So here's the deal. I'm getting a cyclical vibration and sound that is heard and felt throughout the car that appears to be coming from the front left wheel. I replaced both front wheel bearings when the left one went out last August (only a few thousand miles ago, i don't wanna go check my log book). This vibration started back lets say November~ish, I checked all over the front end, had the tires and wheels re-balanced twice. It slowly started to disappear on its own and didn't seem to have any effect on driving so i left it well alone. Then, a few weeks ago, I started to get a squeal while driving at 10~30mph, but the vibrations hadn't change so i assumed it was my brakes. I replaced all of my brakes and both of my front rotors. Now, the squeak is still there and now the vibrations and cyclical noises are more prominent! It doesn't appear to be dissipating. I've looked all over my front end and can't find a bad bushing and all of my Boots on the CVs and Tie Rods are flawless. I've just about had it and I think I'm just going to take it to a shop to have it diagnosed. I'd be extremely grateful for any advice! :shock P.S. 1986 Celica GT-S GS-GE 96k miles TLDR; Squeak/Cyclical sound/Vibrations coming front front left wheel. Relatively new bearings/ CV looks good/ new rotors and pads/ Can't find any bad bushings. WAT DO
I did some work on a friend's Corolla recently who was having the same problem, turned out the brake pads were just moving around on their shims, I pulled them out, cleaned them up and threw them back together with some anti-squeal and it seems to have solved the problem. Could also be a rooted CV joint, even though the boot looks ok the joint within could be stuffed?
I'm nearly 100% certain it hasn't anything to do with my brakes, and what do you mean by a rooted CV?
Now that I think more on this....I'm having the same issue I replaced everything except calipers up front.....does it get worse when u turn the wheel even slightly right?
Not particularly, If I remember correctly the vibrations change when I turn, but not specifically in a direction, or very noticeably for that matter.
Maybe your top tranny mount it bolts to the left frame rail and could cause Cyclical sound/Vibrations on that side. Does the Cyclical sound/Vibrations speed up as you accelerate If you push the clutch in and coast does it make a difference to the Cyclical sound/Vibrations
MattC - I don't think my CV is "rooted" , as the power transfer seems even ST165-2765 - I was in a crash a while back and that sounds like it could the tranny mounts. The cyclical sounds and vibrations do indeed speed up as I accelerate. Though the sounds/vibrations are not affected with the clutch pushed in, or the tranny in or out of gear.
I just took a glimpse at my mounts, they look to be in good condition, I can't do much as I have the flu at the moment, even so, I don't think it's my motor/tranny mounts as the vibration is a constant and nothing seems to affect it.
I would agree its probably not a vibration from the engine/tranny if you can push the clutch in and don't notice a change. Why did you replace the front wheel bearings ? How bad was the old drivers side bearing? If the old bearing was bad it may have damaged your spindle and that will cause a vibration that is very hard to find. If its not the spindle or replacement bearing then its most likely your CV half shaft. Theirs no real inspection you can do except to see if the boots are cracked and leaking grease and that tells you nothing about the condition of all the ball bearings and inner and outer races of the inboard and outboard joints.
I replaced the front wheel bearings due to the fact that the driver's side bearing went out. Unfortunately, I waited to long to do so and I mushroomed the driver's side hub as well. Like I said earlier, the CV boots are flawless. As much as I'd like to think I can diagnose this problem myself, would you guys suggest I take it to a mechanic for just the diagnosis? I believe I'll be able to replace the CV if need be, I think I saw a tutorial on this site a while back, and I have a Celica Toyota Repair Manual.
Have you tried rotating the tyres and seeing if the problem persists or moves to another wheel? I've read on other forums where people have had similar mystery problems and it's turned out to be something as stupid as a tyre that's out of round.
While I have not rotated my tires, it seems extremely unlikely that an out of round tire is the cause. Especially due to the squeaking that is coming from the wheel. Also, the severity of the vibrations and the fact that I can feel them at a mere 15mph lends itself to a more severe problem. :sad
So I just spent a good half hour talking with some extremely helpful mechanics at an auto shop near my house, and they seem to think, that my wheel bearing, the one I replaced, is faulty/bad. *Sigh* They suggested I put my front end up on jack stands and take a stethoscope and listen to my hub while someone gives it gas. The irony is that this same thing happened initially when I replaced the bearings in August last year. Well, never using THAT brand and machinist again!
