Wheel bearing or CV joint

[dylank]

When I drive slowly I hear a slight grinding coming from my left front wheel. At faster speeds it turns into more of a "wirrrr." When I turn it will sometimes go away. Even sometimes when I drive straight the sound will not occur. However once I turn either way it will begin again.

I am unclear if it is the wheel bearing or the CV joint. As turning affects the sound I would lean towards CV but do not know. I have jacked it up and shaken the wheel and there does not appear to be any lateral play. Again leading me to the CV joint. But from the things I have read I am just unsure. Is there any more diagnoses I can do to narrow it down?

[fdryer]

In general, car cv joints use either several large steel balls in a ball/socket configuration or 'Y' type setup using three regular ball bearings allowed to slide in a sleeve to transfer engine torque to each tire. Google for images and how cvj's work. Normally long lasting and encased in a heavy duty rubber boot holding synthetic grease for lifetime reliability, a blown boot and spinning drive shaft throws grease everywhere. This leaves the bearings exposed to weather and eventually dry out causing corrosion and damage. Typical worn cvj's will make clicking sounds from each worn ball/socket or worn bearing/sleeve assembly as a car rolls forward or turned in a circle at low speed. Wheel bearings whirr quietly or loudly and are dual ball bearing arrangements for each wheel hub. Google for images. While one of the two ball bearings may wear out, the other bearing supports the weak one and doesn't let anyone know the bearing is worn out from side play. Others may add their comments.

[dylank]

Here is a video showing the sound

here is the link

[fdryer]

I'm not an expert on noise but that sound from your video doesn't sound like cv joints.

[dylank]

Yeah I agree. From everything I've read and deduced it seems bearing. I've had CV joints go out in other cars and it was very different. I've turned the wheel all the way and made very slow circles in both directions and there is no signals of a CV joint going out. I am gonna buy a hub/bearing combo so I don't have to mess with pressing it. I'm gonna do it tomorrow so we'll see

[dylank]

Doing a bit more detective work I went to a parking lot. When I turn the wheel all the way to one side and move slowly there is no sound at all. This happens regardless which way I turn the wheel. My reasoning says that the further the wheel is turned the more the CV joint is used. So if it was indeed the CV joint this extreme turn test would seem to make it worse, right? If not, why does turning the wheel all the way eliminate the sound?

[trottida]

Originally Posted by dylank

I am gonna buy a hub/bearing combo so I don't have to mess with pressing it.

You'll still need to press the bearing and hub in. The hub and bearing does not come as one bolt on assembly. Take a look at this video...

https://youtu.be/BQT6UunKTxw

[dylank]

So I was successful!

I rented a 30mm socket from Advanced Auto parts as well as a set of tie rod pullers which came in very handy. I also had to use a C-clamp to hold the steering arm to the knuckle as the ball joint was just spinning as I attempted to tighten it. All and all it went pretty smooth. I was grateful for having an 19" breaker bar. Everything came apart easy. I then took the knuckle with the hub and bearing still pressed in over to Brakes Plus. They charged me $55 bucks to pull the old hub and bearing and press the new ones in. I was happy to pay it, not worth the trouble.

As always thanks for all your help everyone