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Bad Drivers Side Half Shaft?

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Old 12-06-2009, 01:28 PM
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Default Bad Drivers Side Half Shaft?

My car has recently started a new problem I am trying to diagnose. When turning left, it sounds/feels like the drivers side tire is scrubbing. You can feel a little vibration in your feet. This usually only happens under some amount of load. Just coasting around a left corner doesn't usually cause this to happen.

I've driven around with the window open and don't hear any clicking/grinding/odd noises coming from that side, but it'* hard to tell. No problems at all turning right.

I am suspecting the drivers side half shaft? Ideas? Thoughts?
Old 12-06-2009, 01:34 PM
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Check for any play, check the bearings as well.
Old 12-06-2009, 01:38 PM
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The drivers side wheel bearing was replaced within the last 6 months. How does one check the bearings?
Old 12-06-2009, 01:45 PM
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Jack up the front and put jack stands under the car. the try to move the wire back and forth at the 12 and 6, as well as the 9 and 3. Twist the wheel back and forth, and also try pulling the wheel in and out. If you feel any play, track it back to what'* loose.
Old 12-06-2009, 02:05 PM
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There certainly are more than one thing in their that can make the noise. You may have replaced wheel bearing thinking that was the original issue, and have a had a half shaft, CV joint or linkage problem all along and now have another bad wheel bearing. Test the wheel bearing like Dan mentioned, then pull the tire off and check brakes, brake pads, rotors, stabilizer, end links and then go to the half shaft.
Old 12-06-2009, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Purplehazeir
There certainly are more than one thing in their that can make the noise. You may have replaced wheel bearing thinking that was the original issue, and have a had a half shaft, CV joint or linkage problem all along and now have another bad wheel bearing. Test the wheel bearing like Dan mentioned, then pull the tire off and check brakes, brake pads, rotors, stabilizer, end links and then go to the half shaft.
The wheel bearing was replaced in June. It was making a fairly loud "rumbling" at speed. Once it was replaced, the noise went away immediately and the car has been fine (except for the having to rebuilt the trans) The tire scrubbing thing is new within the past week or so.

Jacked the car up today. Wheel only moved a small bit at the 9 and 3 mark when you really yanked on it. The movement appeared to be coming from the rack area or inner tie-rod ends (if these cars even have them). I had to yank on the tire pretty hard to get it to move at all.

I reached up and yanked on the half shafts and they didn't seem to have any obvious movement either. All the boots looked fine.

Thanks for your help thus far! Further suggestions/ideas? I'm thinking of rotating the tires just to see if it does anything. For some reason my fronts are worn quite a bit more than my rears. >

Last edited by Dr_Gonzo; 12-06-2009 at 04:14 PM.
Old 12-06-2009, 04:23 PM
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That was my next suggestion. See if the sound follows the tire.
Old 12-07-2009, 12:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Dr_Gonzo
Thanks for your help thus far! Further suggestions/ideas? I'm thinking of rotating the tires just to see if it does anything. For some reason my fronts are worn quite a bit more than my rears. >
Sounds like you might have too much negative camber. Have you had the front end aligned lately? Might be worth a try. Especially if you have heavy wear on the front tires, and a rubbing noise.
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