12 and 6 o'clock and 3 and 9 o'clock, on wheel checks Options

[6G96GT]

Guys, I know one of these is for tie-rods and one's for ball joints when checking the wheels on a jack, but which one is which?

Question 2) I noticed when I'm driving close to trees along the road or a guardrail, I can hear my car making a whistle sound on the pass. side (sounds a little like squeaky brakes), but all brakes were replace 3 weeks ago. No coolant loss and I don't "think" the belts are causing the noise...any ideas?

[6GenCelicaST]

could possibly be a wheel bearing, if it makes a whistling noise.

[6G96GT]

I just had that done too right before I had the brakes done, last time it was a wheel bearing it made a grinding noise too.

[SteveHall]

How many miles have you done on your new brakes?

You can check if it's your belts by removing them (Or just the alternator belt in some cars, I think, including the 7A-FE), starting the enigne with the bonnet open and see if you've solved the noise. Obviously without the alternator connected you'll discharge your battery if you keep running the engine, but you'll be fine doing this as a diagnostic check.

This post has been edited by SteveHall: Apr 17, 2008 - 10:07 AM

[nightryder]

does it make the noise when you are idling? or just when you are driving? when you rev the engine?

[alltracman78]

^
Finding out when it does it helps a LOT.
If it does it when your sitting still it's in the engine.
If when your moving, see if it's RPM dependant. If so, it's probably something in the engine, if not, chassis.

Even brand new brakes can make noise, it all depends on quality of parts and installation.

[6G96GT]

It only happens when I'm driving, it stay constant at any speed. When at idle it just purrs. Brakes were done like 3 weeks ago or 1500 miles ago. Doesn't seem rpm dependant but very annoying. If it were a belt, wouldn't it chirp during idle? And a wheel bearing...how do I check for that? I guess it could be the brakes but I don't know.

[Bitter]

probably just the new pads dragging lightly against the rotors. that can sound like a light whistling sound.

[6gsillyca]

do your brakes squeal at all?

[Batman722]

make sure the dust shield at the very bottom is not touching the rotor, there is only a few mm clearance there and could be making that noise, I know it's happen to me

[SteveHall]

Unlikely to be the pads after 1,500miles unless that was entirely on clear motorways with little breaking.

You can play about with listening to the front wheel bearings by securing the rear wheels, jacking up the front of the car and putting it on axil stands. Drive the wheels (Do not steer) and listen. I've spun the wheels up to 130mph without feeling like the car will fall of the stands, but for my own peace of mind, do this at your own risk, and if it falls of the stands or you burn your ear on a spinning wheel I didn't tell you to do it.

[6G96GT]

no I drive all over the place...I checked it again today while driving...it kinda sounds more like small jingle bells off and on...and when I brake, it doesn't go away. I will check the dust boot asap.

I might try jacking up the front end like you said but I don't think I'll be going past 35 mph since it happens at around that speed (that I've noticed).

[Bitter]

ah the jingle bell sound, i get that too. i suspect it to be the little castle washer on the end of the axle nut jingling around, but i'd love to know for sure what the sound is. i notice it sometimes too.

[6G96GT]

Well, it aint the dust boot. I still can't figure out what it is...the wheel bearing looks fine, all the suspension components look fine as well as the brakes and its components. Could it be an exhaust issue?

[6G96GT]

If I have to replace the wheel bearing again, what type of job am I looking at here? Tools needed? Skill level? I'm just going to do it myself.

This post has been edited by 6G96GT: Apr 22, 2008 - 7:27 PM

[SteveHall]

Rear wheel bearing = Piss easy
Front wheel bearing - Havn't done it myself, but a lot harder than the front.

[6G96GT]

FOUND THE PROBLEM - It was in fact the axel nut at the end of the axel on my pass-side wheel. The cotter pin was bouncing around and causing the noise. My buddy and I raised that tire up off the ground, let the clutch out slowly and it was jingling when the tire spun. When we removed the rim cap, it was definitely that spot. We took pliers and pinched the pin to tighten it up and problem solved! Thanks for the info Bitter!

This post has been edited by 6G96GT: May 3, 2008 - 7:50 PM