Own a 98 GT, and have a loud, almost grinding noise coming from front wheel area, driver's side. The front brakes area new, the engine is not using any oil, there are no obivous leaks, and I have no power loss.....Is louder as I turn to the left, can sometimes be a whine......Any suggestions?

 

My guess would be you have a bad wheel bearing.

 

thanks, if so, any idea what a ballpark fix would cost?

 

$65....that is the cost of a complete front hub. It comes with studs and everything. The bearings are not serviceable. 96-04 all the same. They are all made for ABS set ups too. There is no "non ABS" hubs, just knock the exciter rings off if you don't have ABS.

Adam

 

any way to do a visual inspection and determine if that is the correct fix? I checked today, and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary....the rotor was a little loose, as in small amount of play. I turned the assmebly and did not hear any thing like when I am driving it.
Thanks,
David.

 

When you did the brakes, did you upgrade to larger components (calipers or rotors)? If so, you might be rubbing somewhere.

Otherwise, buy the new unit - it will save your some severe hassle (you don't want the bearings to seize on the highway... very unfun.)

tripleblack

 

Unfortunately auto repair is not an exact science. You may not hear the rubbing when you turn it by hand because the bearings aren't loaded( ie your 3300lb car on them) so thats not a real good test. With your tire/wheel mounted on the car and the car jacked up, is there any play side to side or top to bottom? I would spend the $65 and then you know that the bearings are new and thats not the problem. Thats a cheap fix if you ask me.

Adam

 

Thanks for the advice Adam, I will try it and go from there.

 

So, Adam was right...the bearing in the hub was spun. A quick fix....I ended up at Harbor Freight Tools picking up an electric torque wrench, 240 ft.lbs. of torgue to get the "jesus nut" off the spindle...no way you are going to just muscle it. I don't have the luxury of air tools so had to make do.

Thanks for the advice..
David.

 

Yeah it a big mamma jamma nut too. 1 1/4" or something. Your actually not suppose to re-use the nut, but I don't think its a big deal. Glad I could help.


Adam

 

36mm!! I popped for the new nut, 6.99 or something from Murrays, worth it....so yeah, I got a big, new shiny nut, from Murrays....Later.