Did I damage my wheel bearing(s)?, or WTH is going on??? Options

[conus00]

Couple days ago I came very close to having accident. Some jerk pulled a U-turn right in front of me and I ended up hammering my brakes so hard that I locked all four wheels and after maybe 30ft of skidding I stopped couple feet from that a$$hole. I was literally in a cloud of smoke from my tires so thick that I couldn't see anything behind me. Normally, I assume, that wheel/suspension components should be able to handle that amount of force with stock brake system but I have recently upgraded fronts to Willwood big brake kit and rear to GT disks. I haven't changed hubs or anything. Also, bear in mind, that majority of the components (not counting engine) are, most likely, original and hitting 230,000 miles mark.
That being said after this close call my car developed weird vibrations in front.
To best describe it:
It is not noticeable up until approx 65mph. After I hit that speed the cars has sort of bumpy feeling (like going over a whole bunch of tiny speed bumps). When I get close to 80mph the feeling of vibrations changes to, sort of almost a buzz.
Also I noticed that at the high speeds on highway (around 70-80mph) while turning into long curve (or changing lanes) the vibrations intensify. It's really hard to describe it.

I'm curious what might be causing this and how dangerous it is to drive in such condition. Also I'd like to know if it is in any way related to my near accident experience.

Thanks!

[PolliS_5S-FE]

I wouldnt have thought it would damage your wheel bearings, I didnt have any vibrations when my front passenger side was on it's way out until it got really bad and by that time you could hear it squealing very clearly but still I cant recall any vibrations. It could be alignment? or something has twisted with the force of your braking maybe

[brenton1919]

Couple days ago I came very close to having accident. Some jerk pulled a U-turn right in front of me and I ended up hammering my brakes so hard that I locked all four wheels and after maybe 30ft of skidding I stopped couple feet from that a$$hole. I was literally in a cloud of smoke from my tires so thick that I couldn't see anything behind me. Normally, I assume, that wheel/suspension components should be able to handle that amount of force with stock brake system but I have recently upgraded fronts to Willwood big brake kit and rear to GT disks. I haven't changed hubs or anything. Also, bear in mind, that majority of the components (not counting engine) are, most likely, original and hitting 230,000 miles mark.
That being said after this close call my car developed weird vibrations in front.
To best describe it:
It is not noticeable up until approx 65mph. After I hit that speed the cars has sort of bumpy feeling (like going over a whole bunch of tiny speed bumps). When I get close to 80mph the feeling of vibrations changes to, sort of almost a buzz.
Also I noticed that at the high speeds on highway (around 70-80mph) while turning into long curve (or changing lanes) the vibrations intensify. It's really hard to describe it.

I'm curious what might be causing this and how dangerous it is to drive in such condition. Also I'd like to know if it is in any way related to my near accident experience.

Thanks!

are your axles tight really good. and i would say your wheels maybe need to be balanced again, and it doesn't take much to knock are cars out of alignment might want to check that to. i think if it was your wheel bearing you would hear a grinding noise....anyone else?

This post has been edited by brenton1919: May 9, 2011 - 1:32 AM

[jordisonjr]

Usually when I wheel bearing goes, it will be like a slow, almost knocking sound, and will increase as your speed increases.
Sometimes when its really bad you can feel the knock through the floor.
Its hard to explain on the internet but from my experience with wheel bearings( i've had quite a bit due to faulty bearings) your problem does not sound like a wheel bearing, but I could be wrong.

[mkernz22]

well if your brakes locked up, and you were skidding, and you went 30ft or so, your going to have some decent flat spots on the tires now. you might need an alignment too

This post has been edited by mkernz22: May 8, 2011 - 10:59 PM

[PolliS_5S-FE]

see if theres any play in your wheel.

[easternpiro1]

well if your brakes locked up, and you were skidding, and you went 30ft or so, your going to have some decent flat spots on the tires now. you might need an alignment too

MKERNZ is absolutely right. if you made a 30ft skid, i assume you were going about 40-50mph possibly? in anycase, if you made that much smoke, you DEFINATELY created a flat spot on some tires. wheel bearing is more like a grinding. but your example sounds like you have some tire issues.

also alignment may be in order as previously stated.


what kind of tires? i assume since your car is lowered you have some low profiles on there?

[opie_7afe]

i agree with flatspots my dad had a 95 grand prix gtp he was trying to be cool and locked on ebrake and floored it(was an auto) well next time i drove it felt like i was riding on square tires nearly was so damn bumpy! so yeah id throw some other tires on there man and should be good to go.....sometimes you can see the flatspot if you turn the wheel slowly with it jacked up....good luck and be glad you didnt wreck!

[conus00]

well if your brakes locked up, and you were skidding, and you went 30ft or so, your going to have some decent flat spots on the tires now. you might need an alignment too

MKERNZ is absolutely right. if you made a 30ft skid, i assume you were going about 40-50mph possibly? in anycase, if you made that much smoke, you DEFINATELY created a flat spot on some tires. wheel bearing is more like a grinding. but your example sounds like you have some tire issues.

also alignment may be in order as previously stated.


what kind of tires? i assume since your car is lowered you have some low profiles on there?

Yeah, I was doing about 50 (the speed limit at the area is 45, so I think that sounds about right), I recently have Falken Azenis in front and Toyo Proxes in the back (18/40/225), the car is not lowered but I have replaced the OEM shocks for much stiffer Monroes.

So I can see that general consensus is flat spot on the tire(s). That's good because my fronts will need to be replaced soon anyway. Definitely easier than replacing bearings (but not cheaper).

I have 200 mile drive ahead of me today so I will keep an eye on things and report back. Thanks!

This post has been edited by conus00: May 9, 2011 - 2:57 AM

[Hanyo]

i vote flat spot on tire.

The only reason is because the speed at which the noise begins creeping up.

Locking up your brakes will take a longer distance to stop. With bigger brakes you need to learn to master threshold braking.

[easternpiro1]

hey wanna learn a secret i learned when i first experienced this flat spot phenomenon?




a friend of mine said... "hell matt, u got a 3s now do a burnout to get rid of that flat spot!!"


LO AND BEHOLD.... It worked! lmao (for the front)

[brenton1919]

hey wanna learn a secret i learned when i first experienced this flat spot phenomenon?




a friend of mine said... "hell matt, u got a 3s now do a burnout to get rid of that flat spot!!"


LO AND BEHOLD.... It worked! lmao (for the front)

haha

[mkernz22]

hey wanna learn a secret i learned when i first experienced this flat spot phenomenon?




a friend of mine said... "hell matt, u got a 3s now do a burnout to get rid of that flat spot!!"


LO AND BEHOLD.... It worked! lmao (for the front)

shoulda had awd lmao