4x4Lamm

Here's a question?

Could bad wheel bearings (front) cause signifigantly lower gas milage?

A little while back I started to notice a slow, rythmic squeek when I was driving very slow (like in a fast food drive-threw with my window open).

Or for that matter, could that even indicate bad wheel bearings? It seems to be worse in turns and I can only hear it with the radio off and driving slow, so its not incredibly loud. There are no other apparent signs or symptoms of front end trouble.

Any ideas or input?

Lamm

kyle_22r

a bearing will let you know when it's on its way out. by the time you hear it, it is time to replace it. usually makes a whirring or grinding noise.

a squeak sounds more like it could be a balljoint or a warped rotor, or other brake issue.

4x4Lamm

I could test the rotors by jacking up the front end, removing the wheels and spinning them by hand couldn't I?

What about the ball joints, they are only a few months old? How could I check them?

Lamm

leebee

hey lamm!

i just went through the replacement of my pass side brg, it let go on the highway and is not something you want to experience. put the front end up on stands and pull it apart to check. now is the time to replace brgs before they grenade on you, its much cheaper, believe me. someone has posted how to check for ball joint wear, youll have to search for it, i cant remember what they posted.

lee

Adam F

Jack up the front end, grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock, and try jerking the wheel top to bottom. There should be NO play. It's easiest to have a buddy do the jerking and you get a flashlight and look at the ball joints. You'll have to put some muscle into it, so have a good strong dude help you.

fiveofeen

okay i'm low on coffee today whats the brg? bearing? I am getting some rattling noises in my front end. There is also a sloppy pitman arm but thats gonna be fixed tomorrow. I am gonna have to check through these areas. I'm due for the toyota recall and need that free no hassle alignment.

runethechamp

You can do the highly sophisticated bearing test I always do. Put your foot on top of the wheel and push on it several times. If you can feel a noticeable click-clack or movement when you do this, it's time for new bearings or at least time for a bearing adjustment. I noticed this on mine and when I went in to see what was wrong, the adjusting nut was way loose, so I tightned it to spec and everything is golden.

tc

Nothing "no hassle" about the recall - be sure to read the stickied note in the 90-95 Forum so you're prepared.

4x4Lamm

Any other ideas? Seems the concencus is that its not bearings.

Lamm

runethechamp

My brakes made a sound like that when they were almost worn out. Then the metal clip that's on the pads can touch the rotor even when you don't brake. Check that one out. And, yeah, my rotors are slightly warped as well.

4x4Lamm

My mechanic seems to think it may be dirt/rocks that are jammed in is somewhere causing the noise. That or brakes but I think its too irregulaer for brakes and the pads are almost brand new!

I am going to have to poke around and see what I can see.

Lamm