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93 4dr Vitara: Front Wheel Bearings Noise/Replacement

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:36 am
by mtb4x4mad
I have a 93 4dr Vitara that makes a horrible noise/severe vibration at around 100kmh; it's far more noticeable when I back off the accelerator. I've recently replaced the rear diff (for a different reason), which i hoped might solve the vibration/noise as well, however it didn't and i still have the noise - it's nothing to do with the gearbox since it's not dependent on being in gear. Also, when the car is sitting on flat ground, there is some movement noticeable when pushing/pulling on the top of the front wheels.

So, the question is, are the bearings adjustable in any way or can they only be replaced, and how likely are front wheel bearings to generate severe vibration and noise?

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:44 pm
by joeblow
i'd be looking at the rear tailshaft first. how much lift and how many k's?

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:56 pm
by mtb4x4mad
Yeah, that's what i thought it was first too, so i checked the uni's and had one changed - still no difference to noise. The rear diff also needed changing due to backlash, which i'd hoped would fix the noise, but no luck with that either. I'm running out of ideas - what else would make such a noise/vibration and that also is louder when backing off? It does the same thing out of gear so really can't be anything else other than the bearings...
BTW, there's no lift at this stage and it has done 265k.

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:30 pm
by gumtree
the front bearings are agjustable in that u can tighten them. what i had before when i bought my vit was there wasnt a seal in the hub and over time water got in and rusted/corroded the shaft thing that the bearing sits on so at full tightness it was still loose. got new shaft and bearing and loose wheel was fixed.