1996 Toyota Celica very noisy and needs professional opinions.

[Ethan6gc]

Okay guys, so I have a 1996 Toyota Celica, a very nice taken care of car. When I bought it the car had 145k miles on it. Never had any work done on it, so I went ahead and did all the maintance. I got a new timing belt, new front motor mount, new fuel filter, new air conditioner, spark plugs, gaskets, pretty much the works. The car had been lowered 2 inches on some crappy springs (origional sturts and shocks). So i drove it for a little while and the bolt of my front driver side control arm came out of the frame? Never heard of that, but I got that fixed...later my front passenger axle went out..had that replaced. I got tired of bottoming out with those crappy struts so I went ahead a got a D2 coilover kit. Kept it lowered 2 inches. Once I got those on, the ride was alot more rough..which I heard and it was very noisy. Before this point I had been told I needed new rear wheel bearings...after I got them put on I was told I didn't need them (the guys I had talked to told me I needed them and didn't need them since I got the car so I don't really trust them). Anyways so here is my main problem

Lately (about 4 months ago) my car started to whistle upon rotation in the front. Sounds like it is comming from the passenger side (the side i got my new axle on about 8 months ago) but im not sure they noise could be transfering from the other side. Back to the story, it whistles upon rotation and the noise stops when i brake. It normally takes about 5 minutes for it to start making thise noise, I guess when the car heats up. But it is very annoying and I want some help. I have heard the axle ring? Most people will say brake pads but I got new cross-drilled rotors and pads about 7 months ago, and have only put about 5k miles on them, if that. So I don't really think its the brakes. But the thing is it goes away when I brake so im confused? I mean its either brake problems, axle problems, or bearing problems right? But from what I know bearings roar not whistle. But then again I'm not sure. Just looking for some professional help, anybody good with toyotas.

[PittsburghCeli]

Sounds like possibly the wheel bearings which get pressed in. I just had mine replaced at 135k.

Jack both sides of the front up and put it in neutral, then turn the wheels manually to see if you can determine what is making the noise, remove the brake pads to eliminate those. Could also be the differential if it is a manual transmission and would need gear oil which is an easy job, but man does that old oil stink. The differential is on the other side of the half shaft axle and the noise could be coming from there?

Jack up the front and turn the wheels and you will find the noise. I am not a professional btw.

Good luck.

[Ethan6gc]

Thanks for the responses. My car is an automatic actually so I'm not too worried about the differential. When I have my car jacked up I have pulled at 6 and 12 oclock to see if there is any play and there is nothing, and that is how I have been taught to see if you have bad bearings. I mean like I said before I have been told I need new rear bearings, but never done anything about it, and the fronts don't seem to be the problem, but who knows. I have a feeling that my noise is either an axle issue or a bearing issue. Either way its no fun and not cheep. I have read that rust buildup on the bearings can cause some sort of noise, so I don't know I just hate taking my car in because no one can ever find out where my noise is, they just do a visual check and say its fine, when its not. Thanks for the help again.

[PittsburghCeli]

You have to jack up both sides and put the car in neutral or the wheels will not spin. You will pinpoint the noise if you do that. You might have to remove a wheel and even the brakes and rotors. If it still makes noise then it's definitely the bearings or cv joint.