Noisy Drive Gti

[tariqf]

Hi, I have a toyota carina GTi, which drives fine, except there seems to be a lot of road noise comming from the front of the car as I drive. I can't quite tell of it's coming from the left or right hand-side (or both). Please forgive my lack of knowledge but is this something to do with wheel bearings perhaps? It seems to get loader as speed increases.

[Unity Jon]

first of all check your tyre pressures before getting dirty...... low tyre pressure can do exactly this.

bearing noise generally doesnt get louder the faster you go, but the knocking noise will get faster, the faster you go.....

[salz]

if there is a humming noise then that is the wheel bearing that is humming and that normally gets louder the faster you go also check the tyre pressure cos that could cause the noise too B)

[tariqf]

ok thanks guys, I've checked the tyre pressure - which is fine. So I took the wheel off to have a closer look. I noticed that the disk does not move freely as the brake pads are gripping it quite tightly, I'm not sure if this is normal. Anyway I took the brake pads off to have a look, it seems there are a couple of wires that look like they're supposed to push the bads away from the disc when you take your foot off the pedal - like a spring. But they are no-where near strong enough so the pads stay on the disc. Does anyone know if this is correct? I'm sure they're gripping because the car does not roll very far in neutral before it comes to a halt.

Apart from the brake pads, I suspect I might need new bearings, can anyone shed some light on this - what parts need replacing, cost etc.?

[dawesy]

the springs are only anti rattle springs,but does sound like you might have seized callipers! best way to find out is take the pads out and try to push the pistons back into the calliper (watch the fluid in the resovoir it might leak out the top if its quite full) if they are exesivley stiff, there will be some resistance, then the pistons are siezed you can try spraying penetrating fluid on them but if that doesn't work then new callipers i'm afraid hope this helps :o

[tariqf]

thanks dawsey,

think it's definately the bearings though, as I've been doing some internet research & I have all the symptoms i.e. vibrating steering wheel, and humming noise that gets louder with acceleration. I think my brake calipers are ok.

Could anyone tell me where the front wheel bearings are, and how I can re-lubricate them? I'd be very grateful for any pointers.

[Unity Jon]

Dont bother trying to re-grease as replacement bearings are cheaper and more cost effective than pratting about taking the old ones out to re-grease then re-fitting.

[tariqf]

thanks guys got a front bearing for £26 and fitted for an other £25 at my local garage. Drives sweetly now.