knocking noise & pulling to the left

[djfixter]

Ok guys...

Have a problem with my Arosa 1.4 Sreg.

On the motorway every so often it will suddenly pull to the left and then stop doing that.

Also for a while when the car is in motion there is a knocking noise... as the while turns about once every revolution. Definately front drive shaft.

Also when on full lock there is a grinding noise.

I have had the wheels aligned, still the same.

I suspect that it is a CV joint? I dont know much about cars... how many cv joints are there? are they easy to replace... I can see Arosa ones on ebay are about £18.

Should I take it to a garage or try and DIY?

Cheers
Dale.

 

[Boo]

I would try changing the wheel bearings 1st as its a cheap fix and could very well be something simple along the lines of a wheel bearing.

 

[djfixter]

I would try changing the wheel bearings 1st as its a cheap fix and could very well be something simple along the lines of a wheel bearing.

Could a wheel bearing cause it to suddenly pull to the left? then correct and then do it every so often?

Also my last MOT had some advisorys. 1) nearside rear wheel bearing has slight play.. (but the noise is from the front)
2) nearside front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement.

Could either of these be the cause?

 

[Boo]

Jack the car up and try moving the wheel, if there is alot of play in the wheel i.e. rocking back and forth or you can hear a similar noise to the 'grinding' noise you described - then its probably more likely to be a wheel bearing.

 

[F2 Stu]

Are you experiencing longer travel in the brake pedal as well? could be a collapsed wheel bearing and or you alignment is still off kilter. as above get the wheels off check for play and see if you can spot anythign ontoward, or take it to a reputable garage.

 

[allallyouyou]

Wheel bearing, must be

 

[djfixter]

Ok got it up on the jack... the scraping noise was from some thing catching on the rear of the discs... the wheel bearing has gone on the drivers side. The wheel has massive play, so must have fully collapsed. Gonna get new bearings put in tomorrow.

But this doesnt really explain the occasional pulling to the left...? Iv had the wheel off on this side and could not see anything obvious.. anyone know what I should look for? any pictures? hehe. Pads and discs are good. Brakes work fine. There is no play in the bearings on the left.

It has been aligned. But the fact thats it happens, just for a few seconds, then stops, thus not constant. Suggests its not the tracking thats a problem...

Thanks for all your help!

 

[F2 Stu]

It does explain why it pulls to one side occasionally. With the bearing being as it is your geometry is quite variable and so is the tracking, its only really apparent at speeds. It only takes an undulation in the road for the car to wander etc. Ive had a collapsed wheel bearing before and experienced said symptoms, it can cause long travel in the brake pedal as the pads & piston on that wheel get pushed back and can lead to a long pedal

I'll wager if its badly collapsed bearing the disc itself had been rubbing the the splash sheild, but is not the cause of the grinding noise - the noise is coming from the bearing.

Bearings are an easy fix, costs more in labour than the part itself.

 

[Boo]

If you know what your doing a bearing should take around 45 minutes to do. Its well worth doing and yes it can and will cause your car to veer in all sorts of directions. I wouldnt hesitate in getting it done, can be very dangerous when they have collapsed.

 

[djfixter]

oh yeh im defo gonna get it sorted... I have to drive to the south coast this weekend from Preston! lol. Wouldnt dare risk it as it is. Will keep you updated and thanks for all the great advise.