Front end/axle growl

[dacecil]

I am working on getting my 91 DX V-6 back on the road. I recently installed a new engine and have been doing some shakedown cruises. It now has a very pronounced "growl" in the front end while driving. It sounds to me like a wheel bearing noise. Where are these, and how does one grease them?

Also, my alternator does not appear to be charging. It has, but now it's not. I have checked all the connections and it appears to be connected properly.


Thanks for your help.

Dale

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Hi Dale,

Well, for the alternator I'd try a local scrap yard. Usually you won't pay more than $30 or so (USD). Reman's or new dealer units can be hundreds of dollars, so use them as last ditch efforts.

For the growling, do you feel any kind of vibration in the car? Usually (not always) I feel it when a bearing goes. Also, you'll probably feel the steering trying to pull slightly to one direction where it didn't before.

Greasing the bearing *probably* won't fix the problem. Once they're gone, they're gone. The bearings are located within the steering knuckle. To replace them, detach the ball joint, strut bolts, and tie rod end. Then simply bolt-up a replacement. Again, scrap yards are the first call you should make.

Good luck!

[toyomoho]

Try shifting the weight on the front wheels by rotating the steering wheel (gently but firmly) at highway speeds. See if then noise increases on one side of the car. Use common sense of course.

[BakaWill]

the berings are non serviceable so when you remove them you destroy them. its like 25-30$ for new ones and you need a press to remove and install them. thay are located in the steering knuckle. i just replaced mine for a similar reason.

[dacecil]

I will address the bearing issue as you all have suggested.

Thanks
Dale

[marc780]

CV drive axles worn?

[Doctor J]

While driving, gently apply the brakes.
If pedal pulsates slightly and noise changes,
check the front pad for cracked linning.
Similar thing happened on my late 79 Supra in 2001. "The experts" suggested bearing too but the brake pad was the issue.

As for the alternator the common parts to fail:

Brushes,
Regulator (same for many toyotas), use one from Cressida or Supra 86 to 89
Diode rectifier assembly (K letter coded on the insulating plate near the positve stud)
Refer to www.autoshop101.com by K.Sullivan, technical articles

[Kep]

Once, when I had my cvc joint replaced, the mechanic didn't tighten a retaining bracket on the passenger side joint. There was a pronounced, intermittent, growl. You might want to check your axles and verify that all of the holding brackets are installed correctly.

Kep