Got new tires today , but there is a problem!

[cklwilliam]

Hey guys

So I got some new tires for my rims today. Yokohama Envigor,
I was told that I should get an alignment done so my new tires wont wear unevenly like my current ones.
when the shop was about to put them on, they told me that my passenger front wheel bearing needs to be replaced, or else they won't guarantee the alignment and the tires.

So here is the problem, I just bought my car a little more than a month. Shouldn't the shop that safety the car fix the wheel bearing before it can officially pass the safety ? Safety was done on March 16, 2010.

I tried to contact the shop (SLIWA Truck repair , in Toronto) that did the safety, but I can't even find the shop on google, so I'm guessing the guy brought it to a shady place to safety the car.

Questions :
How much is it to fix the wheel bearing?
Should I still get the alignment done and put the tires on ? Will that ruin the new set of tire like the shop said?
Where can I get lug nut? How much are they? I was told that I need spine drive lug nut since the oe ones wouldn't fit.

Thanks for the help guys

[Kevin@nextmod]

I believe the wheel bearing is approx $230 from mazda and they charge anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. so approx under $500 for 1 bearing

[cklwilliam]

oh man... $500 for 1 bearing. damn..um wat should i do

[S.F.W.]

Here is the link for the requirements for a car to pass safety:http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_900611_e.htm . Nothing in that requirement about wheel bearings. As stated multiple times, a safety certificate is not equivalent to a mechanics inspection. You should have had the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic.
With all that said, your best bet is to buy the wheel bearing from Joe/Flipdaddy (Parts Manager Mazda of Toronto), as he will give you a discount on the part. Then take said wheel bearing to Jimmy at Street Performance(search for his info), and he will be much much lower than Mazda for labour.

[Default User]

aren't safety certs only valid for 30 days anyway? Even if it was a fake pass...no way to prove it now.

Also, you don't necessarily have to buy a genuine Mazda part. I'm sure there are aftermarket ones available.
Just bring it to a reputable shop

[poke65]

I had a front passenger bearing done just over a month ago it was just under $300 total. TM3 discount on parts and street performance did the install. This was on an 04 not sure what year yours is but that will give you approx price.

[cklwilliam]

I had a front passenger bearing done just over a month ago it was just under $300 total. TM3 discount on parts and street performance did the install. This was on an 04 not sure what year yours is but that will give you approx price.

Mine is a 04 too, thats great to know its under $300. Did you get your parts from the dealer?

So should I wait til the bearing is fix and get alignment before I put on my rims?

[Donutz]

Look on Rockauto.com for the wheel bearing. You can find Timken's there for a really good price.

[poke65]

Mine is a 04 too, thats great to know its under $300. Did you get your parts from the dealer?

So should I wait til the bearing is fix and get alignment before I put on my rims?

I got the parts from Agincourt Mazda I believe it was a 15% discount on the part and I think Mazda of Toronto is 20% discount for TM3 members.
As for the second part of your question I would wait for alignment.

[cklwilliam]

oh man... drove to toronto last night, my front passenger wheel started making noise, a knocking , clicking noise... it comes and goes, once I got off the highway it stopped, then when i drove home today, the same sound came back again for like 10 seconds then it went away as I started driving constant speed..


anyone know if that's the sound that's coming from the wheel bearing?

[poke65]

oh man... drove to toronto last night, my front passenger wheel started making noise, a knocking , clicking noise... it comes and goes, once I got off the highway it stopped, then when i drove home today, the same sound came back again for like 10 seconds then it went away as I started driving constant speed..


anyone know if that's the sound that's coming from the wheel bearing?

That sounds more like it may be a CV joint then a wheel bearing. If it clicks (knocks) when turning at low speed while excelerating I would say CV joint

[htc***]

I think when you drive 60KM or under, you won't hear anything until you hit 80KM or more then you will hear the sound, like winter tire make a noise. That the bearing need to be replace otherwise it might cause the tie rod/tire premature wear out too.

[cklwilliam]

That sounds more like it may be a CV joint then a wheel bearing. If it clicks (knocks) when turning at low speed while excelerating I would say CV joint

It only makes the sound when I'm on the highway, I tried turning the wheels both way full lock, it didn't make any noise...


I think when you drive 60KM or under, you won't hear anything until you hit 80KM or more then you will hear the sound, like winter tire make a noise. That the bearing need to be replace otherwise it might cause the tie rod/tire premature wear out too.

I think i'm just gonna get it check out at the shop... too bad I'm in london.. or else i'd go to jimmy... u think jimmy could do it in an hour or two if go to toronto ?

[cklwilliam]

That sounds more like it may be a CV joint then a wheel bearing. If it clicks (knocks) when turning at low speed while excelerating I would say CV joint

It only makes the sound when I'm on the highway, I tried turning the wheels both way full lock, it didn't make any noise...


I think when you drive 60KM or under, you won't hear anything until you hit 80KM or more then you will hear the sound, like winter tire make a noise. That the bearing need to be replace otherwise it might cause the tie rod/tire premature wear out too.

I think i'm just gonna get it check out at the shop... too bad I'm in london.. or else i'd go to jimmy... u think jimmy could do it in an hour or two if go to toronto ?

[cklwilliam]

sorry for double posting, I just checked out that rockauto and autopartsway site, where would wheel bearing be under? I can't seem to locate it

[Donutz]

It doesn't let me link directly to the catalogue, but first you click the parts catalogue, then choose mazda 3 plus you year and model. Then choose brake/Wheel hub and you will find it on the expandable menu.

[cklwilliam]

I think I will be getting the parts from mot and bringing it to Jimmy,

The parts department said I have to get oem , or else it will screw up the cruise control, is that true?

[BMWWW]

sorry for double posting, I just checked out that rockauto and autopartsway site, where would wheel bearing be under? I can't seem to locate it

You won't be able to 'physically' see it. Its nicely tucked away, packed in a nice cozy place with lots of grease. :hawt


I think I will be getting the parts from mot and bringing it to Jimmy,

The parts department said I have to get oem , or else it will screw up the cruise control, is that true?

Give avante a call for a second opinion. To my limited knowledge, I would say 'no' on the 50/50 for a million.

[BMWWW]

As well, in my experience with bad bearings, it made no noise that is similar to 'clicking'. (Not sure if that's a more rare-symptom of failure)

In my experience, the noise (akin to winter tires, or an omnipresent 'wurrrr/drone') starts the moment you start rolling. Ever so faint at low speeds, but increases with volume the faster you go.
Its as if you threw on cheap/old tires, or very loud road noise, and is directly correlated to how fast you are traveling at. YMMV.

Replacing the bearings made 9 year old Civic equal a nice new Mercedes in terms of road noise.

[cklwilliam]

I actualy recorded the sound with my phone, im gonna upload it and see if that gives you guys better idea.

I just called Jimmy, he said he would need to test drive the car and see what's wrong with it before he can tell me, which make sense,
but he can only test drive it before they close and asked me to go back next day . that would be really inconvenience since i'm from london, I may just go to a local shop and ask them to see what's wrong before I go to Jimmy,

[cklwilliam]

Sound clip 18.wav - 0.47MB (http://www.zshare.net/audio/75443843e9797f95/)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/75443843e9797f95/

let me know if the link works!

that's the noise, coming from passenger front wheel, I was driving on 401, straight line, 110 - 120

[Noisy Crow]

Doesn't sound like a bearing at all.......

[poke65]

Doesn't sound like a bearing at all.......

+1
sounds like something is loose and flapping around

[froggy]

Have to agree with the above does not sound like a wheel bearing. Wheel bearing would sound more of a whirring, like your riding on tractor tires, or with low pressure. That sound almost sounds like the sound I had when my rear sway bar was loose. I'd be more looking into something like that CV joint or the bushings on the control arm, hub, tie rod ends

[BMWWW]

If you need to save money, this is when talking will save you money. Call the shop first, ask if they charge to do trouble-shooting. If some ridiculous fee:

Go to the shop near closing or early morning, walk into the work bay (carefully), and pull a mechanic out and talk to him on the side. Pay said mechanic $20-40cash, and go for a test drive/put it up on the lift and do a look-see.

Their shop rate may be ~the same as yours, and now you're the mechanic's good buddy, and will get a discounted shop-rate. (REALLY savvy: call the above 'Jimmy', ask for the same quote, decide from there)

[S.F.W.]

If you need to save money, this is when talking will save you money. Call the shop first, ask if they charge to do trouble-shooting. If some ridiculous fee:

Go to the shop near closing or early morning, walk into the work bay (carefully), and pull a mechanic out and talk to him on the side. Pay said mechanic $20-40cash, and go for a test drive/put it up on the lift and do a look-see.

Their shop rate may be ~the same as yours, and now you're the mechanic's good buddy, and will get a discounted shop-rate. (REALLY savvy: call the above 'Jimmy', ask for the same quote, decide from there)

Jimmy won't charge anything to diagnose the issue.

[cklwilliam]

I actually have no idea what bearing sounds like, I just automatically assume it's the wheel bearing making the noise because the tireshop told me that I need to replace my wheel bearing when I got my rims and tires back , I guess ill just do what bmwww said and go into a shop see whats up.

[cklwilliam]

Car fixed! no charge! there was a piece of plastic underneath caught under the car that's causing the noise, mechanic said car is in good condition = D

[S.F.W.]

Car fixed! no charge! there was a piece of plastic underneath caught under the car that's causing the noise, mechanic said car is in good condition = D
that is great news!

[froggy]

Car fixed! no charge! there was a piece of plastic underneath caught under the car that's causing the noise, mechanic said car is in good condition = D


That is great and now go back to the **** heads at that shop that were trying to hose you for extra work!

[stevenma188]

Car fixed! no charge! there was a piece of plastic underneath caught under the car that's causing the noise, mechanic said car is in good condition = D

LOL! Aren't you glad you posted here first. I too was skeptical about it being the bearing, and I even asked you if you were sure it was the bearing. :chuckle Glad you sorted it out though.

[cklwilliam]

lol thanks for the help guys. yah I have no idea where that plastic piece go, but it's pretty big.