Pulling problem & hum noise??

scottsubarus · #1 12-15-2004, 03:57 PM

I've done my search, no luck.

Problem is 92 SVX has a definate pull to the right & a noise that seems to be at the RF wheel area. Not sure if the two are related. Not sure when the pull problem surfaced, as for a long time car wasn't driven much. Son bought car and replaced all 4 struts with new, installed 4 new tires and had alignment done. I don't recall the pull or the noise being there at that time. If I were to guess, it seems to have started after the car came back from a 1,000 mile trip......but its only a guess.

I've had the alignment checked at 2 different alignment shops, and even had the frame checked. All indications show everything is fine with alignment and frame.

The noise sounds like if a tire wasn't putting down a good "footprint" on the pavement......kinda like having 1 snow tire on the RF. Noise is always there, it is vehicle speed related, as I can put in "N" and coast and noise stays the same. It doesn't seem to be causing any abnormal wear on the tire either.

So, does anyone out there have any ideas to check??? has anyone heard of a Hub assy going bad?? and if so how did it go bad for them?? would appreaciate any help or direction!!

Scott
Omaha

gsodonis · #2 12-15-2004, 04:37 PM

What tires are on the car?
What size are they (are they the stock size?)

I put a set of 17" wheels on my wife's 01 Honda Odyssey and had Kumho STX tires. These tires got so loud after just a couple of thousand miles, that I sold them at a loss and went back to the stock sized tire - instant quiet. That STX tire was designed for a light truck with a solid rear axle. The natural camber of the independent rear suspension of the Odyssey caused the rear tires to ride more on the inner most tread blocks causing feathering and the extremely loud noise while rolling. This was a case of the wrong application for the tire and not any problem with the tires themselves or with the alighment of the Ody - it also checked out to be OK.

Certain tire tread patterns are prone to 'feathering', regardless of alignment. Once a tire's treads feather, they start to drone while rolling. Try rotating your tires (move the fronts to the rear and the rears to the front and see if the noise moves with the tire (what I suspect to be the case). If it does, have that tire inspected; it may be bad. If it's OK, it may just be inherent in the tire design and it's either something you have to live with or change the tires.

scottsubarus · #3 12-15-2004, 09:08 PM

intresting. I have rotated the RF and the RR and didn't change anything. When we bought the tires we gave them the size that it was supposed to be........but you described the noise perfectly..a droan....but only at the RF???

#4 12-15-2004, 10:12 PM

Sounds more like a wheel bearing is going out. The front has them, too, they just aren't as prone to go out as the back.

drivemusicnow · #5 12-15-2004, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TorG0d
Sounds more like a wheel bearing is going out. The front has them, too, they just aren't as prone to go out as the back.

I agree

the added resistance would slightly slow that wheel down.. and would cause the droaning noise, only from that wheel.

ensteele · #6 12-15-2004, 10:31 PM

After you replace the bearings, you may want to have it realigned.

scottsubarus · #7 12-16-2004, 04:27 AM

Are the bearings serviceable by themseves?? or do I need to replace the HUB ASSY. My friend who last checked the alingnment where he works said that when on a hoist, and wheels dangling free...engine running and in gear, the LF tire spun slowly, but RF didn't want too. I know the brake isn't dragging, so It did make me think about the RF bearing. If I have to buy it as the HUB assy, I see its over $200 for it. Kind of an expensive guess, but don't know what else it would be.

Scott

SVX10 · #8 12-20-2004, 11:18 AM

I've got a smiliar issue. I get the tire groan a little bit on the highway, but then when I'm doing low speed high angle turns, it's like somebody slapped some 44" mud boggers up front. Vibration through the floor and a bit through the steering wheel, and the groan gets way louder. I've checked for bearings (jack up vehicle, hug the wheel and give it a good shake to check for free play) and they seem to be fine. Another symptom I have is the following...I'll pull parallell to a curb and stop. I'll turn the wheel to "full lock" as though I'm going to do a u-turn. I say "full lock" because as soon as I let off the brake and start to do the U-turn, the wheel will turn another 1/4 turn or so. I don't think that much resistance builds up in the tire itself, so it must be a steering problem. Anyway, I don't even know where I'm going with this...just wanted to complain about the issues I'm having with my car right now

As for the vehicle on the lift and only one wheel turning, I believe this is because the front diff is an open diff. If there is no traction (as is the case on the lift), all the torque is delivered to one wheel (normally the one with the least traction, but I'm not sure how it pics which wheel when neither has traction)

Also, I know that Collin (svxer95) thought it was much easier to replace the whole hub rather than just the bearing, but either can be done. I would personally have just the bearing done (if that is the problem) at a shop, making sure that they pack the bearing with some good grease (per the many thread recommendations you can find here using the search feature).

dcarrb · #9 12-20-2004, 11:39 AM

With the car on a lift, a mechanic's stethoscope may be used to confirm failing wheel bearings.

dcb

SVXer95 · #10 12-20-2004, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVX10
Also, I know that Collin (svxer95) thought it was much easier to replace the whole hub rather than just the bearing, but either can be done. I would personally have just the bearing done (if that is the problem) at a shop, making sure that they pack the bearing with some good grease (per the many thread recommendations you can find here using the search feature).

Only if you are poor and a cheap b4st4rd should you do this.

I also knew that my hub was bad. Do not, I repeat, do not get any Subaru repairs done in Flint, MI. That is, unless you want to pay more money to fix what they did at a later date.

scottsubarus · #11 12-20-2004, 05:14 PM

Well parts are on order from subaruparts.com, and son works at Subaru dealer (still get better deal from subaruparts.com than he can where he works) anyway, the plan is he will install the bearing, seals, snap ring and Front brakes that are needed anyway. will post here if it indeed fixes the problem....if it doesn't I really don't know what else it could be.

Scott