Front End Shaking

[SolidState]

Over the last week, a condition my 94 has had for a while seems to be worsening. I started to notice a 'zipper' like sound from the front driver's side wheel. Today, on the highway, I noticed an increase in shaking through the steering wheel, accompanied by a rumbling noise. This is most noticable while coasting or decelerating. Upon acceleration, the rumble goes away and the car smooths out a little.

I jacked up the car up and check for play in the wheel, and found little to none, and with the car still in the air, I put it in gear and could not reproduce the sound.

Is this most likely the wheel bearings or CV? If it is the wheel bearing, is it absolutely necessary to replace the hub at the same time, or is it likely that the hub is okay?

I am getting a little fed up, as I keep fixing one thing and finding another problem.

TIA

 

[DigDeez]

First, is to do a quick wiggle test, by gripping the tire at the 12o'clock and 6o'clock position, then from the 3 and 9 position.

It could be your wheel/hub assembly needing replaced, however, this only makes noise, and won't cause the car/steering wheel to shimmy!

This this link from a thread of mine; could help!

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=34025&highlight=wiggle+test+digdeez

 

[SolidState]

thanks for the reply..

turns out the front lug nuts were extremely loose. Which has me concerned, as I have driven over 5k since I did the brakes. the lock nut was very tight, but the other 4 weren't even finger tight. Sooo, either I didn't tighten them enough and they backed themselves out, or someone loosen my lug nuts on me.

Either way, I tightened them up, and it is back to its old rattly self...

 

[Mr95Gl]

thanks for the reply..

turns out the front lug nuts were extremely loose. Which has me concerned, as I have driven over 5k since I did the brakes. the lock nut was very tight, but the other 4 weren't even finger tight. Sooo, either I didn't tighten them enough and they backed themselves out, or someone loosen my lug nuts on me.

Either way, I tightened them up, and it is back to its old rattly self...

That's very scary. I'd check the lug nuts in the next 500 miles or so, to make sure they aren't backing themselves out. Talk about a catastrophe if your tire decided to take a trip away from your car.

 

[SolidState]

There has been a rash of people finding there lug nuts loosened, with some extreme cases of the wheels flying off. If that is the case, there is a good possibility that my exposed lug nuts are attracting the numbskulls who are behind this.

Either way, I am going to replace all my lug nuts and properly torque them down...

 

[DigDeez]

Plus, I'm not sure exactly why, but you're always suppose to retorque lugnuts on alloy rims every so often! Your scenario is probably why, i dunno...

 

[NJSHO]

Might want to consider new lug studs. They are cheap and easy to do and after having driven 5k on them with loose lugs it might be good insurance.

 

[SolidState]

as I understand, heat is required to replace the studs?

 

[NJSHO]

As I understand just a big a$$ hammer. Heat might help but i dont think its required.

 

[DigDeez]

Yeah, a big hammer is all that is needed to get them out. I just don't know how you would get them back in, if you don't have the hub assembly off the spindle? There's no run to hammer then back in...

 

[Ishodu]

Just get a few washers and a nut from the hardware store that fits. Tighten the nut and it will pull the stud in perfectly.