2000 GT wheel bearing i think

[00GT]

2000 GT, 3.8L, 86K.

I have a clicking noise coming from the front right tire. Doesnt change on turning right or left. Usually happens when going straight ahead and only at very slow speeds (5-10 mph). Frequency of the clicking increases with speed. Sometimes the I dont hear the sound for several weeks, but then it comes back. Sound like a wheel bearing?

[BNaylor]

It is not the wheel bearing itself but the part that drives the wheel sensor within the hub/bearing assembly.

Either way sounds like you need a hub. Rich will give you a good deal on OEM AC Delco hubs.

See pic below of backside of hub:

[00GT]

Thanks for the pic bnaylor! I want to fix this myself. Anything I need to keep in mind while working on this?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by 00GT

Thanks for the pic bnaylor! I want to fix this myself. Anything I need to keep in mind while working on this?

Not really. Hopefully no part is so far gone that needs replacement. Just the same principles apply for removing and installing a hub. Possibly a hub puller if you can't get the hub off the spindle, especially so since you are trying the salvage the existing hub, torque wrench (151 - 184 ft-lbs needed on axle nut) and a 36mm axle nut socket plus breaker bar. Also get some good quality waterproof bearing grease. Good luck!

[richtazz]

Hey 00GT. I work for an AC-Delco distributor in Flint, MI and can sell you the hubs for $151 each. Shipping would be around $10 for 1, or $18 for two. If you're interested, PM me with your zip code, and I can give you an exact shipping quote and approximate delivery time. If you decide to go with aftermarket brand hubs, avoid any made overseas, regardless of brand name. Chinese hubs that contain ABS sensors are notoriously problematic, and I wouldn't use them.

[radeck]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Hey 00GT. I work for an AC-Delco distributor in Flint, MI and can sell you the hubs for $151 each. Shipping would be around $10 for 1, or $18 for two. If you're interested, PM me with your zip code, and I can give you an exact shipping quote and approximate delivery time. If you decide to go with aftermarket brand hubs, avoid any made overseas, regardless of brand name. Chinese hubs that contain ABS sensors are notoriously problematic, and I wouldn't use them.

Oh man, where were you when I needed hubs??? AC Delco for $150!!! That's the price you have to pay for chinese at the store. 00 GT Go with delco!

[wlkjr]

I got mine from Rich and it was about a 3 hour job for me and I'm no whizz. I did break some quality sockets so make sure you have a couple extra 13 and 15mm sockets. I used a 2 jaw puller to remove the hub and it came off rather easily. I saved over $400 from what the dealer quoted me two years ago.

[00GT]

Rich definitely has a good deal. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and change both front hubs even though only the right one is making the noise right now. wlkjr, did it take you 3 hours to do both?

[00GT]

Also, do I need to get an alignment done after the fix? Or should I be fine.

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by 00GT

Rich definitely has a good deal. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and change both front hubs even though only the right one is making the noise right now. wlkjr, did it take you 3 hours to do both?

I did both at the same time because mine had never been done before and at my mileage I knew both needed it and I couldn't tell which one was doing the roaring. I didn't do any alignment and can't tell any difference. It sure does make a difference how the behaves. With the old ones off I couldn't tell which one was the bad one because neither had loose play or was tight feeling like it was frozen. It's a little aggravating to get them off because of the tight space and working from behind the bearing but overall it's not a horrible job. The bolts on mine were extremely tight so I used a pipe over the end of the ratchet for extra torque for removal. Guess that's why I broke 3 sockets. With help you can probably do it under 3 hours. I would definitely recommend the AC Delcos.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wlkjr

I did both at the same time because mine had never been done before and at my mileage I knew both needed it and I couldn't tell which one was doing the roaring. I didn't do any alignment and can't tell any difference. It sure does make a difference how the behaves. With the old ones off I couldn't tell which one was the bad one because neither had loose play or was tight feeling like it was frozen. It's a little aggravating to get them off because of the tight space and working from behind the bearing but overall it's not a horrible job. The bolts on mine were extremely tight so I used a pipe over the end of the ratchet for extra torque for removal. Guess that's why I broke 3 sockets. With help you can probably do it under 3 hours. I would definitely recommend the AC Delcos.

Out of curiosity how many ft-lbs of torque did you use on the axle nut for the AC Delco hubs?

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Out of curiosity how many ft-lbs of torque did you use on the axle nut for the AC Delco hubs?

I couldn't get that big torque wrench into position to get the hubs back on so I just pulled them down tight with a 3/8 ratchet. Did use the torque wrench on the rest of the job.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wlkjr

I couldn't get that big torque wrench into position to get the hubs back on so I just pulled them down tight with a 3/8 ratchet. Did use the torque wrench on the rest of the job.

60 ft-lbs is specifed for the hub bolts but that is hard to do.

I was referring to the axle shaft nut. I've seen two figures floating around in the service manuals. 151 ft-lbs and 184 ft-lbs with note 1 which specifies new axle nut. I used a new axle but split the baby at 160 ft-lbs. I checked around locally and I got different answers. Some sounded way out in left field. No problems noted so far. Been installed for over two years now.

Of course this is applicable only to the AC Delco or OEM hubs. Supposedly on aftermarket hubs the manufacturer specifies the torque value.

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

60 ft-lbs is specifed for the hub bolts but that is hard to do.

I was referring to the axle shaft nut. I've seen two figures floating around in the service manuals. 151 ft-lbs and 184 ft-lbs with note 1 which specifies new axle nut. I used a new axle but split the baby at 160 ft-lbs. I checked around locally and I got different answers. Some sounded way out in left field. No problems noted so far. Been installed for over two years now.

Of course this is applicable only to the AC Delco or OEM hubs. Supposedly on aftermarket hubs the manufacturer specifies the torque value.

I couldn't find any new axle nuts without ordering them so I just reused the old ones. We torqued them at about 150 lbs. I had printed out a copy of a thread that had all the torque values in it and that is what I went by. First torque wrench I bought I couldn't get it to click even at the lowest setting so I returned it and got another one which worked ok. Did make me wonder how accurate these things are.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wlkjr

I couldn't find any new axle nuts without ordering them so I just reused the old ones. We torqued them at about 150 lbs. I had printed out a copy of a thread that had all the torque values in it and that is what I went by. First torque wrench I bought I couldn't get it to click even at the lowest setting so I returned it and got another one which worked ok. Did make me wonder how accurate these things are.

I think you are good to go. I'm not about the mess with mine. Yeah, its funny how we are faced with these type problems when doing DIY work and yet it all comes out in the laundry. Murphy's law: What can go wrong will go wrong.