Topic: Spindle or Hub noise?

[Bottoz]

I have a noise coming from the front suspension area. It increases with speed, but goes away when I put pressure on the brakes. In gear or out of gear, with clutch pushed in or not... the noise is there. Tapping each tire rotation. Wheels and Tires are new. I took off the calipers and rotor, and it feels like there is some play within the Hub. Passenger side has a little more play than drivers.

I hit every bolt on the suspension, spindle, hub, and caliper... and they're all tight. I'm debating whether or not I should buy a new hub assembly. But what has me baffled is that the noise goes away when there is brake pressure on the pads/rotor. Hmmm... maybe a warped rotor? But the wheel turns freely... mostly. Pads are 80% and rotors look fine. I think I'll have them turned just in case.

So... I guess what I'm asking is... has anyone noticed play in their wheel bearings/hub assembly?

[Critterman]

What kind of noise, and how did you check the play in it?  Can the bearings in our hubs be repacked?

[JimmyBaja]

Not sure about the front but the rear comes as all one unit sensor & all... not very expensive either.
When did you first notice the noise, after you put new wheels & tires on? If so I would start there, inspect the tires real good for possible imperfection.

[Hoosier GXP]

The front hub is the same as the rear. All one unit. If you replace just make sure if you have anti-lock brakes to get that on the new hub. I think 3 bolts hold the complete front hub assembly on.

You might also try and pull that side caliper loose and inspect the brake pads to see if one is separating. Also look for and sign of marking or scratching on that side rotor.

[Bottoz]

I did the usual wheel bearing check. Grab wheel at 12 & 6 - shake. Grab wheel at 9 & 3 - shake. It feels good, no play. When I rotate the wheel forward and change direction to reverse, I hear a tap. When I take off the caliper, the tap is gone, but the hub feels a little, uh, lumpy?

Since the sound goes away when I put pressure on the brakes or remove the caliper, I'm thinking it might be a loose pad. It's a very faint tap tap tap that increases with speed.

And yes, the same hub is used on all four wheels, with ABS. Looks like they're around $180 on Rock Auto.

The tires and wheels are new, direct from Tire Rack. I didn't notice anything abnormal. But, I DID start to notice the sound when I put the new wheels and tires on. Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.

[Critterman]

Put the old tires and wheels back on and see if it goes away.  If it does put the new fronts on the back and see if it moves, if it does it is a wheel and tire, if not probably the hub

[Sol Asylum]

Nice Bill and Ted reference

[Bottoz]

Good idea Critterman. I'll move the wheels/tires around this weekend. I have dedicated summer/winter sets.