11 replies to this topic

[Leloups66]

Can anyone give me some advice on my latest problem. I was running along nicely at about 50 mph when the car suddenly veered to the right - as if buffeted by a strong blast of wind. I slowed down and a few minutes later it did it again. It then started to make some noise. I stopped and checked underneath - nothing obvious. I continued and unsurprisingly the noise got worse. Toying with a couple hours wait for recovery or limping home I chose the latter. the noise became a grinding and squealing noise. My guess was a wheel bearing but it could be the CV joint. What ever is was it will now be worse for me driving it.
Firstly am I right that it is likely to be the Cv joint?
It is a 20 year old Sprite and the noise is at the front on the drivers side.
Secondly - if I have made the CV joint FUBAR ( beyond all recognition) Can I replace the CV joint and the other end whatever that is called?
Thirdly - can a ham fisted home mechanic armed with a Haynes manual manage this.
Fourth - parts needed? Expensive?
Fifth - Is this all minis or just mine. i spend more time fixing it than driving it.

Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this.

[sonikk4]

Its more likely to be the wheel bearing failing rather than the CV joint. You normally hear a CV joint making a noise when you turn a corner.

Both jobs are straight forward but you will need a ball joint splitter

[Ipod]

A tourque wrench too (if your not used to the giv it some and a bit more method)

[jayesmayfair]

Sounds to me like the wheel bearing has dried up.
I used to find i had this problem on my sprite too (funny that) when i had 13x8 alloys on it.
You could try re-packing it with grease to see if the noise goes away (if it does then just replace the bearing).
If not, check the C.V joint by holding the drive shaft whilst the car is on the ground and see if there is any push/pull movement.
Lastly and more likely not, check to see if the caliper hasn't seized on one side (had this happen to me on a L2B in 97).

Hope any of this is helpful, if not just swear at me (the wife always does lol)

[sonikk4]

If its making a grinding noise then it has failed. DO NOT attempt to repack it. It will need replacing. The same applies to the CV joint if is that.

This is safety critical and do not drive the car again until you have sorted it out.

[silver_toes]

Sounds like the wheel bearing to me. I'd advise investing in a high quality replacement I.E Timken

[tiger99]

Absolutely! Anything but Timken is a complete waste of time and money, and if you use the cheaper Chinese bearings currently on the market, you will be doing it again this year......

[bmcecosse]

I agree with all above - but the problem may be now that the broken bearing could have chewed up the hub carrier and/or the CV joint - so inspect them carefully when you pull it all apart.

[psychobob]

they can be a pain if the totally collapse. my front drivers aside failed doing seventy up the m6. by the time i got it off the next junction the entire hub and driveshaft had welded itself together. after replacing everything i cut the old hub in half with a grinder, and some of the rollers had stuck 5mm into the hub! its not such a bad job to swap the bearing though. try to get hold of a brass drift if you can. its less likely to gouge the hub when your fitting them.

[tiger99]

That was fortunate, because the heat often softens the metal until it breaks and you lose the wheel suddenly. It happens to other vehicles too, even a train derailment a year or so back was started off by a faulty bearing, and the hot axle sheared.

In your case you just had a mess of ruined parts to dismantle and replace, which is somewhat less serious.

[silver_toes]

as bmcecosse said, when my bearing went i also had to replace the CV joint. Part of the failed bearing has created a groove in the smooth bit of the CV joint. You could feel this by running you finger nail along the CV joint. ANY damage and i'd get it replaced. Also don't be tempted to go for a 2nd hand refurb one as you'll just be replacing it again in a few months as i had to.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing

[Leloups66]

Thank you for the advice. I thought at first my pads were sticking but when I removed them the disc still did not spin. Expected a big fight with the castellated nut but it came undone with my fingers. When the disc came off out came a lot of what I would call swarf. Bearing was a mess. Separated all joints bar the one on the steering - gave up moving it in the end and used the angle grinder. WD40 applied and try again tomorrow. Hope that the thread does not go into the end - it says it is just a bolt and there is nothing on the bottom - like a coach bolt. Threaded on the top with a nut - well at least it was until I got angry with it. I think the hub will be shagged and maybe cv joint as well. Spent about 2 hours on it today. Note to self.
Must get a modern car!