Bad Wheel Bearing or CV joint???

meisterleipz · March 17th, 2011, 16:57

So, I recently replaced my left CV joint because the boot cracked, got all kinds of junk in it and then eventually gave a snapping noise when I turn in either direction.

Replaced the entire axle with a used unit. Looked pretty good/new. Snapping noise gone.

Now I have a humming-type noise when I turn hard to the right and left (more so when I turn right though) at about 80km/hr but I can also hear it when I go about 50-60km/hr driving straight. I also get a periodic clunk noise- doesn't happen when i go over bumps- ball joint and tie rod are all tight.

Bad used cv joint or bad wheel bearing now?

craig01b · March 17th, 2011, 17:16

Bearing...front...perhaps both. They are hard to diagnose. I would guess the left with your description, typically opposite to what one expects. The inner side fails, which in the past caused me to change the wrong side 2x. Usually, hard left turn, bearing goes quiet, left side failure, but, turned out to be the right side inner failed. I also have another bearing on the way out, and am listening closely, I do not change the wrong one again.

C

craig01b · March 17th, 2011, 17:19

Oh, good thing is, they will howl for a long time, before they fail, so, no rush.

C

meisterleipz · March 17th, 2011, 17:55

what would a cv joint sound like if it had no grease? I never checked if the new used one had any grease.

Because the sound that I am hearing is not really a humming but more like a humming/grinding noise...there is no constant vibration though. also, would a bad wheel bearing give a random clunk noise?

LNXGUY · March 17th, 2011, 18:55

Nah, a bad wheel bearing will hum like craig mentioned. Sounds like your cv's are toasty.

BigI · March 18th, 2011, 04:20

When doing bearings, good idea to change in pairs.

volkswheels · March 18th, 2011, 04:50

Just replaced both front wheel bearings on my '01 yesterday, couldn't stand the loud humming noise from the left front wheel, replaced the ball joints, tie rods, strut mount bushings,strut bearings and upgraded to the TT control arm bushings, going for an alignment today

imo000 · March 18th, 2011, 05:51

When you changed the axle, did you tighten the big nut enough?

meisterleipz · March 18th, 2011, 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by imo000

When you changed the axle, did you tighten the big nut enough?

ya, I triple checked it.

LNXGUY · March 18th, 2011, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by imo000

When you changed the axle, did you tighten the big nut enough?

I usually stand on the breaker bar until it doesn't move anymore

yhmtdi · March 18th, 2011, 10:23

Always a good idea to open and check/add grease to the CVs on replacement axles. I've found that they tend to skimp on grease, so the lifetime of the joints is shorter than it needs to be.

Mark

meisterleipz · March 18th, 2011, 12:21

i guess i will be ordering a new axle then and return the used one that I installed. I've heard bad bearings before and this doesn't really sound like it. The sound that I am hearing is much more "aggressive." If that doesn't fix it then its the bearings then.

imo000 · March 18th, 2011, 17:07

Might be less of a moeny waste if you replace the axle with another good used one. What are the chances that you'll end up with two bad axles in a row?

meisterleipz · March 18th, 2011, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by imo000

Might be less of a moeny waste if you replace the axle with another good used one. What are the chances that you'll end up with two bad axles in a row?

true...my dad is convinced that it is the bearings because there is no constant ticking noise that would indicate a bad cv joint. i don't know...i guess I will try doing the front bearings starting with the left one.

craig01b · March 20th, 2011, 08:28

On a smooth level road, does it change intensity, or tone as you weave left and right? I just changed one of my front wheel bearings yesterday, I put the car up for an oil change, and was shocked I had quite a bit of play in the bearing?! I had had some noise from it, but it did not howl like others. It depends how they fail I guess. Have you checked the bearings for play? That also is unusual, but nothing is impossible.

C