I have a 98 civic with 265K, I am getting a noise from my front end......not sure if it is rotor noise or bearings......it first started a a squeak, almost like plastic...it has grown to a grind. I have change the brake pads...But not the rotors..............it is not the "chirp" from worn pads. the noise does not go away when I apply the brakes, nor does it go away when I corner.....

Do you think it is the bearings? is this a job I can do myself? I understand these are pressed bearings.............what is the chance the whole hub will need to be replaced?

Any help is appreciated.

Rick

 

My lexus is making similar sounds and I narrowed it down to my bearings. I highly doubt you need to replace the whole hub. I replaced the bearing to my old accord in the parking lot of a hotel with limited tools so it can be done when I was working on the road. A part store should have a tool that will make your life a whole lot easier so check them out before you begin.

Remove your caliper and rotor, spin the hub and listen to be positive. It is impossible to get you a 100% answer with out hearing for myself. You shouldn't have a problem recreating the noise if this is in fact your issue.

 

So you think I can get the bearing off and on in my garage...or will I need to take the assembly to the parts store for "pressing"?

 

Lets see, I want to say I used a dremel( love wal-mart for the buy, use, and return ability) to cut and remove the bearing and then used the axle nut with some washers or something of that nature to press it back on.

Ya might want to check out youtube. I am sure you can find a step by step tutorial for a your car. It has been a while and I can't remember for sure how I did it and it was a 96 accord so I cant be 100% it would be exactly the same. I do remember I had a hell of a time due to the lack of tools and being in a hotel parking lot. It would of been a lot easier if I would of been in my garage as I do have a press and 6 ft tool box full of tools