Strange noise from the front end
 

Looking for some help here.

My 3.2 Carrera has developed a strange noise from the front end at low speeds.

It sounds like something binding, but I'm pretty sure it's not the brakes. It only starts making the noise when the car has been driven for a few miles and everything is warmed up and it is only audible at speeds of 30mph and lower.

It is not the sort of grumbling noise that a worn wheel bearing would make, but I have a feeling it is something to do with the wheel bearings. The noise does not seem related to the anle of steering either.

I was wondering if it could be that the wheel bearing is running dry?

Has anyone any ideas.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers



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Alan Brown
86 Carrera 3.2

Can you be more descriptive of the sound?

When were the front bearings last repacked?
What about the rear bearings?

Does it happen in any particuliar gear?
Engine speed?
Good luck.

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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in Sacramento

Its kind of like a metalic moaning sound - believe me it's very difficult to describe.

It doesn't appear to be related to gear or engine speed.

I'm sure its the front as I get a slight vibration through the steering at the same time.

I haven't had the bearings repacked since acquiring the car last fall. I don't know if they were done prior to that.

What is the procedure for repacking - I can't find any reference to this in my Haynes manual.

Thanks again

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Alan Brown
86 Carrera 3.2

albroon--while your comment re: feeling vibration thru the steering wheel certainly sounds like wheel bearings--can you tell if it is happening when the AC is off also? Remote possibility a dry blower motor shaft
is "communicating" via telegraphed vibes thru
the chassis pan.

George 86T

Like most UK Carrera's my car doesn't have Air Con.

Does anyone have the procedure for repacking the wheel bearings?



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Alan Brown
86 Carrera 3.2

Fuel pump??

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

Alan.....I am in Inverkip. Do you know of any 911 mechanics within easy reach of West of Glasgow? I would like someone to check out how noisy my engine is but most mechanics I know haven't worked on them

I'VE HAD 2 DIFFERENT 911'S THAT EXHIBITED THIS TYPE OF "GROAN" @ LOW SPEED. BOTH WERE IN NEED OF NEW BRAKES. APPARENTLY AS THE BRAKES APPROACH THEIR WEAR LIMITS, THE "FRONT END" STARTS THIS NOISE BUSINESS.

TRY CHECKING OUT YOUR FRONT BRAKES. I BET THEY ARE 60-90% WORN OUT. P.S. FRONT ROTORS SHOULD BE CHANGED ONLY NOT FLY-CUT UNLESS YOU CAN GET THEM GROUND WITH A GOOD SURFACE FINISH AS YOUR NEW BRAKE JOB WILL BECOME ANOTHER PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD.

BOUGHT ALL THE STUFF I NEEDED FOR THE JOB FROM PELICAN AT GREAT PRICES INCLUDING CALIPER REBUILD KITS AND WHEEL SEALS. USED REDLINE GREASE TO REPACK THE FRONT END.

I suspect worn brakes as well. Maybe one rotor is slightly warped, causing a contact with the brake pad every 1/2 turn ot 1/1 turn. This is the sound you usually hear then. Due to bearing play, it gets stronger on slow speed turns.

Jens


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