Front suspension problem

[jmdearras]

On the way to work, my right front wheel area started making a "scrape, scrape" noise whenever I decelerated or braked. Coasting to a stop did not make the noise. It's not the brakes, because engine deceleration causes it too. I assume the suspension is moving to the rear slightly and maybe making the wheel hit the plastic shield, but I an not certian.

Anyway, I'm at work, and would appreciate any thoughts or ideas. I can get a better look at home tonight, assuming the car gets me there!

Thanks,
Jim

[wytbishop]

Could be a bent dust shield or as bad as a blown wheel bearing. Pull the wheel off and look for anything that is obviously loose. You’re right that the wheel must be moving on deceleration so something is not doing its job. Check that the outer tie rod end is tight. I’ve had the noise you describe. I never figured out exactly what it was but when I took the front end apart and put it all back together it was gone.

[jmdearras]

Looked a bit closer, and rolled it a bit. Starting to look like the wheel bearing. How bad a job is that going to be? I can remove the knuckle and press it out and in, but does it go well, or rough?

Thanks,
Jim

[wytbishop]

The instructions in the online manual are pretty complete. If you’re going to do one, you should do both. If you have a press at your disposal and are handy it’s not too bad. I have not done this car but I bought all the parts and talked to the service guy at my dealership and he told me it was not a bad one.

I could sell you the parts if you’re interested. bearings, seals and clips. I’d have to look at what I paid for them. I went to do mine and found that they were basically like new.

[umcamara]

Strangely, Bishop is right on here (it doesn't happen very often as you'll soon realize). Double check those brake dust shields though, very simple fix to bend them outward if they're scraping against the rotors, it's happened to me before.

[jmdearras]

I'll check the shields, but I'm leaning towards bearings, it has more of a grinding noise with the window open listening to the echo off parked cars. It sorta clunks when you roll the wheel by hand, still on the ground. I'll jack it up when I get home.

I was concerned I had missed something when I assembled it this past weekend. Only 100 miles on it since then. But 5+ years idle before that, and I don't know the condition of the bearing before I started. though obviously it felt OK when I rotated it before assemblying the brakes, strut, and axle.

Jim

[wytbishop]

HEEEY....what the hell man???

[jmdearras]

If it is the bearing, are any Mazda "SST" tools essential, or can you use the usual assortment of pipe pieces and sockets to push the bearing out and in?

Thanks,
Jim

[jmdearras]

OK, my face is really red!

Got home and fired up the compressor to remove the tire. jacked the car up and sat beside the wheel.
As I was lifting the impact wrench to remove the nuts, I noticed one nut almost off the stud! another was loose.

Evidentally in my rush Sunday evening in the fading light, I had missed fully tightening the lug nuts on that wheel.

I went ahead and removed the wheel. All was fine. I reinstalled the wheel, tightening the lug nuts this time, and road-tested it. No noise at all!

Oh well, a good outcome anyway.

Jim

[Ryan]

wow. thats how my wheel almost fell off. Started with a bit of a clunk on any sort of deceleration, and got much worse untill BLAMO i was riding a merry-go-round at 40kph.

always check wheels first

[wytbishop]

Yeah....I’ve totally done that.

[umcamara]

I told you Wytbishop doesn't know what he's talking about. I knew it was the lug nuts all along.

[wytbishop]

Gooseberry is off the hook...new dumbest first post ever.^^^