front wheel bearings?
04-18-2003, 04:45 PM
#1
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front wheel bearings?
i have a grinding...crunching sound coming from the front at slower speeds and when taking turns. Just replaced brakes and rotors but it is still there. Figure it's a wheel bearing. Is replacement easy or are there special tools necessary?
Thanks
Doug
'97 A8 4.2
'81 Ferrari 512bb
'56 Vintage 550 Spyder
Thanks
Doug
'97 A8 4.2
'81 Ferrari 512bb
'56 Vintage 550 Spyder
04-18-2003, 06:46 PM
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Suggestions:
If your tie rod ends look like this : <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45287/p1010063.jpg"> you are in dire need of a new tie rod end, as I am.
If your outer CV boot looks like this: <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45287/p1010047.jpg"> You are in need of a CV boot. If there is a clicking sound, you may be in need of a whole new joint as you have probably thrown most of the grease and allowed the bearings to dry, hopefully this is not the case. Replacing the joint is actually easier than replacing the boot as it is the same job less the boot removal off the car of course. The tie rod end is not something I could do as you need an alignment done afterwards. I did my outer CV boot (a very common tear on Audis, the inner CV boot rarely has a problem ever as it is well protected) and it was a real job. You need a few hard to find tools, I won't get into all the details as we are not certain what the problem is at this point. Honestly, I would hope for a slight CV boot tear with plenty of grease still in there. It will be a 20 dollar DIY job as opposed to a 170 dollar DIY replacement of the whole joint. Then again it could be a myriad of other problems, none of which I have any persoanl experience. GOOD LUCK.
If your outer CV boot looks like this: <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45287/p1010047.jpg"> You are in need of a CV boot. If there is a clicking sound, you may be in need of a whole new joint as you have probably thrown most of the grease and allowed the bearings to dry, hopefully this is not the case. Replacing the joint is actually easier than replacing the boot as it is the same job less the boot removal off the car of course. The tie rod end is not something I could do as you need an alignment done afterwards. I did my outer CV boot (a very common tear on Audis, the inner CV boot rarely has a problem ever as it is well protected) and it was a real job. You need a few hard to find tools, I won't get into all the details as we are not certain what the problem is at this point. Honestly, I would hope for a slight CV boot tear with plenty of grease still in there. It will be a 20 dollar DIY job as opposed to a 170 dollar DIY replacement of the whole joint. Then again it could be a myriad of other problems, none of which I have any persoanl experience. GOOD LUCK.
04-18-2003, 06:47 PM
#6
Wheel bearings unlikely culprit- CV joints are the most prone to fail like this.
Crank the wheel all the way right and move slowly forward with your windows open. Repeat for left turn. If the sound is very obvious with the wheel cranked, but not when running straight, then a CV jiont is certainly the culprit. Look for torn CV boot(s)- remove the front wheels and look for grease in the wheel well. The one that is torn is the failed unit. The best (cheapest and easiest) replacement is to buy and install (have installed) a rebuilt half-shaft.
04-19-2003, 05:43 AM
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Check out Doug's cars...
Is the 550 a replica made by Vintage? If so how do you like it? Well made? fun to drive? I'm consiering switching from my 911S to either a Vinatge or a Beck.
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04-19-2003, 06:08 AM
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Re: Check out Doug's cars...
Just got the Vintage 550 about 6 weeks ago. Yes, they are a blast to drive and everybody looks at it. Had an '87 Carrera a few years back and this is more fun. 1350 lbs with a 186hp motor.
The car is a Vintage which I think has a better finish than the Beck as well as the tubular frame with rear coilover shocks. If you want a Vintage, I would go the pre-owned route because I've heard delivery times are crazy on new ones.
Pics are at http://photos.yahoo.com/ziggymeredith
The car is a Vintage which I think has a better finish than the Beck as well as the tubular frame with rear coilover shocks. If you want a Vintage, I would go the pre-owned route because I've heard delivery times are crazy on new ones.
Pics are at http://photos.yahoo.com/ziggymeredith
04-19-2003, 08:38 PM
#10
Most likely the outer control arm
This was the problem with my '97, same problems.......started with an intermittant problem, then was more and more......the Audi Techs missed it, a guy at the tire shop found it when he was changing me over to snows - got the part, charged me like 1/2 an hour labor, and it was PERFECT. Might want to have the control arms checked since it seems you are saying that everything else looks good to you.