whiteboy444

I think my left rear wheel bearing is going bad. I'm hearing a noise when I'm making a slow turn to the left, which I believe is a sign. Also, a squeaking noise has started when I drive around 5-10 mph. The squeaking sound is the same sound when you're brake pads need to be replaced. Also, when I brake this noise is louder.

I'm going to replace the brake pads this weekend and hope that's it's the rear wheel bearings (which I'm sure it is). Anyways, what are your thoughts? If it is a wheel bearing, can someone hook me up with someone instructions on how to replace them?

Thanks in advance!

roadbike56

What's with the wheel bearings on C5 Corvettes? I have to go back to an old, beater 64 Buick that I picked up as a cheap DD to find a car that I had to replace wheel bearings. Since then somewhere around 15-20 cars have passed through my hands without needing wheel bearings, including two C-3s.

whiteboy444

The craziness continues.... Last night when I was driving, I didn't hear any noise coming from the car (noise I was hearing was kinda like crickets chirping) when I was on my way to pick up my nephew from school. On the way home, I heard the noise again, but this time the sound was coming from the right rear.

Today, no sound for about 5 min of driving and the. It started again on the left side.

Something else about this annoying sound, it's not constant. Imma jack the Vette up this afternoon and see if there's any play in any of the rear wheels, wish me luck.

renegad44

Could it be the differential slipping?

Mickeyrx70

In my experience a failing rear wheel bearing produces a rhythmic thumping sound that's like a tire bump. It'll vary with speed & become noticeable above 5 or 10 mph.

whiteboy444

this is what i've heard before and confuses the mess outta me.... the sound isn't rhythmic.... in addition, i hear it when i'm driving around 5-10 mph or so.... it's driving me nuts (so to speak)!

whiteboy444

Just got the car off jack stands and here's what I found out. With the car raised, and tranny in neutral, and engine turned off, there is no play in the wheels. I grabbed from the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, tried to wiggle the wheel up and down, and left and right, there was no play in the wheel.

With the car in neutral, I spun the wheel forward and it was dragging on the brake pad, to the point to where it was audible.

I did everything to the right rear too and received the same results.

Any ideas?

whiteboy444

And a note about the brake pads, the appear to be half as thick as my new ones. I'll be replacing them tomorrow, I need to buy an 18 mm wrench.

renegad44

^^ And the caliper bolts are tight?

whiteboy444

Yeah, really snug, but that was with using my hand. I didn't try with a wrench though.

cookie7

really??

whiteboy444

Ummmm yeah really. The bolts don't appear lose and I couldn't break me free with using just my hand. Not sure what you're gettin at cookie.

Drumbum675

This is also my experience. I had to replace mine a few months ago. The sound was so much like a tire issue that I went and had the wheels balanced first to rule it out. It's like an out of round or out of balance wheel sound without any vibration.

Aerovette

I had ZERO play in my bearings and they were bad. It is not a big job IF you know your way around a toolbox. Not really for a novice, but not impossible for a beginner. Folllow the directions closely. I had a couple mishaps, but it was not that bad.

My car made no difference in tossing the weight from side to side at first, but the longer I drove with the suspected bearing, the more I noticed the change from righ to left weight shift.

The noise I heard was a low growl that increased with speed. I took the old hub off and it rotated like a pepper grinder. The new one is smooooooooth.

whiteboy444

Changed out the rear brake pads and the annoying a$$ noise is gone. But, there's a moan from the left rear wheel when I turn the car to the left, so it's goin in the shop Thursday to have the wheel bearing replaced.