What the hell...daily driver tech question...

**Mr. Luos** · 11-25-2009, 04:42 PM

Not sure if I should put this in the regular tech section as it doesn't pertain to an LSx car.

Anyways, my 2001 Grand Am GT is eating up front passenger side wheel bearings. So far, the factory one, one aftermarket one, and the one that is currently on there is starting to growl a little bit.
Anyone know of a reason it would be going through them so quickly? Seems like 3-4 months and it is toast. I know they are installed correctly and torqued correctly.

3400 V6 with a piece of shit 4 speed automatic.

**cammed goat** · 11-25-2009, 04:44 PM

I am wondering if the hub is for the wrong model, such as a base model?

**Mr. Luos** · 11-25-2009, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

I am wondering if the hub is for the wrong model, such as a base model?

Everything I saw....they are the same regardless of model.

**cammed goat** · 11-25-2009, 04:50 PM

This is odd Luos. Is there play in that hub? Looseness?

**Mr. Luos** · 11-25-2009, 04:52 PM

Nope.

Only thing I know I have an issue with a tie rod end going. Don't think that is related though.

**cammed goat** · 11-25-2009, 04:54 PM

Have you checked for a sticking passenger front brake caliper?

**Smkn_TA** · 11-25-2009, 04:55 PM

Is it far out of alignment?

**pajeff02** · 11-25-2009, 04:56 PM

Did some searching and found references to the bearings being "poorly sealed" and therefore subject to water infiltration. Guess the Grand Ma can only come out to play on dry days.

**cammed goat** · 11-25-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Did some searching and found references to the bearings being "poorly sealed" and therefore subject to water infiltration. Guess the Grand Ma can only come out to play on dry days.

So I am wondering if it is a bad rubber gasket or the knuckle surface isn't smooth? I know on my old Beretta there was an O-ring on the back of the hub/bearing.

**86 IROC-Z** · 11-25-2009, 05:04 PM

**cammed goat** · 11-25-2009, 05:05 PM

**Mr. Luos** · 11-25-2009, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Did some searching and found references to the bearings being "poorly sealed" and therefore subject to water infiltration. Guess the Grand Ma can only come out to play on dry days.

Perfect.
I have the T/A for when it rains/snows...

Alignment is pretty close, but it may be off a little bit.
Caliper is fine as of 6 months ago, and it isn't locked onto the rotor as of a month ago.

**0rion** · 11-25-2009, 07:10 PM

does that car have bearings you can replace or do you have to do the whole hub assembly?

**Mr. Luos** · 11-25-2009, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

does that car have bearings you can replace or do you have to do the whole hub assembly?

Whole hub.

**310stanger** · 11-25-2009, 07:27 PM

Check for a bent axle.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 11-25-2009, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by 86 IROC-Z

**twozs** · 11-26-2009, 04:45 AM

i have a 99 gt and im on my second

**Smittro** · 11-26-2009, 06:40 AM

More likely to be an outboard CV joint issue coupled with the tie rod issue.. 4t60e and 4t65e is also notoriuos for trying to spit out axles too.. Which tie rod end is bad? inner or outer both? Bad tie rods can let the wheel hub turn out to far causing the out board CVJ to slightly bind durring turns which puts excessive stress on the hub bearing/s. So can overly worn struts, and ball joints.. The rumble can also be a sign of heavily worn and/or dry or nearly dry CVJ. Warped rotors can cause axle/bearing issues aswell.. Mostly sounds like the whole front end is shot to be honest with ya. That's the thing about puller cars, once one area in the drive trane starts to wear out, it begins to trickle down to others areas and componets.. Just be glad it's not powered by the TDC or you'd already be walkin'..lol

**Mieux97** · 11-26-2009, 06:44 AM

Yikes...I haven't had that issue with mt G/A yet.

**Smittro** · 11-26-2009, 06:53 AM

In my oppy the far better trany that GM should have used was the 4t80e. It's huge but very stout. It was bolted to caddy v8, and will except any of the 60*v6 engines in GM lineup..