greetings,

i've been doing searches but cannot figure out what shot rear wheel bearings would soung like. at present i have this oscillating sound coming from my rear -sounds like a wobble (or going over those speed bump things on highway shoulders). it get louder/faster when i speed up and the opposite when i slow down. i thought differential but it seems that would sound like grinding/rattling. is it possible it's an alignment thing as the car does pull to the left big time. i've got an 84 gs if this is relevant. should i investigate anything else?

much appreciation,
norman ng

 

Sounded like a train for me.... chugga chugga chugga chugga chugga.... slow frequency at lower speeds, higher frequency at faster speeds. A rather low pitched sound; got progressively louder and louder over time.

Differential can sound the same, so I hear. The usual procedure is to replace both rear bearings (cheap if you do it yourself and use aftermarket parts, mazda parts are double the price) and see. If the sound is still audible, then you worry about rear end.

For me the rear bearings took care of it.

 

That's pretty much what the axle bearings sound like when they go. One hell of a racket, too, makes you think you're going to watch your wheel and axle pass you in the next lane

You could tell which one was bad by jacking up the car and spinning each rear wheel individually. Impossible if you have an LSD but you should be able to tell which side's making the noise, plus if it's bad enough you can feel the grumbling.

I waited until mine got so loud that it drowned out the exhaust, then I changed it. PITA even with the proper tools.

 

Sounds like wheel bearings to me.... speaking of which, I should really do that in my car.... I can't tell what my car sounds like, 'cause all I can hear is the wheel bearings

Jeff

 

Mine sounded kinda like a helicopter....a rythmic "waaah-waaah, waah-waaah, waah-waah, wah-wah" as you moved faster. pretty loud and not so good to lose, though I let mine for a while though they were toast when finally replaced. I had my mechanic do it as he has the tools and the know-how.

Of course the mound was once in a flood, so maybe that had something to do with bad bearings. ya think?

Right on.

 

thanks everyone. going to have them checked monday and estimate for repair -dealership but one i actually trust. however...with only basic tools, driveway garage and my own sweat, how frustrating/scary a job is it to do yourself (considering it's my first time ever and i only have the manuals for experience)?

regards,
norman ng

 

On my 80, I swear it sounded like I had gravel floating around back there, it was LOUD!

 

the rears can be a bitch, good tip is to put the bearings and sleeves in the freezer overnight to help shrink them.

funny story my neighbor once wanted me to check out his chevy van cause it sounded really bad and didnt steer good at all, i suggested to check the wheel bearings. pull off the passenger front wheel and and brake assembly and hmm theres a wheel bearing but no bearings, the whole thing exploded and it was just jagged metal grinding against metal. never seen anything so funny

 

basic tools = not possible for the rear axle bearings.

You NEED a hydraulic press to put the new bearing and retainer sleeve on. It takes a minimum of 6 tons of force to put the retainer on. My shop's 12 ton press was flexing!

 

I wouldn't say it's not possible w/ basic tools. You can take care of everything yourself EXCEPT for when it comes to pressing off old bearings and pressing on new ones. Once you get the axles out you take them to any competent machine shop and they can do their thing with a press.

I suggest replacing the axle seals while you're at it.

 

That's not really doing it yourself if you take the axles to a shop

The axle seals are supposed to be very tricky to get installed properly. If they're not square with the housing, they can leak. I just remove the axle very carefully so that I don't damage the seal, and reinstall carefully. No problems.

 

the shop it is.

norman ng

 

Nah, you can do it yourself with basic tools. I did. It takes a *long* time, but the bearing/collar will go on with a big hammer hitting a big wrench over top of them. When I got sick of waiting, I held the wrench while my friend slammed a heavy *** old flywheel/clutch assembly (lol) down the axle. That hurt my wrist like ****, but it worked much quicker.

The easier way to do it, is to get a length of pipe in the appropriate diameter, put it over the axle, and hit that with the hammer. You'd be set then.

Anyways, I'm just saying that it's a completely do-able job in the driveway, with basic tools and a little improvising. It just isn't always a barrel of laughs (or maybe it is, depending on who's holding the wrench lol). For my money, I'd rather save the $$ and do it myself, but I'm a brokeass student, so....

The only special tool you'll need is an axle-puller, but you can borrow that from most parts stores that loan out tools.

 

Everyone I've talked to that's done this said the axles came out pretty hard, but I just gave mine a little tug and they pulled right out. Hope that doesn't mean I've got a problem !

I used an appropriately sized wood block to drive my new seals in. They make seal installation drivers and in retrospect, that's probably the way to go next time. Peejay is right, it's VERY important that they end up straight when you're done (ask me how I know!).

 

One more tip...

When you're bolting up the puller, make sure to tighten those lug bolts down nice and tight... otherwise you'll be re-tapping your axle threads.

Go ahead, ask me how I know