Wheel bearing buzzing

I just took my car into the local Firestone branch to get a tire pathced, have the alignment straightened out, and have the brakes checked. I also had an oil change done. The brakes checked out ok (only 30% worn after more than 4 years and 53,000 miles), but they did say that there was a lot of brake dust buildup in the rear brakes, so they cleaned them out.

When I was driving home after, I noticed a buzzing coming from the rear driver side wheel that increased in pitch as the car sped up. I took it back into Firestone today, and they said it sounds like a wheel bearing is going in the wheel assembly, but that it couldn't have been anything they did, since they bearings are in a sealed assembly, and they didn't do anything to that assembly - just took the wheel off, and cleaned the brakes out.

So three questions, 1- could they have possibly done anything to the wheel assembly? I wasn't hearing the sound before I brought the car in. 2- is having the bearing assembly repaired a warantee replair, and if not, is it expensive? 3- is there actually any point in having the brake dust cleaned out, or is that just something else to charge the clueless people (me)?

Thanks again,
Mike Ryan

So three questions, 1- could they have possibly done anything to the wheel assembly? I wasn't hearing the sound before I brought the car in. 2- is having the bearing assembly repaired a warantee replair, and if not, is it expensive? 3- is there actually any point in having the brake dust cleaned out, or is that just something else to charge the clueless people (me)?

Ryan,

Answers to your questions...

1. They really couldn't have touched the wheel bearing unless they did pretty much a dissassembly of that side of the axle. To clean out the brake dust doesn't include anything involving the wheel bearing. I hope that makes sense. Maybe you can locate a parts diagram blowup to get a better picture how everything is put together.

2. You should probably call the dealership and inquire with them. If it's not covered under warranty, then yes it is an expensive repair. It would run you somewhere in the ballpark of $300 and that's mostly labor cost. You can purchase all the parts you need and do it at home if you have a press to press everything together.

3. No and yes. There is a very simple way to clean the brake dust out. Every time you wash your car run the water through the holes in your rim. Do it on the front and get on and around the caliper thoroughly and do the same with the rear drums. This washes all of the brake dust out. Just keep in mind that when you spray out the front brakes they will be wet and yo should wait for them to dry before immediately getting into the car and driving. Or at least know that you'll need to increase your braking distance.

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it.

One final question - if the bearings are going, is it OK to drive on it for the short term future, or do I need to bring it in to get fixed now?

Thanks again,
Mike Ryan

Well, I'm not going to tell you to drive on it for obvious safety reasons etc.

However wheel bearings can be driven on for a little while before absolutely needing replacement. Once you hear the cracking noise it's time to get it replaced immediately but I would say you're probably milk i for a few months. Again I wouldn't push it and if you get afford it I would get it replaced as soon as feasably possible.

Makes sense. I'm going to try to take it in this Saturday to the dealer.

Thanks again for the info. You've been a big help.
Mike Ryan

First, is your rear brake drum or disc? I'm not sure if this is really a wheel bearing problem. Maybe it only because of some rust on the edge of the drum. A little rust will make that noise. So you'd better check it again. By the way, using water can only sweep out the rust out of the drum. You have to take out the drum and use brake cleaner to clean rust inside drum. Good luck.

By the way, using water can only sweep out the rust out of the drum. You have to take out the drum and use brake cleaner to clean rust inside drum. Good luck.

Yes this is true but that maintenance should be happeneing when he has his brakes changed anyway. Washing down the brakes will be sufficient. The only time he may want to consider doing it in between scheduled services is during the winter if he's somewhere it snows/rains a lot. Anything other than that I won't say is a waste, but it's not really needed.