97 Gt Weird/annoying Sound From Front End! Help!

[Stoj]

Hey Guys , im a newbie on here and could do with some help regarding my 1997 Celica GT.

I have a weird, deep sounding whu whu kinda of sound coming from what sounds like the front end of the car.

Its mostly when im turning to the right, but happens to a lesser extent whilst turning to the left and can feel it ever so slightly on the straights. I can feel it with the slightest of turns and it increases in speed with the rotation of the wheels. I've taken it to about 3 garages and they cant pinpoint what it is. They is no play in any of the wheels, no sound when the car is jacked up and the wheels rotated by hand! There is some very slight uneven tyre wear, i have swapped the front wheels to the back. It felt slightly better but still there! Basically they say it could be wheel bearing, Driveshaft, CV but are not sure and are guessing. I dont really want to throw loads of cash at is cause im looking to trade up to a T-Sport.

Any help would be much appreciated as its driving me insane and making me hate the car! :(

Thanks

[Boro Sera]

sounds like a wheel bearing to me.

It could feasibly be a bearing in the gearbox, but more likely not.

To check the CV you should put the car in reverse and on full lock, you'll hear a clicking/knocking as you reverse in a tight circle.

Good luck with it!

[Stoj]

Thanks for that Bora, thats kinda what i was thinking.

I dont think its the CV, Although sometimes it does seem to click on full lock reverse! It really dont sound like that cause i had a cv joint go on an old car i owned and recognise the sound.

As regards to the driveshaft, i think i'll be throwing alot more money at it than the wheel bearings so i'll go for them.

I am told that if the sound seems worse turning to the front right, i should change the front left bearing??

Is this true??

Thanks

[Boro Sera]

not sure about that myself.

When I've had a wheel bearing go in the past i've always changed them both - using the fact that they were both the same age as a justification. Shopping around can save you a packet where bearings are concerned.

[Stoj]

Cheers, any ideas where the best/cheapest place to get the bearings from?

[samsite999]

i just got some for my Gt4, same problem, its a kind of wooring grinding noise when i go around a right turn, its the left one that needs replacing. I got the bering for 30 pounds from bennets, they even had it in stock.

any one have any ideas how much of a ***** it is to replace? do they need to be pressed in?

[daktari]

i just got some for my Gt4, same problem, its a kind of wooring grinding noise when i go around a right turn, its the left one that needs replacing. I got the bering for 30 pounds from bennets, they even had it in stock.

any one have any ideas how much of a ***** it is to replace? do they need to be pressed in?

Not the worst job on a Celica. just pray that the outer Shell hasn't rotated in the hub. A press is advisable.

[samsite999]

i just got some for my Gt4, same problem, its a kind of wooring grinding noise when i go around a right turn, its the left one that needs replacing. I got the bering for 30 pounds from bennets, they even had it in stock.

any one have any ideas how much of a ***** it is to replace? do they need to be pressed in?

Not the worst job on a Celica. just pray that the outer Shell hasn't rotated in the hub. A press is advisable.

im not going to be able to do it so im going to get a mate to do it for me (he was a mechanic) any ideas how long a job like this should take? i haven't been able to lay my hands on a hayns manual yet. Does any one have any documentation on this at all?

[daktari]

i just got some for my Gt4, same problem, its a kind of wooring grinding noise when i go around a right turn, its the left one that needs replacing. I got the bering for 30 pounds from bennets, they even had it in stock.

any one have any ideas how much of a ***** it is to replace? do they need to be pressed in?

Not the worst job on a Celica. just pray that the outer Shell hasn't rotated in the hub. A press is advisable.

im not going to be able to do it so im going to get a mate to do it for me (he was a mechanic) any ideas how long a job like this should take? i haven't been able to lay my hands on a hayns manual yet. Does any one have any documentation on this at all?

With a press it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours at the outside. depends on the number/frequency/availability of tea breaks etc.

[samsite999]

he doesn't drink tea, he lives on suger free redbull and ginsters pastys. Im supprised he is still alive!

is the job possible with out a press? i was going to get it done tomorrow as i need the car on Monday. if it isnt ill just weight till Monday when he will be able to get hold of one

[daktari]

he doesn't drink tea, he lives on suger free redbull and ginsters pastys. Im supprised he is still alive!

is the job possible with out a press? i was going to get it done tomorrow as i need the car on Monday. if it isnt ill just weight till Monday when he will be able to get hold of one

Yes. you can drift the old one out and press the new one in with a decent bench vice and spacers. Make sure you clean mating surfaces up well and lubricate with some engine oil. That's over simplifying it a bit. :D

[midfieldwarrior]

Daktari is on the money, I'd say. Be aware though, the bearings are designed to be a tight fit (for obvious reasons) so you need to be very careful about getting them lined up perfectly and doing the in a patient fashion if you're drifting them in rather than using a press. I found myself swearing more than a little when I did this job on my old CRX.

If you can find someone with a press then the job is just largely time consuming with the right tools. I imagine it will similar on your Celica to the CRX (or any other car) so you'll need to take the hub carrier out, which involves splitting a ball joint or two and disconnecting the driveshaft. If you're not feeling too confident about it, definitely getting someone who's been there before to give you a hand.

[Stoj]

:) :D Well, i put the car in a garage i trust and suggested changing the left front wheel bearing. Low and behold, noise and vibration gone!!! yeehaa. I got the Bearing from LDS Pontypridd for £45 inc vat and the garage charged £49 inc vat labour which was very resonable i thought considering a few other garages wanted to charge 2 !/2 hours labour per side after reading their "magic book". Dont even go how much Toyota main wanted to charge, £70 per hour diagnosistic!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Now i can sell it and upgrade to a t-sport or GT.

Thanks