Wheel bearing noise?

[Mike McKown]

I just purchased a '90 Festiva with a 5 speed. Driving, it makes a growling, grinding noise from the front end. You can jack up either front wheel and let it spin. The noise is the same from either wheel. There doesn't seem to be any lateral play in either front wheel.

If this were a rear drive car, I'd suspect differential carrier bearings.

Is the problem likely in the transaxle or in the wheel bearings?

How can I confirm?

[GenevaDirt]

Wheel bearings....one of the few problems with our cars...loads of fun to repair. They are pressed in/on and require a little effort and knowhow to do them yourself

[Mike McKown]

If it were wheel bearings, wouldn't there be some lateral play with the weight off the wheels? Could you outline briefly what has to come apart to fix the wheel bearings?

I have a Haynes manual. Is it covered in there?

[Damkid]

wheel bearings can make that growling sound and not have any play

[GenevaDirt]

If it were wheel bearings, wouldn't there be some lateral play with the weight off the wheels? Could you outline briefly what has to come apart to fix the wheel bearings?

I have a Haynes manual. Is it covered in there?

No play in mine and they need changed, I know from past experience...and yes...it should be in the Haynes manual.
There is a write up on how here also...I think....lol

[MPG]

it should be in the Haynes manual.

I got a kick out of the description on doing front wheel bearings in the Haynes manual.

It was something like "Take your car to a professional" :lol:

The FSM has the full detailed procedure.

[Dave G]

Remove or push in the brake pads before checking for play. If you've got a sticking caliper, it can make the hub seem tighter than it really is.

[Mike McKown]

Okay, since there is general agreement the wheel bearings are gone, do I:

1. replace the Festiva bearings
2. shop the junkyard for used Festiva hubs/bearings
3. shop the junkyard for used Aspire. Is the Aspire I direct bolt on and what parts do you have to get off the donor Aspire.

I have a little trouble on this site as I've never worked on a FWD car before, don't know the terminology and I sometimes think, too old to learn. For example, it's taken me a long while to figure out what B3 and B6 mean.

It looks like from what I've read here, the rear wheel bearings fit up like a '63-'67 Corvette or a Corvair rear wheel bearing?

[GenevaDirt]

Rear wheel bearings are cake...they are like most other cars. But if you want a real solution and have the funds and a source, the aspire swap is the way to go. It is better braking and then changing the bearings is also a normal process...much easier and there are no shims to worry about. They are pretty much a direct bolt from what I have read with a couple of exceptions that are easy to fix...like the rubber brake line from the aspire is needed because it is longer...and I think you need the outer tie rod from an aspire or an escort. The back I believe is a direct swap...but I would wait for better info from someone that has done it already...or find it in the suspension section.

[Mike McKown]

Okay, I'll wait. Thanks. Maybe somebody else can help.

By the way, I meant to say the FRONT wheel bearings on a Festiva seem to be set up like the rear bearings are on the Corvette and Corvair.

[skeeters_keeper]

There are a few writeup's on doing the aspire swap, I did a small "writeup" with pictures at one point (search for "skeeter update thread", i think the aspire swap was in #3).

Geneva was right, for the front you will need the aspire hub/caliper/rotor combo, the rubber aspire lines, and either aspire or escort rod ends (if your buying new escort rod ends are a LOT cheaper but work just as well as the aspire ends, if the ends on the car your getting the brakes from then aspire ends are fine too).

thats pretty much it... direct swap. Make sure you have wheels to use b/c the aspire bolt pattern is 4x100 instead of 4x114.3 of the festiva pattern.

for the rear grab the entire beam, you can use the aspire or festiva e-brake cable, and either aspire or festiva brake lines should work.

Do the aspire swap, it is WELL worth the time and effort!
Good luck!

[gottafesty]

the aspire swap is the way to go. It is better braking and then changing the bearings is also a normal process...much easier and there are no shims to worry about.

If you can get the Aspire parts I recommend doing the Aspire swap. But, the Festiva and Aspire front bearings are assembled the same way with shims and being pressed in. However, the rotors are not pressed on with the Aspire which makes it easier to swap rotors out or take them off to be turned.

[Mike McKown]

I can take it from here. Thanks, guys.

[GenevaDirt]

If you can get the Aspire parts I recommend doing the Aspire swap. But, the Festiva and Aspire front bearings are assembled the same way with shims and being pressed in. However, the rotors are not pressed on with the Aspire which makes it easier to swap rotors out or take them off to be turned.

cool...I learned something too....but at least the rotors can be turned and replaced much easier