My car is very loud on the road, but I have thought it was because it was lowered and had unevenly worn tires. I had it jacked up recently and noticed it makes a rough or slight grinding noise when I spin the wheels. Is this a sign the bearings may be bad? Is there an easy way to check if the bearings are bad?

 

You should be able to find a video for reference on Youtube. Basically jack the car up and put your hands on the 12 o clock and 6 o clock positions of the wheel and try to move it back and forth. If it moves at all you have a shot bearing. It might just be dirt or something trapped in the brakes or wheel area. Never know...

 

The rear wheels bearings went bad on my car so I just purchased 2 new OEM bearings for approximately $70/each through my friend's shop (at his cost). My car started making a howling sound (you can hear the tires rotating on the road while driving) and has play in the rear wheels when doing the 12 & 6 o'clock technique.

If it stops snowing long enough for the roads to be clear, I'll have them replaced soon. If not, my car will sit peacefully in the garage until spring.

 

The sound you hear may be the brake pads dragging. which is normal for disc brakes.

The easiest time to inspect for wheel bearing damage in my limited experience is with the brakes and rotors off (during a brake job). Then you can spin the hub without any outside influences and more easily feel/find play in the bearings.

David

 

Thanks for the reply guys. I will dive into it this weekend to see if I can diagnose it.

 

I guess the brakes are causing the grinding noise because after removing the caliper, it went away. I did get a little movement and slight clunk sound when I held the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions on the rotor and tried to move it. It wasn't much, but there was some play with a slight noise. Is that normal or is that a sign of bad bearings?

 

No that's not ok. You need new wheels bearings.

 

Bad bearings can also cause the brakes to rub no?

 

Thanks guys! Are the bearing/hubs on ebay ok to use? This is the link I am looking at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

 

I wouldn't buy them off of ebay. That doesn't mean they're no good.

 

There is an error in that e-bay advert.The rear wheel bearing of a 93-96RX-7is the same as a front wheel bearing of 2001-2002 Millenia S.

Earlier Millenia 95-2000 use the same bearing as 86-91 RX7.

If you have access to a bearing shop you need NTN Bearing number AU925 1LL/L588.
I matched up the number from a used 93 RX7 rear wheel bearing.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'm glad I didn't order them yet!

 

You can get them from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda, call him at 888 533 3400

Btw, you're in for a treat.... replacing rear wheel bearings is by far my least favorite chore I've yet found on an FD after 12+ years of tinkering with them

 

Yeah, I've heard it is a real pita. I am really hoping they are going to come loose and not be seized.

 

Keep in mind wheel play can also come from worn out bushings, so be sure where the movement is coming from

 

drive it on the road and listen for the humming to go away when turning/swaying the weight from one side to the other.

 

hello, my car has some problem with stability at high speed.
I changed all bushing.
There is no wheel play.
What could be?
How to check wheel bearing? if the wheel dosent moove is sure that they are good? or i have to disassembly?
Thanks
Pietro

 

alignment or wheel balance?

 

might be pillow ***** as well... I just changed my bearings... they were like 65 bucks each from Ray crow at mallow mazda. It may be worth it to replace your rear wheel studs as well as they are pretty much impossible to replace without ruining the bearing.

 

wheel balance, pillow replaced.
I will check for better allinement (again).
Thanks
Pietro