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Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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snorp
Novice
Nov 13, 2017, 6:11 AM
Post #1 of 9
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Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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Wife's car - 2001 Toyota Echo. Many miles. Exhaust system is shot including the catalytic converter.
Car has a 'rumbling' noise like a postcard touching a fan blade - low pitch. Noise is dependent upon the speed of the car - not on the speed of the engine. Started as low volume - now is very loud.
Mechanic says it is because of exhaust system. I say it is a brake bearing issue. But, the steering isn't affected at all - doesn't pull in any direction. Rear wheel bearing?
Is it possible that the mechanic is right? Wife trusts mechanic, not me. $ for exhaust system is high. But, to repair both the exhaust and a wheel bearing would be more than half of the car's value.
Would hate it if she repaired the exhaust system and then found out that a bearing needed replacement also.
Comments would be highly appreciated.
Regards
Andy Fern
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 13, 2017, 6:36 AM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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Smart woman! (crack me up) Ditto with Hammer Time: If this was a bearing not whole exhaust probably true it would make the noise if engine was turned off while moving or have nothing to do with load on engine.
This shouldn't be that hard to diagnose in person and it already has been so decide from that what you all wish to do,
T
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snorp
Novice
Nov 13, 2017, 12:50 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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Mr. Hammer,
The point of my post was to try to determine the total cost of the current necessary repairs BEFORE making a decision. I'm NOT trying to look around one problem. I'm trying to let her know what she's getting into if she only repairs the exhaust system. I believe if she does that she will be facing another $400 - $500 cost.
Not my car, not my decisions. "Smart" maybe, Stubborn as a mule, certainly. Stubborn in Everything - proven facts don't faze her.
Heading reads WHEEL, some dumb ass typed in brake at one point.
Now, please explain to me how, if it is only an exhaust issue, why is the noise much louder at 60mph (with foot off gas pedal) than at 30mph while accelerating.
I would have dumped this car a long time ago if it were mine.
I try to listen to my wife as best as I can - big struggle at times.
Thanks for your time and effort in commenting.
With my regards
Andy
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 13, 2017, 12:59 PM
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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OK, the point of my response was that, you cannot diagnose a specific noise when you have more than one noise, hence the looking past one problem.
Yes, it is entirely possible you could be facing another $250 - $400 for a wheel bearing. It's also possible and very probably that you will be paying hundreds more in subsequent repairs on a car that you already stated has "many miles" so you can either get used to big repairs or get rid of the car now. The wheel bearing, if it needs one, will not be the last repair that car will need.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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snorp
Novice
Nov 13, 2017, 1:13 PM
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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Hi Tom,
Thanks for your comment - glad you got a chuckle out of this. We need more chuckles.
Car doesn't make the noise when in idle or when racing the engine. But, two 'mechanics' have told her that if she replaces the exhaust system the noise will stop.
It is a fact that the exhaust system is SHOT. Please read my reply to Mr. Hammer regarding speed of car and speed of engine.
I'm obviously NOT a mechanic but the speed of the engine has NO relation to the volume of the noise. How can this be if it is only because of the exhaust system being shot? This is basically why I think it could be a wheel bearing.
Also, saw a video on YouTube where they drove a car which had a bad wheel bearing - same sound as the Echo - noise level increased as the speed increased. Video was done to show one way to test for a bad wheel bearing. Wife has no interest in watching the video -
I appreciate your time, expertise, and your post. I haven't tried driving the car down hill with the engine off.
I've been wrong 2 or 3 times before. Maybe I'll have to count this one too.
With my regards,
Andy
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snorp
Novice
Nov 13, 2017, 1:20 PM
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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Thanks for your time and comments - I appreciate both.
Actually I can hear only one noise - the one I described. I expanded my thought process in my reply to Tom. Maybe worth reading, maybe not.
Regards,
Andy
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 13, 2017, 1:27 PM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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You are just missing the point we are making. Sure it's possible you have a bad wheel bearing. we can't get any more confident than that from where we are sitting.
The whole point is................... It really doesn't matter if the bearing is bad. If it isn't the bearing, it will be something else, and then something else after that on this car. If you are not prepared for further repairs on this car, then you need to consider getting a different car because there will be more repairs, bearing or otherwise.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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snorp
Novice
Nov 13, 2017, 2:41 PM
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Re: Wheel Bearing Issue - or not?
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Thanks Mr. 'Time'
You are 100% correct. Did you notice my comment re 'Stubborn'? And the comment about 'Facts'?
This post was my last gasp at trying to convince her that she shouldn't be replacing the exhaust system because - it might not solve the problem - and it might cost more to fix the current issues than she has been led to believe.
I'm giving up on this issue. She is more stubborn than I am.
Regards,
Andy
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