Separated Tire Noise That Isn't -- Update

[Dave C.]

Fred,
Thanks for the explanation.

On a related note, I believe the split inner race makes it difficult to
tell which side of the car a bad bearing noise is coming from.  The idea to
watch for noise to increase while going around a turn doesn't seem to work.
 The only sure method I know of to ID a bad bearing is to put the car on a
lift with engine running and wheels turning, then listen to each hub with a
stethoscope ... screwdriver handle pressed against side of head, tip of
screwdriver pressed against the hub.  
---------------
Dave C.

At 12:34 PM 1/25/2004 -0500, Fred Munro wrote:
>Dave;
>
>These wheel bearings have a split inner race and the wheel bolt clamps the
>two halves of the race together. If you move the car with the bolt out, the
>race halves separate and you damage the balls and the races.
>
>HTH
>
>Fred Munro
>'94 S4
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com
>[mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of David Conner
>Sent: January 23, 2004 11:34 AM
>To: Bernie Benz
>Cc: quattro at audifans.com
>Subject: Re: Separated Tire Noise That Isn't -- Update
>
>
>
>>> Tom,
>>> Be aware that the bearing is easily damaged with the axle shaft removed.
>
>Bernie asks....:
>>And just how would that be?
>
>Bernie,
>I don't understand exactly what happens, but I've read plenty of warnings
>not to roll the car with the axle stub removed from the hub cause it will
>crush the bearing.  I assume that with the axle bolted to the hub, force is
>evenly distrubuted over the entire bearing, but with the axle removed the
>force is focused on a single point of the bearing ... "crushing" the
>bearing.
>
>I haven't tested to prove whether it's true WRT rolling the car, but during
>a recent suspension rebuild, when I unbolted a front strut it dropped a few
>inches (maybe six inches) to the concrete floor.  The result seemed to be
>>way< too much play in the hub bearing assembly.  It appeared the bearing
>was damaged by the drop and I replaced it.
>
>Wouldn't dropping the assembly with axle removed be akin to rolling the car
>with axle removed?
>
>  The last thing I'd want would be to spread false rumor so if I have
>something wrong here I hope someone will enlighten me.
> ---------------
>Dave C.
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