Lound growling noise. CV? Wheel Bearing?

[73Midget]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2003 Protege5 2.0 w/110,000 miles that is making some front end noise and I am looking for some advice.

For quite some time now I have been hearing a slight growling noise while driving coming from the right side of that gets worse when I make a left turn. Last week the noise started to get really bad. While driving straight there is a growling noise, even at cursing speed (65+mph), and when I make a left turn it sounds like a helicopter taking off.

At first I thought it was the CV but now I am leaning towards a possible wheel bearing or joint shaft bearing. I already have a replacement CV and it’s easy enough to replace so I figure I’d put it in next weekend.

My question to you is how difficult is it to replace the wheel bearing while I have everything apart? Are any special tools needed? Also, is it possible the joint shaft bearing is bad, how can I tell and where can I find a replacement?

Any tips or diagrams you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[therieldeal]

sounds like a bad CV joint to me...

[Turpro]

Sounds more like the bearing. I'm pretty sure they are pressed into the hub. Take the hub out and bring it down to a machine shop to have the old one pushed out and new pressed in. I'm now 100% on what tools are used for removal because I'm a 1st gen guy. Good luck.

[73Midget]

Thanks for the info so far. Looks like I will try an replace both the CV and wheel bearing.

Another question I have is, what size in the axle nut? I took the nut from the new CV to the autoparts store. 30mm is too small and 32mm is too large. Is it possible it is a 31mm? The only car I know of that uses a 31mm axle nut is a BMW and no one has 31mm.

If anyone has an other tips for me please let me know.

Thanks again,

Greg

[therieldeal]

the axle nuts on all the earlier cars are all 32mm... i'd imagine they kept it the same, but who knows.

[eeterp]

fyi, wheel bearings are pressed in, without proper equipment it's best to get this replaced at a shop

[73Midget]

Thanks everyone. I replaced both my right CV and wheel bearing on Saturday and now all is well, no more noise. I also gave it a tune up and the car runs as if it was new.

The wheel bearing was indeed pressed in but a quick trip to the local machine shop fixed that. It took took all of 10 min to have the old bearing and seal pulled and the new one pressed in.

Next project will be replacing the bearing on the left side before it also goes.

Thanks again,

Greg