1st Gen Neon 1995 through 1999 Neons

ball joint / wheel bearing issue

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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 02:03 PM
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xyloft
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Default ball joint / wheel bearing issue

at least those are my guesses.

here's the symptom:

i'm driving strait at <65 no noise or vibration.
>65 i have vibration.
some vibration when i hit the brakes.
turning right at 30 or above it sounds like a pod racer from star wars episode 1.
the alignment also feels a bit off.
and the steering feels a bit sloppy...but that might be normal and i'm just used to my other car.

i have not jacked hte car up on that side and looked at it at all. anything i can look at, check, shake, etc. to help me determine where the issue is?
 
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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 02:35 PM
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Default RE: ball joint / wheel bearing issue

might have to take the tire off to get a closer look at whats goin on....your alignment is probably off a little too, since you have vibration when braking.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 03:19 PM
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Default RE: ball joint / wheel bearing issue

Sounds like you may have several issues. I doubt that it’s a wheel bearing as they generally make a moaning sound that changes pitch as you turn from side to side changing the load on the bearings. The fact that it’s quiet up to 65 tends to rule out wheel bearings. The vibration above 65 may just be a tire balance problem. The vibration when breaking indicates a warped break rotor. The sloppy steering could be tie rod ends, ball joints or struts. The tie rod end are easily checked, place your hand around the tie rod end and steering knuckle attachment and have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth, you should be able to feel any play in the joint. Check the struts for leaking fluid and sponginess.

Ball Joint check (Haynes Manual)
Place a prybar or large screwdriver between the control arm and the underside of the steering knuckle and try to lever the knuckle from side to side. Try to wiggle the grease nipple from side to side, it should not move easily.

The noise when turning may be a bad CV joint they tend to make noise under hard cornering. Also check for damaged engine mounts as that can cause the drive axel to be out of alignment.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 04:37 PM
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xyloft
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Default RE: ball joint / wheel bearing issue

thanks guys.

the noise whne turning happens regardless fo how fast or hard i corner...in fact doing the old nascar "warm up the tires" will cause the sound. it seems like the noise happens when there is the least bit of weight on the left front of the car (braking, turning, sometimes going down hill).

thanks for the check. i'll give that a shot.I've thought abou buying a haynes or other car book for it... just havn't gotten around to it. that and the fact that my brother will get this car back in august.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 08:17 PM
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DOHCgarrett t3
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Default RE: ball joint / wheel bearing issue

check tie rod ends too when my outer ones went bad that is what would happen to me also when my tires were wore down to much it shook at 35
 
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 02:50 AM
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Default RE: ball joint / wheel bearing issue

Have you checked the inner fender possibly loose or broken and rubbing the tire? Just a thought.
 
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