3.2 Carrera Front Wheel Noise - help!!!!!
 

I hope someone can identify this with the vague description I am about to give. About 5 years ago after a long drive I would hear a resonant whining sound from one of the front wheels accompanied by vibration in the steering column.

Well now its terrible and happens after a few miles of driving. I've had calipers freed, a wheel bearing changed and the last time a "specialist" drove it he said it also sounded like brakes binding and supposedly freed the calipers on one side again.

200 yards away from the garage and it is no different

What I can say is that it sometimes goes away temporarily if I steer sharply or if I brake.

A hearty thanks to anyone who has "been there" or knows what I'm talking about.

as a starting point, lift the front of the car off the floor. apply the foot brake hard and then release.

now try and rotate the front wheels. any noise? do they move freely?

any noise heard in this state should be either brakes or bearings.

well?

Thanks dickster. Is there a place where I can use a hydraulic jack to pick up the entire front?

Sounds like a stuck or sticking brake caliper or a rotor that is warped to me. Especially if it goes away when steering or braking.

mmmm, good question!

i believe (its been awhile) that if you jack up using the front wishbone mount (where tow eye is attached) on either side, it will lift the whole front. if not do one then other.

It's your caliper - been there done that. No good just freeing them up - get a couple of rebuild kits (about £10 each) and a couple of new flexi hoses (about £9 each) and rebuild them - easy job and very satisfying when it all goes back together and solves the problem!

Dickster - congratulations on the new arrival

Same symptoms recently and upon exam found a hanging puck. Put new seals in the front calipers over the weekend with the aid of kstylianos and no more noise. (Also replaced the pads & rotors, which probably didn't hurt.)

Also if you do the calipers I would also replace the wheel bearings and seals. Inexpensive peace of mind.

Peter

You guys are amazing. The power of a forum!

Many thanks.

If you replace the wheel bearings and seals, shouldn't you also replace the races? Requires a press to remove and install. Correct me if I'm wrong...

ok, press not required ;)

When someone says "replace the wheel bearings" that includes the races. They're matched and come in the same package. As part of my recently completed front suspension rebuild, I tapped out the old races with a rounded end center punch; after heating in my barbeque grill. Gentle tapping into the little divits in the hub is all it took.

The new races went back in beautifully, after heating, with the bearing race driver set recommended by KTL (Kevin). $30 Lisle brand from PepBoys. Two of the drivers in the set are perfectly sized for inner and outer races.

Bob

Rock on Bob.

That Lisle race driver kit works excellent and is pretty decent quality for $30, no? :p Those ice cold races go right into the warm hubs nice and smooth!

Good call on the BBQ grill. Hadn't thought of that. Might keep some of the other fellas from getting yelled at by the wife (car parts in the oven).

Can someone explain this "race driver" to me? I'm confused. I need to replace my front bearings as my fronts are starting to moan a little.

They come in a kit. There are several different sized disks that screw on to the handle/driver. You pick a disk that is big enough to drive the race but small enough to not scrape the inside of the hub. Charlie Stylianos (kstylianos) can tell you where he got his set.

skul--

I should add that if it's moaning you're hearing, IMO its more likely a warped rotor or hanging puck that's causing it, although you probably will want to both change the bearings and service the calipers. That's what I did.