Rumbling noise

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I really need to figure out whats going on, the car has a constant rumble comming from under the front driver side somewhere, and occasionally from the passenger side, especially when I let off the gas, but not exclusively (does it when pushing the gas too sometimes) around corners it will "wobble"...not the clicking sound my aspire made when the cv's were bad. It's a 99 mazda 626, anyone know whats up from what I'm describing. I'm just stumped its killing me.

[JPT]

Quick guess. Wheel bearing.

[JoDan]

The wobbling around corners makes me suspect a wheel bearing also. Jack up the car and grab the top and bottom of the tire and move back and forth to see if there is play in the bearing.

[Pu241]

3X wheel bearings
Jack it up and check for play.

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Quick guess. Wheel bearing.

I was thinking that, but really hoping not, they're a PITA to replace from what I hear, like festy/spire bearings. I was also thinking it may not be that because my van does it too occasionally (not often) and I just put a new wheel bearing/hub assembly in it in march/april of this year.

If that turns out to be the general consensus I'll replace it, I hope to not end up putting a whole new front end under this car before I figure it out like I ended up doing with my aspire.


I have jacked it up, more than once, and shook the crap out of the tires on both sides, honestly there is NO play that I can tell. I even used a 4' pipe under the tire like someone suggested and the strut/spring moves with no wheel play. The car sat for 3 years, maybe the bearings are tight but have a flat spot like tires develop after sittting?

[FestYboy]

your 626 has cartridge style bearings, much easier to replace than the festy units.

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Yea it's another one of those subjects the haynes manual doesn't go into detail about and tells you to have a shop do it.. it's supposed to be bearing/hub assemblies tho, so I figure it's one of those torch and tap deals like with the van. Either way it's a pita lol..

[walth]

I would do a complete look over. check your lca's, sway bar bushings, ball joints and pinch bolts, strut-to-knuckle bolts...etc

make sure your lug studs are tight first to rule them out

and then start marking stuff off the list. If I were you, I would completely take off the knuckles to check how tight your joints are.

yeah it could be your bearings but who knows but you...

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I have looked it over, a couple times, I've put wrenches on the stuff to twist for play and haven't figured it out yet, I did replace the tie rod end on the driver side, but obviously that wasnt this problem (it was banging really hard the old tie rod wasn't tightened down enough i think.)

The hub/bearing assemblies are only on the rear, the bearings are replaceable on the front w/o changing the hubs..i have a general idea of how it's assembled, but does anyone have a link or can enlighten me further on how to press out/in the new bearings? What tool do I need to press them..? I've heard its something you can rent @ azone but i'm not sure.

It's a 30 dollar part, I'll attempt it on the driver side in a few days and if it fix's the problem i'll do the passenger side...and check on the lca's while I have the knuckle out....

[walth]

I've not done it yet myself but you can rent/buy a puller or buy a slide hammer to get it apart.

AFAIK you can reassemble everything and torque the axle nut to spec (130?) and it's pressed right where it needs to be. no guessing like shops have to with their vices or whatever they use. I know of at least one person who has done it that way with daily driving and it was months ago now. no issues. but...search is your friend and I'm not accountable for any mishaps other than my own.

[GenevaDirt]

I watched Arty and Will do the job at Madness and all they used were some sockets and a hammer along with a bearing install tool......made it look like a piece of cake. I would hit Arty (Festyboy) up and ask procedure.