Front Rubbing Noise

[proudpapa2001]

Hello everyone. This is my first time posting, so I hope I explain my problem correctly. I have a rubbing sound coming from the front of my 99 Protege that I have purchased used. It sounds like a "whirr, whirr, whirr" when I get to about 40 Kms, and continues to be more pronounced the faster I go. Also, when I turn left, it sounds like a loud rubbing, almost like the tires are too big. The front tires are brand new, and there is nothing aftermarket on the vehicle. Any ideas? I have brought it in to the dealership, even for a drive with the mechanic, and they seem to think there is nothing wrong with it. All I know is that it shouldn't make that kind of sound.

Jay

[DiS]

hmmm. Since you said that car is stock, Im assuming that wheels are also stock....What size tires you have? Also it might be warped rotor. How many miles on the car?

[proudpapa2001]

Not sure what size the tires are, but the car has 109K on it. I suppose the noise is more like a heartbeat thump as you drive. I was originally thinking either CV joint or wheel bearing.

Jay

[DiS]

if its a squeeking kinda noise, it might be warped rotor...if its kinda deep rubbing noise, then it might be cv boot

[proudpapa2001]

Brought the car in for a second opinion. They discovered that it is most likely a wheel bearing. I am bringing it to the dealership to have it replaced under warranty. Thanks for the help.

Jay

[DiS]

good thing that they found the problem, and hope thats what it is. Eh, now this will be something to remember if someone else will have same problem (thumb) Hope everything works out in a quickly manner for ya

[proudpapa2001]

You`ll never guess what the problem actually was. It was a bent/warped hub on the front right wheel. The dealership payed for it and I am on my way. I hope to do some mods to it in the future. Thanks for the help!

Jay

[DiS]

You`ll never guess what the problem actually was. It was a bent/warped hub on the front right wheel. The dealership payed for it and I am on my way. I hope to do some mods to it in the future. Thanks for the help!

Jay

good thing that they ACTUALLY found the problem. Good to see you're back on the good track man! Keep us posted with future mods. (thumb)

[BlueNickel]

good thing that they ACTUALLY found the problem. Good to see you're back on the good track man! Keep us posted with future mods. (thumb)

Wheel Bearing Noise - here's a different version of the noise problem:

Brought my '03 Protege ES in to the dealer for rear brake service a couple months ago. Dealer obviously removed and re-installed all wheels as part of the work.

Got it back, and within a week, a drone developed from the wheels. Got a lot worse over the next 2 months (no time to bring it back to the dealer).

Now it's so bad, it sounds like I've got a Cessna on the roof of the car, at any speed above 25 kmph, no matter what road surface type (i.e. not a tire noise problem), no matter if in-gear or not (i.e. not a transmission problem), no matter if accelerating or coasting (i.e. not a driveshaft or CVJ problem).

It sounds like it comes from all the wheels (with all the drumming noise in the car now, it's hard to tell), but may only be one wheel.

A week ago, I tried taking the wheels off myself - and ended up needing a 3/4" drive & Johnson Bar to even get the lug nuts loose. The dealer had run them on with an air wrench - and obviously not a torque wrench.

My gut feel is that the Protege wheel hubs are not sufficiently strong to withstand over-torquing, and deflect/deform once it happens. Lesson: if you hear an anti-friction bearing making any kind noise, the damage has already happened / started - it's already too late - it won't get better, just replace it.

Just booked the dealer for next week - they seemed to know exactly what the problem was (had it happened before ?) - will let you know what they say.

[zoomzoom02]

so...update. what'd they say?