2002 Protege Vibration

[Coastie John]

I did a search and didn't see anything like this. Here's the particulars. It's a 2002 ES with 80K miles and auto tranny. Within the last couple of months a vibration has started out of the left front wheel area. It is noticable when making right turns. When making high speed gradual right turns it is really noticable. The tires have 14K on them and I had an alignment done at that time. I have changed the suspect tire, rotated tires, did the brakes and new rotors all around last night. I had the car on jackstands and ran it. I couldn't see or feel anything with the weight off the front end.
After doing the trouble shooting work, I am thinking I have a problem in the axle shaft/CV joint area on the left side. My Mazda 626 axleshafts had to be replaced a few months back. They had 79K on them.

Has anyone had CV or axleshaft vibe problems with their Protege? Any other ideas?

Thanks....John

[82Stang]

How about the left front wheel bearing.

[Coastie John]

That's possible. I've never pulled an axle shaft so I don't know if wheel bearings are built into it or seperate.

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Coastie John

That's possible. I've never pulled an axle shaft so I don't know if wheel bearings are built into it or seperate.

It's not a super hard job, but one way to check is this.

1) jack up the front end

2) position steering wheel straight ahead

3) grab tire with hands on both sides. at 3 and 9 o'clock

4) try to shimmy the wheel in and out as if you werre turning the wheel but not that far. Just a shimmy to feel the play.

5) position hands at 12 and 6 o'clock and do the same as #4.

Typically, left to right looseness can be related to worn tie rods. And up and down excessive play can be related to worn ball joints. If both are present, then it is more likely the wheel bearing is worn.

Some wheel bearing hub assembly are bolted in, while others are pressed in.

[Coastie John]

I checked the wheel that way and really couldn't tell anything. While it is jacked up you can also take a 2x4, put it under the tire and check for play in the suspension that way too.

I have the car in the shop right now. We'll see what they find.

[mrmikey]

Try a slow (idle) speed turn with the wheel hard to lock each way and listen for a clicking or grinding sound. Sounds like a cv joint to me.....Mike

[Coastie John]

Ok....it was the sealed wheel bearing.

The trans place (AAMCO) had it for a few days trying to isolate it. Turns out it was the left front wheel bearing. I had both replaced.

When driving it you'd swear it was a out of balance tire but it wasn't. I noticed it mostly in making sweeping right turns above 40mph. At the 60-70mph range you could really feel it thru the steering wheel and floor board while making sweeping right turns.

I'm speculating what caused it.....this is my commuter car and I run 50 miles a day. I had the tire pressure too high and hit a few metal ridges at two overpasses each day going home (sweeping right turns I might add). After doing this for a few years it might have started to pound the bearing and galling started to take place.

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Coastie John

Ok....it was the sealed wheel bearing.

The trans place (AAMCO) had it for a few days trying to isolate it. Turns out it was the left front wheel bearing. I had both replaced.

When driving it you'd swear it was a out of balance tire but it wasn't. I noticed it mostly in making sweeping right turns above 40mph. At the 60-70mph range you could really feel it thru the steering wheel and floor board while making sweeping right turns.

I'm speculating what caused it.....this is my commuter car and I run 50 miles a day. I had the tire pressure too high and hit a few metal ridges at two overpasses each day going home (sweeping right turns I might add). After doing this for a few years it might have started to pound the bearing and galling started to take place.

Glad you got it.

Some bearings last longer than others. Just the luck of the draw.

[Coastie John]

Well, if you read the thread this far, you'll see back in 2008 I had the front wheel bearings replaced to fix a vib problem. A year and a half later/20K later and now I have a steady hum coming from the left front wheel. I rotated tires yesterday just to make sure it wasn't the tire wear causing it. When driving down the road you can hear and feel a slight hum/vibe. Turn the whell slightly and it goes away only to return when the wheel comes back straight. I suspect another wheel bearing change is in order.

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Coastie John

Well, if you read the thread this far, you'll see back in 2008 I had the front wheel bearings replaced to fix a vib problem. A year and a half later/20K later and now I have a steady hum coming from the left front wheel. I rotated tires yesterday just to make sure it wasn't the tire wear causing it. When driving down the road you can hear and feel a slight hum/vibe. Turn the whell slightly and it goes away only to return when the wheel comes back straight. I suspect another wheel bearing change is in order.

Yes, it sounds like it went bad again. You might try going exactly by the specs of tightening the hub bolts and big center axle bolt. Sometimes the big axle bolt gets overtightened and this can lead to premature wear of the hub. And thoroughly check the suspension and axle.

[Coastie John]

Originally Posted by 82Stang

Yes, it sounds like it went bad again. You might try going exactly by the specs of tightening the hub bolts and big center axle bolt. Sometimes the big axle bolt gets overtightened and this can lead to premature wear of the hub. And thoroughly check the suspension and axle.

I had Ammco Trans install the last ones. I just went and bought some new bearings while I was out getting some new pads and rotors for the Windstar. The local tire place wants $280 to install them. Their shop rate is over $100 per hour!!! Geez!!! I've done many a bearings before but not these types. I have a manual somewhere so I might check that out and see what the deal is. Any advice?

Thanks...John

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Coastie John

I had Ammco Trans install the last ones. I just went and bought some new bearings while I was out getting some new pads and rotors for the Windstar. The local tire place wants $280 to install them. Their shop rate is over $100 per hour!!! Geez!!! I've done many a bearings before but not these types. I have a manual somewhere so I might check that out and see what the deal is. Any advice?

Thanks...John

Make sure to clean the inner circle of the spindle well, before installing the new hub. Use sandpaper etc. Install the hub bolts and axle bolt to manufacturer's specs. That part is very important as overtightening of the axle bolt can lead to premature wear of the bearing. Make sure the rest of the suspension around that area is good and tight. Tie rods, ball joints, axleshafts, sway bars, struts etc.

[Coastie John]

Originally Posted by 82Stang

Make sure to clean the inner circle of the spindle well, before installing the new hub. Use sandpaper etc. Install the hub bolts and axle bolt to manufacturer's specs. That part is very important as overtightening of the axle bolt can lead to premature wear of the bearing. Make sure the rest of the suspension around that area is good and tight. Tie rods, ball joints, axleshafts, sway bars, struts etc.

OK. I thought I had the stupid manual!! What's the torque on the bolts and nut? What size is the nut?

Thanks....John

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Coastie John

OK. I thought I had the stupid manual!! What's the torque on the bolts and nut? What size is the nut?

Thanks....John

I think it may be:

axle nut - 32MM torque to @120 ft lbs.
I read you should change them everytime you remove them. Shouldn't be much more than 5-10 dollars.

but you can double check by calling the parts store.

[Coastie John]

Originally Posted by 82Stang

I think it may be:

axle nut - 32MM torque to @120 ft lbs.
I read you should change them everytime you remove them. Shouldn't be much more than 5-10 dollars.

but you can double check by calling the parts store.

It is 32mm and in the 150ftlb range. I didn't have a press so I had to take it in. It was indeed the left front wheel bearing again.

To help someone else......after doing some research, I located this thread on another Mazda sight that has plenty of pics and directions on how to do Protege front wheel bearings. The guy that put the thread together did a great job. I suggest you save it for future reference.

http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showt...hp?t=123755284