Wheel Bearings?

[Guido]

My initial suspicions were backed up by my recent Forum search, but I'd like to make doubly sure before I take her to the shop tomorrow.

I have a rhythmic grinding/squeeling noise coming from the driver's side front wheel. It started yesterday morning and has gotten worse. I haven't noticed a change in the sound while I turn the wheel, but it does almost go away entirely when I accelerate or decelerate; basically, I only hear it while I'm coasting. If it is the wheel bearings (which is where my money is), how much is this going to set me back? I'm still looking for a new SHO, and I'm not too keen on spending bookoo bucks on a car that's gonna go bye-bye soon anyway.

-***** (Has to crank the tunes to drown it out...)

 

[DHMag]

could be wheel bearings..could be CV shafts. bearings alone will set you back 30-40 a piece. hub/bearing assemblies are around 60-80 each. shop charges for pressing in the new bearings, tack on about 20-40.

be warned, if it is bearings and you let it go too long, bad things will happen. i speak from a terrible experience. wheel bearings are one thing you dont want going out/failing at 80MPH.

 

[sdpatt]

You might want to review the topic I generated from my front wheel bearing replacement. See the link below.

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=18260&highlight=front+wheel+bearing

 

[Guido]

You know, when your car gets up around 185,000 miles and random stuff starts breaking, you expect the worst. I'd never suspect that my problem was as simple as a loose wheel...

Seriously, I could freely move all five lugs without much effort. A little torque and I'm back in business. Certainly just as serious as a wheel bearing, but fortunately not as expensive.

Thanks anyway, Scott and Dale, for the advice.

-***** (Spells "relief" L-U-G-W-R-E-N-C-H...)