TR2/3/3A TR3A wheel bearing?

[NutmegCT]

Yesterday as I was driving my TR on one of our two-lane country roads I went past a stone wall, close to the road.

As I passed, I could hear a slight "squealing". Only heard it when I was next to a flat vertical surface.

Some experimenting showed the squealing is coming from the right front wheel; starts as I get up to about 10 mph and continues. Not constant, but frequent. Seems to lessen when I turn right or left, then start up again on the straight.

Is that the sign of a failing wheel bearing?

What steps do I follow to diagnose and repair?

Edit: there's no "play" or looseness in the steering.

Thanks.
Tom

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Hey, Tom -

"Squealing" noise may not be a bearing, and the fact that it changes when you're turning and isn't constant makes me think it might be more an issue of either brake pad or something scraping. Backing plate/dust shield maybe?

Bearing noise is usually more of a grinding or rumbling.

Just my thoughts early this morning...

Mickey

 

[TR3driver]

I'm with Mickey. My guess is that the brake pads are rubbing on the disc just enough to squeal a bit.

But if it bothers you, it certainly wouldn't hurt to inspect and repack the wheel bearings.

PS, Forgot to add: Sometimes, filing a small chamfer on the leading edge of the pads will quiet them. I've also had fairly good luck with the adhesive aluminum shims sold at your FLAPS (the kind you cut to shape with scissors and stick on the back of the pads).

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Will third the action. Squeal is brakes, grinding or rumble bearing.

Marv

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks gentlemen. Hadn't even thought of the brakes, as I replaced them about four years ago and have driven only a couple of hundred miles since - without any squeal. Started driving again about a month ago, and the squeal started.

Tomorrow: check brakes.

T.

 

[TomMull]

Agree, brakes. FWIW, An easy check is to put a little pressure on the pedal and the noise will (usually) go away. Wheel bearings (usually) rumble when turning. Tom

 

[NutmegCT]

Interesting. I do remember that lightly touching the brake pedal stops the noise.

Just out of curiosity, if I determine the squealing is due to brakes, does it actually need to be "fixed"?

Or will it gradually disappear? It certainly doesn't bother me, other than worrying the wheel was about to fall off!

Tom

 

[bobhustead]

May or may not disappear, but a pad squeal won't hurt anything.
Bob