850 T5R front end noise (sounds like tire rubbing)...

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » 12 Dec 2012, 23:50

Just bought this car sight unseen, never drove or looked at it in person. It is a rebuilder and was 900 miles away. Had it shipped here and put it it all together and went for a drive. The passenger side wheel sounds like it's rubbing. Can fade the sound out some when wheels are almost straight but it makes the noise when turned in any direction. Jacked the vehicle up shook the wheels (all tight) Changed tires out, still same rubbing sound. Cv boots are good, shafts don't click or anything. Think the bearing plate on the drivers side may be weak ( light clunk when pulling into driveway) I do know the car sat with 4 flat tires for about 8 months, not sure if this had anything to do with it. I spoke with the original owner and he said that it didn't make any noise the last time he drove it. (and no I don't think he would b.s. me because he told me every tiny thing wrong with it) I am thinking maybe a wheel bearing.. any suggestions?

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 13 Dec 2012, 01:18

Inner fender cover? check to see if it has all of it little plastic nuts. the wider tires on the R's and even the turbo's can rub when turning. Wheel bearing would really only make noise if you were turning left when there's direct load on the right wheel.

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Dec 2012, 01:48

Yea, agree w/ anmartin44: wheel well liner touching the tire. Or a brake dust guard that gets bent can make a terrible racket.

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » 13 Dec 2012, 03:13

Checked the inner fenders, also the tires I swapped to troubleshoot were alot smaller. I will check the brake dust guard when I get home from work. It does sound like a deeper noise like a tire rubbing... not a metallic sound. On a side note I did notice the axle shaft tip and nut are both oily.

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Dec 2012, 09:40

May be a wheel bearing (may have something to do with the axle nut being oily). I've heard some make a deep droning noise, and some just kinda a harsh grating noise.

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » 13 Dec 2012, 17:36

Going to change out the wheel bearing Saturday, will post the outcome. Thanks

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 13 Dec 2012, 22:57

the axle nut shouldn't really be oily...unless PO lubed it up to get the nut off before. Not sure on that one. did you try to re-torquing the alxle nut just to make sure it's not slightly loose?

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » 14 Dec 2012, 19:14

Going to change out the bearing in the morning. I'm wondering if once I pull the cv shaft out if I can wiggle the bearing assembly to see if it is even bad?

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » 18 Dec 2012, 12:42

Well it was the wheel bearing......... could not feel and play and didn't squeal. When removed it nearly fell apart.

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Dec 2012, 13:19

Thanks for posting the resolution on this, Pantech. For our collective knowledge, how many miles on the car (or the hub you replaced, if you know it's not original)?