Hi Guys, This is annoying me so I've got to do something about it. Just want to spend my $$ wisely so let me bounce this off you and see if youi agree it must be wheel bearings:

Currently: Driver car, as soon as you move steering wheel left or right, you feel a vibration coming through. It's almost as if the tire had 10 or 20 sides instead of a perfect circle design.

Tests: On a lift we tried to rock front wheels, no movement at 12 and 6 o'clock. Rotate same tire/wheel by hand and as speed increases you hear a rubbing noise.

Rear wheels also on lift: Drivers side = noticble play at 12 and 6 oclock.
Deduction: Rear wheel bearing for sure

Q: Could the rear wheel cause any of these feelings or noise up front? I doubt it but want to ask.


Q: Is it possible that the front rotor is warped causing this noise or tactile feedback? (Both noise and vibration increases with speed)

I've been assured that a worn lower ball joint (front) could not do much more than through the Camber off.

Could a worn bushing on that ball joint's arm be the culprit? (I remember the Jaguar World article that showed how to change this bush blamed a large number of driving issues on worn ones)

I'm a little intimidated and scared of the time and $$$ involved with replacing the front bearings after only 30,000 miles unless I really need to do so. That is behind all these questions. But if I do, that's the way it is.

If front bearing nees to be replaced, I recall one needs a special tool. Is that to remove the gear shaped apparatus on the rear of the hub? I ask because I recently saw the u tube video promising you could ignore any special tools and purchase a 12 point, 2 inch socket head. It fits and will allow you to remove this easily.

I recall many warnings about needing a special tool for the front bearing that's why I ask.

Your thoughts, advice, corrections are welcome. I can't wait to get back to the smooth XK8 ride we all love.

Thanks,

John

 

If there is no play in the front wheels I would not replace the bearings and I don't think they would result in the sensation you report if they were worn. When I replaced the bearings in my 97 there was a little play but no difference in feel.

The rear bearings do have a little play, so probably okay.

What is the age of your tires? There is a code molded on them that includes the date. As they age the rubber becomes hard and could result in the sensation you observe. If over six years old I would replace them first and then look for other problems. One thing you could try is to mount the spare on the front and see if there is a change. I'm sure it's also old, but may feel different.

 

Not sure if this pertains to your situation but I had a similar vibration that was the result of a loose nut that attaches to the front upper shock mount which is covered by the black plastic cover. While you are at it, inspect the upper shock mounts for wear and proper ride height.

 

I'd go for the bearings, turning puts more axial load onto them and a marginal bearing even if it has no play can start to protest. I had someting similar on a mazda 626 a few years back. I tried to rock the wheel and found nothing, swapped drive shaft, even swapped out the gearbox out of desperation as I was convinced the bearing was good. It was only when I pressed the bearing out that i found that there was some rust on the sides of the bearing race. The bottom of the grove was fine but I think as the bearing was loaded axially when turning, the ***** started to transmit load to more of the side of the race where the pitted rust surface was. Not saying that anything else is not going to cause that but its worked for me in the past

 

Hey John.
The rubbing noise might be the pad scraping on the rotor as you spin the wheel?

I had an issue fairly recently (different car) that I would have put money on being worn wheel bearings: drone, vibration, etc. I'd previously done a front-to-rear swop on the wheels, but didn't connect the two. Did the swop back and it disappeared, and can only presume it was a tyre issue. Wouldn't normally happen 'ovenight', but maybe it's been coming on for a while and now hit your tolerance level?

Mike

 

Boy it'd be nice if it was the rotor/brakes. I can replace them with my eyes closed.

FWIW, the front tires are 3 year old Pirelli Pzero's. They are getting to a low tread condition. I hope this doesn't sound dumb, but: If I swapped left for right the two Pirelli's would the "reverse" rotation show me anything about it being the culprit?

Thinking as I type: If it was wheel balance the wobble would have nothing to to with turning the wheel right?

John

 

I am betting on a bad tire if it is a wobble. Mount your spare on the suspected corner and see if it changes.

If you do end up replacing a wheel bearing I uploaded the instructions that came with my Jaguar wheel bearing toolkit (that I have yet to use). Might be helpful.

 

Rothwell, good idea. It's also a Pirelli with about the same wear. It certainly wasn't doing this last time I used it.

John

 

Its normal for a little rear play (12/6 o'clock), its by design, but I can't remember how much is within spec.

I had a similar experience of noise coming from the fronts at certain speeds (around 50km/h or so) where I would have thought it where the bearings. The dealer didn't think there was anything wrong with the bearings, these where already the upgraded thicker ones, not sure from what year these where though. In the end it where the tires, which irrc (it was 16 years ago) where also Pirellis.

 

regards swapping left to right I was told by a tire tech once to never do that as it can cause really bad issues with the belts just saying

 

There are tires that have a rotation arrow and can't be swapped, but that's the exception, not the rule. Many years ago it was a problem with steel radials and some mechanics stay with that. Just ask your local tire store.

 

FWIW, I just went though this scenario myself. In my case a bubble was forming in the inside of my right front tire. There was a bit of vibration only when turning initially but got progressively worse as the bubble got bigger.