turn the wheel and you check to see if it makes the noise. It is very possible it might need a load placed on it before you get the noise but you might get lucky and it will manifest itself without it Good luck

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