Stabilizer bar help?

[SalvationArmyRangr]

I just bought an 87 civic for $500. Everything runs really well except there's a loud vibration type noise from the front right wheel well. THis loud noise gets even louder while turning one specific way (i think left). The guys I bought it from seemed very honest and said that he got it looked at and they told him it was that stabilizer bar that needed replaced. I have two questions:

1. How likely do you think it is that it is the stabilizer bar?
2. Given that it is that stabilizer bar, how difficult and how long would it be to replace it by myself with limited experience?

thanks for all the help,
SAR

[FourthGenHatch]

I don't know about 87s, but on an EF I can't even think of anything called a Stabalizer bar except for the thing on the shift linkage, but that doesn't make a sound. I think they just made it up. What kind of sound is this? Like a creaking/clicking sound, or more of a mechanical sound?

[IM4U2NV81]

definitely wheel bearing. Turning one way makes it louder because it is under load. I bet if you turn the other way, it gets a lil quieter? Check the wheel bearing. I know on EF's it has the be pressed out and pressed back in. good luck.

[4-Door Flunky]

Hey, UhaveanSTD-
I respectfully disagree with your diagnosis. When a wheel bearing is going bad, it makes a whoom, whoom,whoom,whm-whm-whm noise, and it gets louder and higher in pitch as you go faster.
And it's LOUD! The kind of loud that makes a new passenger ask, "WTF is THAT? Are we going to die?"
You can make it like that for a long time. A buddy of mine drove his CRX like that for a year.
I agree, there's nothing resembling a 'stabilizer bar', so it must be something else, something which moves from side to side as the wheel is turned.
I'd say, put the front of the car up on jack stands, get underneath, and have someone turn the steering wheel from side to side. It should be obvious when something rubs.
Flunky
PS-I don't recommend having the engine running during this process.

[SalvationArmyRangr]

Ok, I put the front of the car on stands and realized that the front right outer tie rod was bad. Luckily it was very easy to replace. I was pretty happy with myself...and then after finishing the install I took it for a test drive. Same sound. I have a mechanic friend who swore that that would take care of it. He didn't think it was the bearings, but said that he couldn't really tell what it was without putting it on a lift and running it.

The sound is like a really loud hum (not a clicking) that does get higher in pitch the faster the car goes.

So if I figure out it is the bearings how dificult is it to do? and how much would it cost?

thanks for the replies,
SAR

[FourthGenHatch]

Check the boots for tha axels, vibration and sounds when turning are usually the axel.