front wheel bearings

1993 TOYOTA CELICA
180,000 MILES
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LLFOWLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Twice now I have taken my 93 celica into my local shop and they replaced both the bearings and hub assembly. First time it started making noise jusr 3 weeks after having been replaced. I just picked it up today after the second go round of new wheel bearings, new hub assembly and new axle nut. Tonight on my way home the same wheel started shimmying and then smoking and had to be towed in. My mechanic is perplexed. Any ideas on what could be causing this? I'm out of money and ideas.
May 15, 2013 at 10:05 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Sounds more like you have a front brake that's not releasing. Wheel bearings don't smoke.

The most common cause of repeat wheel bearing failure is improper installation procedures. In particular, the torque on the axle nut is very high and it's critical. A lot of people lower the vehicle so its weight will keep the wheel from turning while they tighten that nut. At that point it's too late. The damage has been done. There must never be any weight on the bearing until that nut is tight.
May 15, 2013 at 10:43 PM
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