Are there any big consequences in driving around on a slightly worn out front wheel bearing? It's a '90 Volvo 240 wagon
I did my front brake pads, rotors, and hardware this weekend. Was very proud of myself, I didn't get a spark plug stuck in my motor AND I didn't get my jack stuck under my car. It all went fairly smooth and as I pulled away without hearing a single squeak I was about ready to drive down to the local wrench and apply as lead mechanic. I did notice my front passenger rotor had some suspect wear on it after driving about 40 miles (well suspect to me, who knows as this was the first time i even looked at a rotor, and damn do they rust fast). So I jacked the car up and turned the wheel, didn't feel any more drag than the front driver wheel. So I then put my right hand at 2:00 and left hand at 7:00am and shook the wheel, it had a bit of play (more play than my drivers side which is solid). I hear that's a wheel bearing. I checked maintenance logs and both front wheel bearings where done 80k+ miles ago 7 yrs ago. I've got a long laundry list to do on this car (while trying to keep sometime to myself during the weekends and also keep my girlfriend) and I sort of just want to ignore it for a bit. Is that OK?
On a 240, a wee bit of play is pretty much normal. For some reason, they took out the hardened washer under to castle nut in about 1980. The one piece nut tends to wear a wee bit, which gives you a bit of free play. They should be cleaned, inspected, repacked and adjusted, but if they are not rumbling when you give the wheel a spin, you are safe.
When you take it apart, make sure you can get the seals locally, or have some already there. They are a nice simple thing, but different from what you might normally see.
Until you notice symptoms while driving (pad knockback on the track is the earliest sign) it's not that bad. You can probably get a few more years of life out of this one by repacking it.
Came upon an old F-150 and noticed the right front wheel had way too much negative camber. After about 10 miles, I saw smoke and sparks coming from said wheel. I flashed my lights and sounded horn, however it being early Sunday morning, I think driver was hung over and didn't want to be bothered. About 2 miles further on, wheel, rotor and hub attempted to leave the spindle. That got the drivers attention. I stopped as he pulled the mess off the road. He said he didn't notice the noise. Must have been a great party. I could hear it 4-5 car lengths away. I would disassemble and service the bearings sooner rather than later.
My miata started doing that at the last auto-x I went too. Called it a day, drove the car 40 miles home and ordered new bearing.
But maybe Im just paranoid
what do the old pads from that side look like, are they tapered any?
Remember this is a 240 Volvo with a pair of tapered roller bearings with a nut adjusted by a crescent wrench and retained by a cotter pin, not a sealed hub torqued to 150 foot pounds. Little bit of play in a sealed hub = bad. Little bit of play in tapered roller bearings = no big deal.
No rumbly noises means it will go for a while. Also, no rumbly noises means the bearings don't need to be replaced, just cleaned and repacked.
Streetwiseguy wrote:
Remember this is a 240 Volvo with a pair of tapered roller bearings with a nut adjusted by a crescent wrench and retained by a cotter pin, not a sealed hub torqued to 150 foot pounds. Little bit of play in a sealed hub = bad. Little bit of play in tapered roller bearings = no big deal.
No rumbly noises means it will go for a while. Also, no rumbly noises means the bearings don't need to be replaced, just cleaned and repacked.
But if they rumble at all replace those berkeleyers NOW.
Hmm no rumble when driving, feels fairly smooth. Just to clarify it would probably feel like my right side is going over many small bumps?
Bad tire ?
Usually when a wheel bearing is going bad a slight rumble will be notice when going around a bend on the highway. Only turning with the load on the bearing. Ie: Left turn, right wheel. No noise turning the other way.
Often a bad bearing will show no play.
Nope. You won't feel anything until its way too late. Lift the front, spin the wheels. Listen.
I have driven over 100 miles after I first noticed the hum.
Of course, you need a quiet car on a smooth road without the sound turned up.
Streetwiseguy wrote:
Nope. You won't feel anything until its way too late. Lift the front, spin the wheels. Listen.
Ah, ok. When I do this I only hear a slight drag of metal, which I think is normal as all my wheels do this.
My friend and I are having a wrenching day in two weeks, he's got a 240 too. I'll see what he thinks as I probably need a second opinion.
Those are hand packed right? Pop the dust cap and have a look, if it spins smooth you can probably get away with repacking them, or if you're lazy just tighten it up and glob some fresh grease in the cap.
The real question should be, "Why is it loose?". Either it was not tightened properly or the bearings/races are wearing. The best way to answer the question is to disassemble and inspect. You will have your answer and a safer car.
I'm not familiar with Volvo construction. Are the rotor and hub one piece or are they separate? Did you have the hubs off the spindles when you replaced the rotors? If so tightening the bearings is something you need to have a feel for. If you've never done it have someone with experience show you how. Its not difficult but it is difficult to explain. You kind of to see it to understand. But a small bit of play is normal in those. You actually need it So they don't get too tight when they heat up.
In reply to gearheadmb:
Ideally you set it with a dial indicator (something like 0.003" endplay, look it up in the FSM) and there is no guesswork to be done.
I've always seen bearings fail in one of 2 ways: noisy with no play or no noise and lots of play.
There are differences in wheel bearing types.
The two tapered roller bearings . Some what adjustable
The "capsule" bearing. where a drive shaft/axle passes through.
Two ball bearings, very rare.
Did I miss any ?
