front end noise
 

hello, I haven't posted in a while. My car has been running great until recently. I have a 2000 dx 1.6. I recently replaced the front brakes/ rotors to solve the problem. However the noise is still there. Any Ideas?

thanks,

Curleydx

WAYYYY TOO BROAD!!! what front end noise?? which side? what does it sound like? intermittent or constant?...please be more specific in the future

front end noise
 

macdaddy: I think it's the front wheelbearing on the left side. When I drive about 20-30 mph, and turn left the pitch of the noise changes. On the bearing, does the bearing unbolt, or is it a press in? So then the tie-rod, and lower ball joint to be separated and then the bolts to the strut have to be removed?

Thanks for the reply,

Curleydx:D

THis just happened to me with my 1999 1.6L. THe bearing is pressed into the hub, and hub into the steering knuckle. To remove it you must remove in order the tie-rod, then the ball joint and loosen the bolts that hold the knuckle to the strut. You then need to separate the driveaxle from the hub. This is where it starts to get tricky because the axle can be seized in the hub and very difficult to seprate. A hammer and a brass punch work well to seprate the hub/axle. Once the axle breakes loose do not force it out. Remove the two bolts from the steering knucle and pull the knuckle off the axle. Then you must separate the hub and knuckle and press out the old bearing and press in the new bearing. If you don't have much experience with cars/ don't have the right workspace(a lift, room to work) or tools I strongly recomend taking the car to the nearest mazda dealer to be serviced. If they break something they have to pay for it. If you do you have to pay for it, and the axle can seize and break if to much force is applied!

front wheel bearing
 

protegekidd: Unfortunately I have a lot of experience changing FWD sealed bearings. These were on (2) dodge caravans both sides,and my wifes pontiac montana(only 50,000 mi). Do you know on the strut to knuckle bolts, are they indexed like the caravan so they must be marked and installed in original position? I'm doing the bearing today, hopefully!!

Thanks for your reply,

curleydx

Yeah I do, but thanks for the thought. I've worked in a mazda shop for about a year and a half until i found a better job with a GM dealership in town.

To my knowledge they aren't indexed like the caravan. Whenever I do one I would just reinstall them and alingin the car.

this just happened with my car, no joke. last week. i ended up paying $280 including parts and labor.

wheel bearing
 

Hello all, I replaced the bearing today. It went well. Within 2 hours,it was tore down bearing pressed in/out and re-assembled. Thank god no more LOUD WHINING on the freeway.

See ya later,

Curleydx :D