3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Tires are old so it has been more than 2 years since it was checked. Are you saying that if it was the bearing it would be a constant vibration not just an occasional one that only occurs above 60 mph?
release the hand brake
jack up the car(first put something in front of front wheel )
remove the wheel
remove DRUM
turn the hub by your hand
listen for any abnormal noise
if you hear something might be bad BEARING
Last edited by AliRazoR; 08-23-2010 at 12:10 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to AliRazoR For This Useful Post:
bearings will shift pitch at speed. At a speed of 35 to 45 windows up, air off, radio off, listen as you drive straight down a smooth paved road. Now take a slow left, turn right, turn left shifting the cars weight from side to side.
Bad bearings will make noise as they become loaded. The right rear would likely make noise when you turn left and weight is transferred to the rightside.
Beyond that, block the car, jack the rear, have a helper spin the wheel (brake off), place stethoscope to the hub area. If it sounds like gravel, its bad or going bad. It more likely you hear the wisp of the brakes dragging. Try not to confuse the two.
Listen to the engines alternator for perspective on a bearing. It'll be loud with a stick to you ear.
hint: broom handles cut down, long screw drivers, and stethoscope are handy for listening to noises. Use a paper towel tube to listen to vacuum leaks, coil sparks jumping, ect. . .
How many miles on the 92?
__________________
95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
The Following User Says Thank You to 73sport For This Useful Post:
I'm prettry sure I have a bad left rear bearing - it will start grinding at 65 mph but not every time I get up to that speed. It eventually smooths out after about 2 minutes of driving but it is getting more frequent.
It has 173K miles. Not flooded - western PA climate - garage kept most of the time -some severe use - no hitch. Did you have to replace the rear bearings on your 95? If so do you remember at what mileage?
Not yet. 95 has 226,xxx miles on it. Since 2005 its been pushed into the corners hard since 142,000 when I took ownership and no problems yet.
Can you please try to describe your perception of vibration vs grinding? I'm just trying to separate tire/wheel vibration from bearing noise.
Also, if you pulled the brake drum off, you might be able to see where grease came out of the bearing and more importantly feel the bearing by turning it.
I have had a wb explode and lock up a wheel. Not a pleasant experience but I would say is very rare. Most just get noisy and you find yourself having to pump the brake pedal as the added free-play at the hub/rotor/drum pushes the brake pistons in further as the braking surface no longer runs true.
Synapses of bearing failure:
1) seals let the grease out or the hardening if either the balls or the inner/outer race fail
2) w/out grease or with the induction of particles in the bearing it wears to an audible point making noise.
3) as the wear and noise continue, the bearing may develop some free play that can be felt/measured.
4) the surface hardening breaks away either A) creates lots of tiny particle or b) larger parts of material depart sometimes destroying the bearing cage and then the bearing has catastrophic failure.
edit: 1a, would be time and heat harden the seals that let the grease out, that let the dirt and/or water in ect then failure takes on 1, 2, 3, 4 . . .
__________________
95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
Last edited by 73sport; 08-23-2010 at 03:15 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to 73sport For This Useful Post:
1) Jack and secure the vehicle with jack stands or axle stands.
2) Try to rotate the tire from side to side and up and down. Ie) Is there play when you try to move the tire in and out from when your hands are placed in the 9 and 3 position and the 12 and 6 position.
4) Check your rear lateral arms for play in the bushings. Just because your tire moves, it does not mean it is the bearing. Sometimes the movement can come from a worn bushin in the lateral arm.
The bearings in question you can get from a junk yard. It is easier to pull the hub and replace it, rather than try to press a new bearing into a hub with a worn bearing. Sometimes the bearing will have taking the bearing race out of round causing the new bearing to not fit correctly.
Can you please try to describe your perception of vibration vs grinding? I'm just trying to separate tire/wheel vibration from bearing noise.
I'm driving along and all of a sudden it feels like I lost the tread and it sounds like an airplane engine (propeller). After about 2 minutes it gradually dissapates.
YIKES! I'd roll into your local tire shop, have them hoist it. Give the suspect wheel a spin to confirm and head straight to the parts counter/bone yard and grab a bearing.
THAT doesn't sound like something that goes unnoticed and could damage other parts!
Park it until repairs are made.
Video/audio to add to the trouble shooting threads. . . ???????
__________________
95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
The Following User Says Thank You to 73sport For This Useful Post:
So the fall out started at 250,000 miles and all four wheel bearings died by 275,000 miles? I'm just guessing. . . You still have this car and how many miles on it now?
__________________
95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
The vibrating actually started sometime before 200k; not sure when. It wasn't too bad at first, I just put up with it for a very long time. At first, turning the rotors would make it go away for a little while; like 10k miles or so. But it slowly got worse and worse. At one point I put a new set of tires on it and it improved a bunch, but still there. At that point, I suspected the wheel bearings were running a bit wobbly and screwing up the rotors, tire balance, and even tire roundness. That suspicion was what finally convinced me to try replacing wheel bearings, and it was correct.
In hindsight, one of the four (the drivers-side rear) wasn't all that bad. But yeah, they were all contributing to the vibration to some degree.
305k on it now. The cheapy $100 eBay wheel bearing is still holding up! (crosses fingers & knocks on wood)
__________________
1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
92 Camry rear bearing vibration
Linear Mode
