Bad Rear Wheel Bearing?? Please Help.

[Cutlass476]

Beginning at about 80-85 mph a 2-3 second harmonic vibration begins and gets progessively worse up to ~ 105-110 mph then is smooths out. It is a vibration that feels like it is traveling through the entire car chasis. I have only had my car for a couple of weeks and it is my first Vette but I have owned a couple of Porsches and I have never encountered this type of vibration before. My car only has 8070 miles on it and has never been wrecked.

I really don't think it is wheel balance as wheel balance problems normally show up around 35-50 mph and get progressively worse. I am thinking that this may be a rear wheel bearing. I also hear a quiet wah-wah-wah-wah sound when I am rolling at low speeds (speeds slow enough that you can still hear drive train noises over the exhaust/engine sounds). This also makes me think that I may have a bad rear bearing.

Any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

Max

[IT L GO]

Max,
Welcome Aboard the Good Ship Z06.

Do a search on wheel vibration (top right of this page) this should give you some Ideas.

.

[seamus2154]

I have a 2003 zo6 and at 10,ooo mls I heard a noise from the rear only on newly paved roads which took away the tire noise.turned out the c5 are prone to the rear end side seals leak. Dealer told me they see a couple a month. the loss of fluid ruined my rear had to be replaced. Between the exhaust and the tires you cant hear it. w/ the new rear the dealer told me every time I wash it check the rear its that common.

[sillverbullet]

Welcome aboard Max i'm sure you will get your answer here this is most informative vette site around with great people. As far as the problem i had a similar one i took it to a dealer they balanced all the tires and said there is nothing wrong with the car. So i took it to another dealer because i know it's not right and they told me it's a front hub bearing. i hope this helps do a search you will get more info good luck with the new car and enjoy.

[speedpup]

Jack the car up and check the wheel bearing by wiggling the wheel by grabing tire top and bottom. I doubt it is a bearing but it is possible. See if you feel free play. Rotate the wheel slowy and see if it feels smooth. You can remove the wheel and try it also. Check for feel play in the hub.

[Subdriver]

Originally Posted by speedpup

Jack the car up and check the wheel bearing by wiggling the wheel by grabing tire top and bottom. I doubt it is a bearing but it is possible. See if you feel free play. Rotate the wheel slowy and see if it feels smooth. You can remove the wheel and try it also. Check for feel play in the hub.

I agree.

I haven't heard of wheel bearings causing this type of problem, but have heard of tires doing it. I'd do the check recommended above and if it doesn't appear there is a large problem, get your tires balanced. Balancing a tire is relatively inexpensive and would rule out the easy thing before you start spending big money on new wheel bearings (they come as a unit and the rears are something like $400+ dollars each.

The rear wheel bearing is the piece to the right in this pic: