I replaced my driver side rear wheel hub/bearing assembly on my 99 Civic Si this weekend, and after fighting to get the race off the spindle I wrapped things up nicely. Today to and from work I was getting what I would call very loud road noise from that wheel. It started noticeably at about 50 mph and became very obvious/loud at 65-70 mph. There was no vibration, just a very loud bearing whine with a hint of slight grinding. The noise is more prominent when turning slightly right, and dissipates slightly when turning to left when at speed.

These are brand new bearings/hub. I torqued the spindle bolt to 134 lb-ft, and I noticed the original stake was well past the key channel so I had made a new stake down the lip of the nut a bit. Any suggestions of where I went wrong? Could I have torqued too much (used an old torque wrench, was rather imprecise) leading to excess noise?

 

Is the splash guard bent and rubbing on the brake rotor?

 

did you pull the brakes/rotors?

Ive had a bolt back itself out before and become lodged between the rotor/caliper that made some loud noises. Granted it wasn't after a wheel bearing, however Ive also bought a brand new bearing, and installed a bad part.

Got to yank it apart to diag.

 

You have to remove the rotor/caliper.


I agree with RonJ

 

I did put some pressure on it while trying to work the stubborn bearing race off the spindle. I'll get under tomorrow and check.

 

Easy fix, if so. And also very common source of wheel noise.