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Rubbing noise whilst driving my Geo; I cannot figure out what is causing this noise!
Topic Started: May 10 2015, 12:12 AM (1,432 Views)
johnross999
New Member
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I am having a strange issue and it seems this might be the place to find an answer. I am having a rubbing/dragging sound when I drive my 1993 Geo Metro 1.0 hatchback. What is really weird is when i turn to the right about 1 oclock, the sound completely goes away. This started over a month ago. I did need bearings for a long time so I thought this was the bad bearings making the noise. The noise sounds like it is coming from the drivers side wheel area, but could be from the transmission. Anyway a couple weeks ago, I did replace the bearings. The sound did not go away. Ok well the wheel got loose again, and I figured out that the outer spacer between the hub and knuckle was missing. Found one from a guy on craigslist. So a few days ago I took it all apart again, replaced the bearings again too because they got messed up from not having the spacer there. I did indeed see where there was some serious rubbing inside there. The CV axle was coming separated too, and the boot was ripped and when i took the wheel off the CV axle just fell apart in two. SO replaced the CV axle, also replaced both inner and outer tie rod ends while I was there. Got it all back together and was pretty hopeful that it was right this time. The wheel feels really tight, the steering feels tight. But the noise persists! Same thing, when I drive it makes a noise, but when I turn the wheel a little to the right the sound goes away. The guy that I got the spacer suggested I check for a seized caliper, so I took the wheel off today. It is not seized the pins move freely. I took the passengers side wheel off to compare. The passenger wheel spins freely. By comparison, the drivers side wheel is hard to spin. It does not spin freely, and I mean with the caliper taken off the rotor it is hard to spin. I am not sure why this issue is still going on with new bearings and new everything else. I need to work on the passenger side next, it needs bearings and the boot on the CV axle needs to be replaced, and going to do tie rod ends and brakes on that side too. But I really need to find out the source of the rubbing sound before moving on to the other side. I don't think it is something I did, since it started before I started working on anything. But I don't know what else it could be now, it feels really solid. But the fact that it is not spinning freely means something is up with that wheel. Or could it be the transmission? I hope not. ANY suggestions or advice at all is welcome.
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Woodie
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Noise that goes away when you turn right is usually the passenger side front wheel bearing.
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johnross999
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Woodie
May 10 2015, 04:26 AM
Noise that goes away when you turn right is usually the passenger side front wheel bearing.
even if the noise comes from the drivers side? the bearings on the passenger side are slightly worn, though. but that wheel just spins freely and the drivers side is hard to spin.
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evmetro


If the wheel is hard to spin with the caliper removed, you have probably narrowed it down to the wheel bearing. It is possible for a person to do something wrong when installing a wheel bearing.
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johnross999
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evmetro
May 10 2015, 12:57 PM
If the wheel is hard to spin with the caliper removed, you have probably narrowed it down to the wheel bearing. It is possible for a person to do something wrong when installing a wheel bearing.
yes, could be. but it was making the exact same noise before I replaced the bearings and everything else. the clunking went away when i replaced the CV axle, so its not quite as noisy as before.
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Old Man


You seem to be more concerned about the "Noise" than you are with the drivers side wheel not spinning freely, even when the only thing turning is the wheel bearings.

I think maybe I would be more concerned that I screwed up the wheel bearing change instead of wondering where the noise is coming from.

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evmetro


Although it would not make the wheel harder to turn, a brake dust shield that is bent and rubbing on the rotor could make an annoying rubbing sound. Can you get the sound to happen when the wheel is off the ground and you spin it?
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johnross999
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Old Man
May 10 2015, 03:03 PM
You seem to be more concerned about the "Noise" than you are with the drivers side wheel not spinning freely, even when the only thing turning is the wheel bearings.

I think maybe I would be more concerned that I screwed up the wheel bearing change instead of wondering where the noise is coming from.

not really, because the wheel not spinning freely is most likely causing the noise.
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johnross999
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evmetro
May 10 2015, 03:06 PM
Although it would not make the wheel harder to turn, a brake dust shield that is bent and rubbing on the rotor could make an annoying rubbing sound. Can you get the sound to happen when the wheel is off the ground and you spin it?
I checked for any rubbing on the brake shield against the rotor and looks clear. And no I can't get it to spin fast enough to make the sound happen really, but it does sound rough.

Could I have put things together too tight? What could I have done wrong with the bearings?
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RONNIEREDLINE
METRO MAD MAN

first thing i would do is pull the drivers axle, spin the wheel and see if it still does it, if it does its the wheel bearings, if not then look at the axle.
does the sound, sound sharp enough to come from outside of the trans, or is it kinda muffled like it was inside the trans?
a tight wheel is something to be looked at, but if it did it before you touched it maybe you should pull the axle and have a look see?
a noise is definitely something to seek out, its telling you something, just gotta listen to it and see. did you get the axle all the way in when installing it? i heard someone on here had a noise like that and there axle was a little bit out and made a noise and also binded up the wheel and didnt let it spin freely, but i dont know how they get the assembly together with it not all the way in, but it happens.
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RONNIEREDLINE
METRO MAD MAN

get the snap ring re-installed on the bearings?
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RONNIEREDLINE
METRO MAD MAN

maybe the wheel is actually rubbing on the inner fender skirt or something?
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johnross999
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RONNIEREDLINE
May 10 2015, 09:31 PM
first thing i would do is pull the drivers axle, spin the wheel and see if it still does it, if it does its the wheel bearings, if not then look at the axle.
does the sound, sound sharp enough to come from outside of the trans, or is it kinda muffled like it was inside the trans?
a tight wheel is something to be looked at, but if it did it before you touched it maybe you should pull the axle and have a look see?
a noise is definitely something to seek out, its telling you something, just gotta listen to it and see. did you get the axle all the way in when installing it? i heard someone on here had a noise like that and there axle was a little bit out and made a noise and also binded up the wheel and didnt let it spin freely, but i dont know how they get the assembly together with it not all the way in, but it happens.
ok, i think you are on to something here. I am going to check to make sure the axle is all the way in place. i keep suspecting it may be coming from inside the trans, so this is definitely worth investigating. Do you think turning the wheel to the right would make it slide into place, so not noisy then? pulling the wheel tomorrow, thanks!
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RONNIEREDLINE
METRO MAD MAN

well its hard to say if turning it will stop the noise, if the axle isnt in all the way, it might make a variety of noises that are not common. turning it does make the axle a little shorter, so maybe it pulls it out a little bit or something? if it isnt in all the way it is also crooked slightly as well.
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RONNIEREDLINE
METRO MAD MAN

do you have a "C" spring at the end of the axle to lock it into place?
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