Grinding Noise and Shaking!

[Derek]

Hello everyone,

I have a 1993 Festiva GL and I started hearing a grinding noise from my back left tire about a month ago. After about two weeks it started to feel like the car was riding a littler rougher then usual. Now my car shakes violently the noise has increased and there is also popping. It sounds like the back of the car is about to fall out.

I have 12in tires and as we all know how hard they are to come by, the previous owner put one slightly smaller tire on the car. They are all 12in but on has a thinner trim.

Upon further inspection, I noticed when I suspended the tire with a bottle jack that I could move the tire back and forth with my hands. I guess that means the bearings are bad. But I also moved the smaller tire around and it seems like the noise follows the smaller tire.

The car is practically undrivable at this point because of the fear that I'm just gonna spontaneously loose control and go off the road or something.

If you have any ideas for me let me know.
I appreciate the help in advance.
Thanks.

[Flyin4stroke]

You should be concerned, most likely your wheel bearing is dead. If you keep driving on a bad wheel bearing there is a chance of the wheel locking up. Replace the bearings. They are cheap.

[HondaSlayer]

X2. Get the wheel bearings fixed. Not good to drive around with bad bearings.

[Damkid]

Yup definitely sounds like rear wheel bearings, good thing they are cheap to replace

[Flyin4stroke]

X2 I do them once a yr. with 15's. Keeps them fresh.

[georgeb]

Hopefully it hasn't seized to the axle shaft.

[WmWatt]

Remove the axle nut and pull the brake drum off to take a look. Passenger side is reverse thread. When reinstalling tighten axle nut so wheel turns freely but is not loose. Photos of bearing replacement at

http://www.photobucket.com/Festiva-backwheel

[Pu241]

Hopefully it hasn't seized to the axle shaft.

Georgeb beat me to it.
Good chance it has aready happened.
Better be prepared to cut the baearing off, without damaging the spindle.
Have new bearings with you BEFORE you pull the drum off.
Because if the bearing has failed and you remove the drum, it will not go back together.

[Derek]

Yea it was definitely the bearings!! I took the brake drum off and metal pieces started falling everywhere. The outer was bad but i went ahead and ordered the outer and inner. It was actually a sense of relief to see all those metal pieces. I've at least cornered one problem.

While inspecting the area. I saw that the metal piece on the back, that the drum slides into was a little shard. Will this give me problems as well?

Thanks.

[Flyin4stroke]

Pics would help.

[M3NTAL]

Buy good quality bearings like timken

[Derek]

Alright I'll get some together.

Thanks