Equinox This SUV offers a smaller, sportier stance than the Trailblazer, all without compromising the SUV abilities.

Chevrolet Equinox
Platform: Theta

Front Wheel Bearings

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old August 8th, 2013, 9:23 PM
  #1  
CF Beginner
Thread Starter
 
1969C20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Front Wheel Bearings

I hear and feel a whine and vibration in my front end. I took the front wheels off and I can't feel any movement in the hub assembly. But I still think it is a wheel bearing. Can they still be bad even if you don't have any play. If not could it be a bad CV joint. And could you replace them with a wheel bearing that doesn't have the abs sensor. I have never liked abs brakes and the wheel bearing hub without abs is considerable cheaper. I'm really concerned about the traction control because it's on the same wiring harness. Thanks
Old August 9th, 2013, 9:08 AM
  #2  
CF Pro Member
 
ruley73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 968
Received 76 Likes on 71 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 1969C20
I hear and feel a whine and vibration in my front end. I took the front wheels off and I can't feel any movement in the hub assembly. But I still think it is a wheel bearing. Can they still be bad even if you don't have any play.
Yes, and on newer vehicles this happens quite often: there is noise but no noticeable play.

Originally Posted by 1969C20
If not could it be a bad CV joint.
It is possible, but a bad wheel bearing is much more likely.

Originally Posted by 1969C20
And could you replace them with a wheel bearing that doesn't have the abs sensor. I have never liked abs brakes and the wheel bearing hub without abs is considerable cheaper. I'm really concerned about the traction control because it's on the same wiring harness. Thanks
Not all of the bearings come with a new sensor, so yes you could. However, your traction control and Stabili-Trak (if equipped) both use the ABS system to operate. So all of these features would be disabled if an ABS system fault is detected (such as a bad/missing/disconnected wheel speed sensor), and your dash will be lit up like a Christmas tree. I would suggest buying the Moog/National bearing that comes with the new sensor because there is a good chance you will damage the old sensor when removing it from the old bearing; especially if you live in the salt belt.

Last edited by ruley73; August 9th, 2013 at 9:25 AM.
Old June 2nd, 2015, 11:58 PM
  #3  
CF Junior Member
 
srp204's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: saskatchewan
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default front wheel bearing

You can buy a new front wheel bearing for $50 and do it in an hour. DO NOT go to a dealer, they charged me $256.00 for the same part then another $150 labour. It was the kids car and she was at school 500 miles away. But running with the abs disconnected, is just annoying, it is easier to concede defeat, and compared to the airbag , well that is another kettle of fish
BTW you will hears guys whine about oh it's not as good as the factory bearing, so what $50 and an hour every 2 years ain't a big problem.

Last edited by srp204; June 3rd, 2015 at 12:01 AM.
Old December 23rd, 2015, 11:12 AM
  #4  
CF Active Member
 
silverado 1500 2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 118
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

no. get a helper. lift car off ground. have helper wiggle tire side-side up-down etc. set parking break if not on "real lift"

feel with hand where play is. steering rods? ball joint (may need pry-bar), bearing (you can SEE wheel move but nothing else will)

rotat tire freely. most bad bearing have a noise

perhaps dont go to dealer. just remember not to rush, and to google all "tricks", because if you damage (ie, the axle) your blowing your budget way otu the door and getting nothign for xmas
Old December 24th, 2015, 12:13 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
cleveland63b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: nebraska
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

leave the tire on and check the hub again, the bearing has to be pretty trashed to feel any play by hand with the tire off, looks like the other guys covered most of what you should need to know
Old December 28th, 2015, 9:01 PM
  #6  
CF Active Member
 
bearbait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: New Lenox ,IL. Eagle River, AK
Posts: 146
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Take a ride on hiway for 1/2 hr. Pull off and go around the car and feel the wheels. If 1 is hotter than the others,could be bearing. Check same wheel when getting home. Jack up wheel and spin by hand. If it spins freely,probably not brake problem but bearing going bad. Hope this helps.
Old December 29th, 2015, 9:04 AM
  #7  
CF Junior Member
 
srp204's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: saskatchewan
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Instead of feeling the heat, get yourself one of those infrared temperature scanners. They are about $20 and you can find dozens of uses for it
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Wolverine41086
Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups
4
March 11th, 2012 7:36 PM
Traidr977
Express & G-Series Vans
1
December 15th, 2010 9:40 AM
hairball
Monte Carlo & Lumina
2
July 24th, 2008 4:58 AM
brewsterbaker
Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups
5
May 24th, 2008 2:03 PM
ag90fox
Silverado & Fullsize Pick-ups
1
March 27th, 2008 12:31 PM



Quick Reply: Front Wheel Bearings



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 1:32 PM.