Wheel bearing?

[BluePT03]

So I have a whirring sound coming from the front passenger side (I believe) and when I turn the steering wheel slightly to the left it stops. Is that a bad wheel bearing? If it is how do I know for sure which Wheel it is and how difficult to change? I see they are around $20-25 to buy the bearing, anything else I would need? I think I would have to take it somewhere to be pressed in/out any idea how much they charge?
Sorry lots of questions in one post!

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by BluePT03

So I have a whirring sound coming from the front passenger side (I believe) and when I turn the steering wheel slightly to the left it stops. Is that a bad wheel bearing? If it is how do I know for sure which Wheel it is and how difficult to change? I see they are around $20-25 to buy the bearing, anything else I would need? I think I would have to take it somewhere to be pressed in/out any idea how much they charge?
Sorry lots of questions in one post!

First thing I would do is a full diagnostic before buying any parts.

A bad wheel bearing would usually starting making noise at 55- 60 mph and vibrate. After a driving it further it will gradually start vibrate and make noise from 30 to 60 mph.

I would jack up the front of the PT Cruiser and see if either wheel is loose when you wiggle it back and fourth or up and down.

Post what you find out.

[svtnos]

best thing to do .. buy two new bearings , remove both knuckles, have a repair shop press out the old and press in the new... thats what just finished.. i paid 156 for a shop to purchase bearings and do all the press work.. i could have saved some money if i bought bearings myself.. oh well live and learn ..

[rob302]

Originally Posted by svtnos

best thing to do .. buy two new bearings , remove both knuckles, have a repair shop press out the old and press in the new...

i agree. just do both. i fixed one side on mine, and then the other side started making noise.

i put off the second side until the vibration made my keys jingle. LOL

[svtnos]

Originally Posted by rob302

i agree. just do both. i fixed one side on mine, and then the other side started making noise.

i put off the second side until the vibration made my keys jingle. LOL

lmao love it

[sscanlan]

One thing you need to be aware of is that there were two different sizes of wheel bearings used. There is a 33mm and either a 36mm or 39mm, if my memory serves me correctly. Not sure exactly what model year they made the switch to the different size, but I'll bet that it's based on your VIN #.

[rob302]

he needs the wider one. the narrow bearing was only 2001. my 2002 was the wider one.

parts store sent the wrong one AND I INSTALLED IT. lasted less than a block. LOL that was a "fun" day.

[BluePT03]

I jacked it up and the passenger side (which is where I believe the noise is coming from) has some side to side movement but the driver side doesn't, does that mean it's the bearing?

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by BluePT03

I jacked it up and the passenger side (which is where I believe the noise is coming from) has some side to side movement but the driver side doesn't, does that mean it's the bearing?

I would check the outer tie rods first. Have someone get underneath while you are moving it side to side to make sure its not something other than the wheel bearings.

You can spin the wheels with the PT Cruiser jacked up and detect where the noise is coming from. This is what I did when my wheel bearing went bad.

If you do confirm that it is a bad wheel bearing as others have posted I would also recommend replacing both at the same time.

[myckee]

If you have a whirring or growl, which goes away or diminishes when you either load it or unload it, by turning the wheel when driving, then its a wheel bearing and not a tie rod.

When the bearing fails, or is on the way to failing, you may have some movement/play by grabbing onto the hub and checking for that play.