Very Loose Bearings...01 PF

[yngw13]

just came from the dealership after the 2 recall repairs (fill line tube/ corrosion )and they they found my front driver side having "very loose bearings" and was advised to get it repaired through a repacking.(@$300ish for both front) I just bought it and its not my daily driver. and only drive it once a week for like 5-10 miles to nearby places. I dont hear any noise or feel any steering vibrations.

My question is ...can I keep driving the car? I will eventually get it repaired next year for sure but for the meantime based on frequency of use can I get by?

btw...they found no corrosion and did undercoat the front wheel wells.



<3 this car so far and only have had it for a month now...

[htbyrico]

well i been a technician for 8 year i had my fair share of bearing being a lil loose.. first question do you hear a humming noise when you drive? and have some tools .. you might be able to just tighten the nut and get some of that end play out!! end play mean loose so you know its in the specks to much end play may need a replacement may !!

[yngw13]

htbyrico > thanks for the response!

no noise at all....been driving it today just to 2x check any signs...I dont doubt they might have checked it when it was lifted in the dealership for play...

do the steps you mentioned require taking off the brake calipers? Ive seen the guide and I cringe at the idea of hammering out the races myself...if it only requires taking off the wheel and tightening a nut then I can possibly do that...

[htbyrico]

your fine just take the tire off and knock off the grease cap.. then take the key out and the nut retainer and with a small crescent wrench tighten it till the nut is tight but not too tight.. turn ..tight.. and a 1/4 of a turn.. but wheel on and check for end play !! move the tire up and down .. you should be fine.. do you have 4 wheel drive?

[yngw13]

htbyrico > yes its a 4x4...
I will take a look at the DIY guide and recheck the internals under the dust cap...I forgot what it looks like without the retainer...
Is that procedure as good as the labor of a repack?
For all I know the dealership just tried to get something off me for the recall repairs...sneaky...

thanks again! much appreciated...I will check for noise again tomorrow and might jack it up...I will avoid highway/hi speed long trips for now...

[htbyrico]

if it is a 4x4 it going to be a lil bit trickier.. and a repack is going to need and remove the brake calipers.. if you run to any issues send me a e-mail ill walk you though it .. [email protected]

[yngw13]

well I did the wiggle test and it wasnt loose at all...on both sides
I repacked it anyways when I replaced the brake pads with thermoquiets...w/c btw are superb

I just wanted to update this thread

[htbyrico]

good to know.. just so you know always check your tires before you think its bearing noise... i seen bad shock and struts cause uneven tire wear.. therefor making a sound that appears to be a bearing noise.. or riding on mud tires..
Nissan are know for there bearing noises but it takes a skill tech/mechanic to find the right problem
well if there's anything else you need feel free to hit me up..

[yngw13]

its kinda funny though...
there is still that VERY light whistle noise but it so quiet that I have to find that noise just to know its there and turn off the radio....

either ways I remember packing the bearings like crazy...with this



was looking at the old grease which wasnt so bad but not just as thick if you were to repack it...the races seem fine too....thanks for the response and insights very much appreciated

[Towncivilian]

That grease is great, nice choice.

I think your whistle noise might be coming from the rear air vents. If I recall correctly, they are there to equalize pressure when you close a door so you don't blow any windows out. My Pathfinder whistles somewhere around 35-45 mph too.

[yngw13]

That grease is great, nice choice.

I think your whistle noise might be coming from the rear air vents. If I recall correctly, they are there to equalize pressure when you close a door so you don't blow any windows out. My Pathfinder whistles somewhere around 35-45 mph too.

holy jeebus! so thats what it is EXACTLY! 35-45ish approx...hehe

Thanks TOWN! ...you seemed to hit the nail on the head...bullseye...had I known...gah...either way jobs done and Im happy to have done it myself

was starting to think I was having excessive OCD

[htbyrico]

and there you go... wa-la.. glad to see you found helpful info on nico.. we are all here for you.. it takes one to know one...