How much noise can a wheel bearing make???

Flywheel, Clutch, Transmission, Axles, etc...

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subawhatsubawho
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How much noise can a wheel bearing make???

Post by subawhatsubawho »

I am thinking about buying a gen1 legacy but the guy says it is making a loud noise from the front end and thinks it's a bearing.

LAst time I bought a legacy where the owner said it needed a bearing, it turned out to be a SHOT tranny.

Any advice from the GUROOS would be greatly appreciated.
1991 Legacy BJ L 5MT AWD 189K Paid $100 STOLEN 2/13/06
Manarius
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Post by Manarius »

They can be pretty damn loud. However, the noise you're looking for is a grind or roar from a specific area of the car. And really, the easiest way to check is to jack the car up and try to shake each of the wheels. The one that shakes (ones with a good bearing will not move laterally) has a wheel bearing issue.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
subawhatsubawho
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Post by subawhatsubawho »

The car is about 600 miles from me and the guy refuses to inspect it in any way shape or form. His mechanic just drove it around the block and said "I was told that it has a front bearing bad ( MAKES A BAD NOISE IN THE FRONT )"

Think it will make a 600miles trip on a bad bearing? If so I will just change the entire hub assembly out when I get it home.
1991 Legacy BJ L 5MT AWD 189K Paid $100 STOLEN 2/13/06
Manarius
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Post by Manarius »

subawhatsubawho wrote:The car is about 600 miles from me and the guy refuses to inspect it in any way shape or form. His mechanic just drove it around the block and said "I was told that it has a front bearing bad ( MAKES A BAD NOISE IN THE FRONT )"

Think it will make a 600miles trip on a bad bearing? If so I will just change the entire hub assembly out when I get it home.
My dad drove my car 10k miles on a bearing that absolutely ROARED. Now, granted that wasn't a good idea. I would only be afraid of it seizing. 600 miles...I think it'll make it...just keep your cell with you :razz:

If it's a deal, I'd risk it. It'd have to be pretty damn bad for me to not wanna take the risk.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
dzx
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Post by dzx »

I drove my wheel bearing until there was nothing left, then had to go get the truck and load the car on the trailer and tow it home. When i removed the hub, the wheel bearing looked like a washer and that's all i found of it. I just pulled a hub off of a car at the junkyard and replaced the whole thing.
///M
'93 Legacy SS - part out
subawhatsubawho
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Post by subawhatsubawho »

Well pardners (yes..just like the old movies) looks like I might be buying me another BJ.

Thanks guys.
1991 Legacy BJ L 5MT AWD 189K Paid $100 STOLEN 2/13/06
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Post by entirelyturbo »

Up to this point, I'd say that this thread is the most thorough wheel bearing thread on this board (not to say that someone couldn't do it better, faster, or cheaper than me...)

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=21223
"Der Wahnsinn ist nur eine schmale Brücke/die Ufer sind Vernunft und Trieb"

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subawhatsubawho
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Post by subawhatsubawho »

I remember when you posted that thread. I remember reading your trials and tribulations.....

If I do end up purchasing this vehicle I am just going to swap out the front assembly from something much newer.

Thanks for the link Mike. I read it again anyways.
1991 Legacy BJ L 5MT AWD 189K Paid $100 STOLEN 2/13/06
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Post by Manarius »

subyluvr2212 wrote:Up to this point, I'd say that this thread is the most thorough wheel bearing thread on this board (not to say that someone couldn't do it better, faster, or cheaper than me...)

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=21223
Isn't that when you gave Patti a fresh dent with a pipe? :razz:
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
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Post by entirelyturbo »

Manarius wrote:
subyluvr2212 wrote:Up to this point, I'd say that this thread is the most thorough wheel bearing thread on this board (not to say that someone couldn't do it better, faster, or cheaper than me...)

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=21223
Isn't that when you gave Patti a fresh dent with a pipe? :razz:
Sure is... I'd rather take a cutting torch to her right now...
"Der Wahnsinn ist nur eine schmale Brücke/die Ufer sind Vernunft und Trieb"

*Formerly DerFahrer*

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subawhatsubawho
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Post by subawhatsubawho »

Just sell her to me...My moms name is Patti. I would catch hell from my car and my family.
1991 Legacy BJ L 5MT AWD 189K Paid $100 STOLEN 2/13/06
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