So, we've been having some fun learning experiences working through the FWD system on our 2012 "5", replacing things that look bad, and will hopefully eventually fix the annoying noise that got us tearing into the thing in the first place. Not terribly relevant, but I'm super irritated at having invested $20,000 on a brand new car that's now (at 75k miles) needing repairs like any other aging car, but considering that my '87 Colony Park ($4000 used in 1997) puked its transmission at 85k original miles and 10 years old, and I was never able to change the spark plugs on my '90 Cutlass Calais International Series ($3000 used in 1996) because they were permanently seized to the head at 90k miles, maybe that's not entirely justified. The 5 still drives great aside from needing (I'm 95% sure) camber/caster adjustment, which the dealer failed to perform when I had it aligned there a while back. I just saw someone selling adjustable lower balljoints, which might be a more convenient option than offset bolts or even camber-only alignment plates .........
Anyway, The ongoing noise is kind of a whirring/buzzing that is consistent with road speed and not related to steering or throttle input.
The first bad part I found was the left front wheel bearing, which was not surprising as I had bought used complete spindles when I did the brakes two years ago and couldn't get the rotors off. (Maybe I could have cut the rotors off? Too late now.) The wheel bearing had lots of play, so we bought a new hub/bearing kit at NAPA and changed it out. Had to chase down my local machine shop, which had relocated since I'd last needed them, and $60 for pressing the bearing hurt a bit, but it was done and our problem was fixed!
Or not. It kept up, and even seemed to gain a floppy tone. An inspection looking specifically for noise found noise coming only from the right inner CV boot, and I found grease escaping from both inner CV boots. I just got around to replacing the boots last week (big thanks to the guys on the What Are You Working On thread!), so now it's all fixed!
Or not. The noise is now more of a pure whir/buzz/whine. Now I'm wondering about the intermediate shaft bearing, and also figuring I should do the right front wheel bearing for good measure, since it probably has the same miles as the left front that was floppy. Unless an inner CV joint is bad despite looking fine on the bench, these should be the last two pieces to the puzzle unless there's something weird in the transaxle.
I was distressed to find that the intermediate shaft bearings are very hard to come by, but then I found this thread:
as well as these sources that claim to sell intermediate shaft parts:
Parts Geek
zoomzoomnationparts.com
Anyone have experience with these sources?
If anyone's worked on the intermediate shaft, was removing and replacing the bearing something you could do with hand tools, or did it have to be done on a hydraulic press?
Any random advice for working on FWD stuff? My only previous experience living with FWD long term was with our '03 Cavalier, which when we traded it was well on its way to rusting in half without anything up front looking questionable except for some weeping from the axle seals.
Anyway, The ongoing noise is kind of a whirring/buzzing that is consistent with road speed and not related to steering or throttle input.
The first bad part I found was the left front wheel bearing, which was not surprising as I had bought used complete spindles when I did the brakes two years ago and couldn't get the rotors off. (Maybe I could have cut the rotors off? Too late now.) The wheel bearing had lots of play, so we bought a new hub/bearing kit at NAPA and changed it out. Had to chase down my local machine shop, which had relocated since I'd last needed them, and $60 for pressing the bearing hurt a bit, but it was done and our problem was fixed!
Or not. It kept up, and even seemed to gain a floppy tone. An inspection looking specifically for noise found noise coming only from the right inner CV boot, and I found grease escaping from both inner CV boots. I just got around to replacing the boots last week (big thanks to the guys on the What Are You Working On thread!), so now it's all fixed!
Or not. The noise is now more of a pure whir/buzz/whine. Now I'm wondering about the intermediate shaft bearing, and also figuring I should do the right front wheel bearing for good measure, since it probably has the same miles as the left front that was floppy. Unless an inner CV joint is bad despite looking fine on the bench, these should be the last two pieces to the puzzle unless there's something weird in the transaxle.
I was distressed to find that the intermediate shaft bearings are very hard to come by, but then I found this thread:
Intermediate shaft carrier bearing?
Mine is shot.. Unless the the new wheel bearings i put on are bad. And we all know they could be. But the bearing noise is out of the passenger side floor board.. And i can feel it in the wheel.. Steering isnt changing the noise.. Only the weight of the whole car going up and down as i go up...
www.mazdas247.com
as well as these sources that claim to sell intermediate shaft parts:
Parts Geek
zoomzoomnationparts.com
Anyone have experience with these sources?
If anyone's worked on the intermediate shaft, was removing and replacing the bearing something you could do with hand tools, or did it have to be done on a hydraulic press?
Any random advice for working on FWD stuff? My only previous experience living with FWD long term was with our '03 Cavalier, which when we traded it was well on its way to rusting in half without anything up front looking questionable except for some weeping from the axle seals.