Wheel bearing issue?

by "Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
Published 03/25/2017 at 11:57

Tags: Sx4 halp
STARS: 0

So the SX4 is having an annoying issue. When you turn about half a rotation to the left, a horrible metal sound comes from the front right. It sounds like metal is scratching against metal and is x1000000000 times WORSE when it’s cold out.

Anybody have any ideas? The brakes are not causing it (according to my mechanically inclined friends).

Help me Oppo, you’re my only hope

Replies (8)

"Wacko" (wacko--)
03/25/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 1

Jack it up and turn by hand

Is the wheel loose?

I only had problems with the rear bearings on my SX4

"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
03/25/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 1

In my experience with bad bearings, you can usually tell by jacking it up and pushing against the tire and seeing if there’s any play.

I had a similar problem with my Town Car. Screeching noise when turning, way worse in the cold, went away in the rain. I think it was either a bad ball joint or bushing, but it was so long ago I can’t recall.

"TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts." (thebloody)
03/25/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 1

I think the problem is your spinning the wheels on a Defender and not your SX4... XD

On the wheel you think is bad jack it up and try move it towards you and away from you; as in put your hand on the top of the wheel and bottom of the wheel the wiggle it back and forth. If the bearing is shot there should be some play in the wheel.

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
03/25/2017 at 12:30, STARS: 1

Could be the brakes. Tucker makes a metal scraping sound when turning left, been doing it since new. That wonderful DaimlerChrysler quality. :) I reduced the noise by going with ceramic pads.

For you, I’d wager it could be the early signs of a bad bearing. I’d do what the other folks suggested. Jack the car up and see if any of the wheels have any play!

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
03/25/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0

The wiggle test everyone is taking about can give you false positives if there is play in ball joints, tie rod ends, or bushings.

Does it happen when stationary or does the car have to be moving? If it’s stationary my bet is lower ball joint.

"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
03/25/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 1

I think I know the root issue:

"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
03/25/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0

Moving only

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
03/25/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 1

Then brakes or wheel bearing, potentially axle (but very unlikely)