Wheels make whining noise

[marleyskater420]

When I drive, sometimes at least, the wheels make a whining noise. And when I put the brake on lightly, it goes away.

Now I cant see any wear on the brake rotors, and it appears that the pads have a good 1/4" left of room on them, so what could be the issue?

My alignment is off to the right, if that matters.

 

[T- Type Tim]

wheel bearings need to be replaced, cup cake job

 

[Red Regal T]

May be your brake pad sensors making contact with the rotor that indicate that it's time for new pads or your pads are riding on the rotors. They are supposed to return with the piston. They sell a special adhesive to apply to the back of the pads to hold them to the brake piston.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Originally posted by T- Type Tim
wheel bearings need to be replaced, cup cake job

Ditto, bearings.

 

[1987BuickGN]

Are you guys sure its not in the rear end, for example the pinion bearing? Sounds like once he unloads the stress on the drivetrain, the noise goes away

I would go out and take big sweeping side to side turns (slalom like) and see if the noise cancels itself (goes away) during this type of driving.

Not saying it is pinion bearing, but could be......

 

[marleyskater420]

Originally posted by 1987BuickGN
Are you guys sure its not in the rear end, for example the pinion bearing? Sounds like once he unloads the stress on the drivetrain, the noise goes away

I would go out and take big sweeping side to side turns (slalom like) and see if the noise cancels itself (goes away) during this type of driving.

Not saying it is pinion bearing, but could be......

The noise comes and goes. Doesnt matter if im turning or not. Although when i turn the wheel ever-so slightly to the left, it sometimes goes away, but that could just be it not hitting or whatever.

Originally posted by T- Type Tim
wheel bearings need to be replaced, cup cake job

Where is that, what is that, how much is that, and how do I replace it.

When I got my tires, which was about 2 months of driving ago, Big O said my brakes looked fine. The brakes are kinda squeeky, but theyve always been that way.

 

[marleyskater420]

The noise goes away when I slightly depress the brake pedal.

I think my rotors are rubbing the pads. do you? I know my alignment is off, so maybe this could be a factor.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

What's happening is with bad bearings, there's too much play. That leads to movement and noise.

When you apply the brakes, the caliper clamps the rotor, and it can't wobble around anymore. It stabilizes the movement from the worn bearings and the sound goes away.

Simple check on your front bearings: get out of the car, walk to each front tire, put a hand on the sidewall at the top of the tire, and push with all you've got a few times. If the wheel has any play at all (outside of the tires flexing), get the bearings replaced.

Unless you have somebody that's done it before to help you, take it to a quality mechanic. It is an easy job, but if you screw up the preload when you bolt the hubs back on, you'll just chew the bearings up again. I think the book labor on the job is ~4 hours, and the full set of bearings and oil seals shouldn't be more than $40 for everything.

 

[marleyskater420]

Originally posted by Turbo6inKY
What's happening is with bad bearings, there's too much play. That leads to movement and noise.

When you apply the brakes, the caliper clamps the rotor, and it can't wobble around anymore. It stabilizes the movement from the worn bearings and the sound goes away.

Simple check on your front bearings: get out of the car, walk to each front tire, put a hand on the sidewall at the top of the tire, and push with all you've got a few times. If the wheel has any play at all (outside of the tires flexing), get the bearings replaced.

Unless you have somebody that's done it before to help you, take it to a quality mechanic. It is an easy job, but if you screw up the preload when you bolt the hubs back on, you'll just chew the bearings up again. I think the book labor on the job is ~4 hours, and the full set of bearings and oil seals shouldn't be more than $40 for everything.

i jacked up the car and the wheel could move, not the tire, but the wheel would move when I pushed on it.

Does this mean I need a new wheel bearing?

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Originally posted by marleyskater420
i jacked up the car and the wheel could move, not the tire, but the wheel would move when I pushed on it.

Does this mean I need a new wheel bearing?

Yes. Bearings, plural. Get both sides replaced. If one side is gone, the other is probably soon to follow.