[Vwdiesel] Advice needed on left front wheel issues

[brian gochnauer]

That reminds of the time I towed a car in that had been going down the
interstate and lost a front wheel (rear wheel drive) because the bearing had
eaten though the front axle shaft and released the wheel. Owner says "Yeah
is was making some noises, but only when I turned corners"  :)

On 8/13/09, Bryan Belman <dieselwesty at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Thank you ALL, great advise and THAT is why WE stay here, right!
>
> James, I do get a bad tie rod wobble at times as well, great point.
>
> I will do the entire front hub swap from The Parts Place then and most
> likely just replace the boots on my original axle, as the CV joint only
> makes noise if I am turning really sharply.
>
> Now to find the time and get the Westy back on the road and out of the
> garage.  Now that this 92 Jetta should not be driven unless needed, that
> will fuel me up to get the van back in action and get this one in there to
> takes it place in the garage.
> Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
> 04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :)
> 92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel -- running :)
> 82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- Not running :(
> 70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :(
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: James Hansen <jhsg at sasktel.net>
> To: Bryan Belman <dieselwesty at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:37:05 AM
> Subject: RE: [Vwdiesel] Advice needed on left front wheel issues
>
> Usually, play as you describe is wheel bearing related, as long as the nut
> is tight on the cv splined shaft that goes through the hub.  If the nut
> isn't tight, the bearings are shot anyway.  They are two angular contact
> bearings that need preload to stay in place, otherwise if no preload, they
> get damaged.  Bad wheel bearings can be surprisingly quiet.  I though I had
> a bad tierod on my 97 golf td.  Turns out the wheel was wobbling so bad,
> the
> car handled like a bad tierod with lots of play. No noise whatsoever.
> Bearing was practically scrap. Learned a lesson to not be so tolerant of a
> handling issue, and to look, actually look at it.
> -j
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com]
> > On Behalf Of Bryan Belman
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:06 AM
> > To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > Subject: [Vwdiesel] Advice needed on left front wheel issues
> >
> > 92 A2 Jetta, 215K, both front wheel bearings were replaced about 35K
> > ago.
> >
> > I finally got time to do the test suggested to help pin point
> > the growling wheel sound I am hearing the loudest at 45mph.
> > I jacked up the front wheels, 1 at a time, get her up to 45mph and
> > killed the motor to let it spin down.  My wife was in the car and I was
> > at the wheel listening.
> > Here is what I found.
> >
> > The left front does have more sound to it, but not much more then right
> > side.
> >
> > 1.  But, the left front wheel has a good bit of play in and out, as if
> > the splin nut is not on tight enough.
> > 2.  The wheel almost seemed to wobble as it was spinning up in the air
> > so there are issues on this side for sure.
> > 3.  In addition, the short axle seems original and should be replaced
> > as both boots have cracks, some leakage of greese and I do hear a bad
> > CV joint noise when I really turn sharply and moving slow, so must be
> > this side.  I replace the long axle about 20K ago as it has split boots
> > and I figued that was the side the noise was coming from, but it was
> > not.
> > 4.  The pinion oil flange on the left side is leaking pretty good and
> > needs replaced again, it was replace about 30K ago.
> > 5.  I have a new strutt for this side and upper mounting bushings, so
> > can put them in when I do all of this.
> >
> >
> > So, what to buy when ordering from Autohaus, AZ.
> > Short Axle and core charge until I return mine.  Oh, looks like they do
> > not offer this, I can get this local.
> > Wheel bearing kit with all the clips and Axle spline nut, $35, you can
> > go wrong here.  I can return if mine is OK.
> > Pinion oil seal, but they say this is for Automatic Trans only, I have
> > 5 sp.
> > Differential Bearing, this is for the transmission side?
> >
> > I am not convinced the wheel bearing is bad, much of my transmission
> > noise is most likely becuase my transmission oil level is most likely
> > low from the leaking pinion oil seal.
> >
> > What is the best way to approach this job?  I hope to work with a
> > friend in his shop to do the work, but would like to get it all done in
> > a saturday afternoon, which is possible if the wheel bearing does not
> > have to be pressed out.
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
> > 04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :)
> > 92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel -- running :)
> > 82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- Not running :(
> > 70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :(
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
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