Cascade Crew

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject: Wheel Bearings

For the last couple of weeks when I drove the 89, I've noticed a loud sort of grinding noise coming from the front (fortunately, it's not my daily). I lifted the front wheels off the ground and discover a small amount of play when I rock the tire back and forth. After removing the passenger tire, brake caliper and its bracket, I gave the rotor a spin - it kept going, and going, all the while making this awful noise. I removed the dust cap and discovered that the castle nut isn't quite finger tight which accounted for the play, also the noise the wheel made.

With the wheels off, it was time to check the brake equipment for rubbing, wear and what-not, all seems good there.

Now I'm off to replace some bearings...

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:41 pm Post subject:

How's this for a burned up bearing?? Probably uncovered the noise it was making when we replaced the howling rear end gears. And it's been getting worse over the last week or two.

The two in the middle came off the passenger wheel, the others are new. The brown color is even after cleaning the grease and stuff out.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject:

Not burned up, just rusty. The seal must have let some moisture in. What kind of grease are you using? Some is waterproof alot isnt.

I like the lucas RednTacky, or any grease that is ford spec. Ford has higher spec requirements then gm.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject:

I thought that as soon as I posted. I'm using some Lucas red/tacky grease, it's supposed to be water resistant. I have a tube of waterproof stuff in the tool box, but haven't finished the tube of Lucas in the grease gun (I have the bearing packing attachment for the gun).

Got one done, the wheel is much more quiet when I give it a spin. The only real noise is the brake pads lightly dragging on the rotors.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject:

Both done a couple of hours ago. I took the car to get a bite to eat wile listening up front. Really quiet now and I don't have to turn up the radio to hear it with the windows up, it was that loud Cool

Now another noise when starting to investigate tomorrow, I think maybe an exhaust hanger. While doing that, it's a good time to check the play in the bearings.