99 Miata sounds like a train!

[billy bronco]

I getting real close to buying this 99. First thing I noticed was a sound like a wheel bearing was gone in the front end. With the car being a rear wheel drive this didn't concern me to much, yet only 48K miles on it. Called dealer and says you need to buy a whole hub assy that holds inner & outer bearings, this okay I guess, cost $170 (dealer) is this common on these? The car sits many winter months in garage without moving. Can you just replace the bearings? How do you grease these or do they come pre greased never to be touched again.

Other than this, car needs 4 tires and brakes soon, probibly a tune up, I'm at $7700 right now, still room to lower a little I think. Its clean and dent free, runs very good.

Let me know about hus ASAP, thanks!

 

[kcbhiw]

I getting real close to buying this 99. First thing I noticed was a sound like a wheel bearing was gone in the front end. With the car being a rear wheel drive this didn't concern me to much, yet only 48K miles on it. Called dealer and says you need to buy a whole hub assy that holds inner & outer bearings, this okay I guess, cost $170 (dealer) is this common on these? The car sits many winter months in garage without moving. Can you just replace the bearings? How do you grease these or do they come pre greased never to be touched again.

Other than this, car needs 4 tires and brakes soon, probibly a tune up, I'm at $7700 right now, still room to lower a little I think. Its clean and dent free, runs very good.

Let me know about hus ASAP, thanks!

Is it possible to jack up the front of the car and check for play in the wheel bearings (grasp the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock and oppositely push and pull. repeat for 12 and 6 o'clock)? If there isn't any play, the noise may be from something else. As far as the replacement of the bearings goes, I can't provide any info.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

What he said.

I am coming to the point (100K miles) where I am going to replace my bearings, but haven't done it yet. I do know that hub assemblies are expensive, so $170 sounds like your typical high retail dealer price.

However, i have not heard of ANY miatas every having bearing problems. But that is not to say that all miatas are not prone to it.

Good luck.

 

[Orthonormal]

You don't even have to jack up the car to feel wiggle in the wheel bearings. Just grab the tire and haul on it. Jacking it up would allow you to turn the wheel and listen for grinding. Just don't mistake the brakes dragging (sort of a constant hissing sound) for something else.

 

[kcbhiw]

However, i have not heard of ANY miatas every having bearing problems. But that is not to say that all miatas are not prone to it.

Good luck.

With 133k on Miata #1, I have had no bearing issues. However, they do exist. The last time I met Randy Stocker (www.solomiata.com), his bearings were shot and he had a significant amount of play in the wheels.

 

[KpaBap]

Near 65k miles here and not a problem.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

With 133k on Miata #1, I have had no bearing issues. However, they do exist. The last time I met Randy Stocker (www.solomiata.com), his bearings were shot and he had a significant amount of play in the wheels.

Good to know. I will have to check mine out. (scratch) (boom07)