Chevy 05 Chevy Aveo: Brakes or Bearing? - CarForum.net - Car Forums, Automotive News and Community

legoman786 · 10-21-2012, 08:21 PM

While traveling on I-20 East, going well over the speed limit (75 MPH, Posted), just outside of Abilene, TX, the left wheel started howling and pulled to the left. Weirdest part about this, it did it on and off. It was not constant.

I slowed to the speed limit, and pulled over at the nearest rest stop to check the wheel bearing. The wheel didn't budge. I called a mechanic buddy and he thought the same, that it may be the wheel bearing.

I drove it into Abilene (driving the speed limit), no sound and no pulling, and had Firestone check it out. They confirmed, by driving and inspecting it by moving the wheel, that it's not the wheel bearing.

So, during the rest of my 3000 mile trip, it didn't do it once. Not a single time that this issue came back, until on our way back home.

This is the interesting bit; driving down AZ-87, just outside of Mesa, AZ, it came back. Out of curiosity, I tapped the brakes, and it stopped. Never once came up again. I drove the car consistently over 75 MPH the rest of the way home, over 220 miles.

Here's some more info, if it helps; driving at highway speeds, the right brakes engage first.

I am so completely baffled, that it hurt my head typing this up.

Any help is appreciated.

**Mike** · 10-21-2012, 08:37 PM

Piece of pad broke off and got lodged? Thats all I've got.

legoman786 · 10-21-2012, 09:43 PM

But, it happened twice on the trip. The left front bakes are still good, I think. I have not visually inspected those pads, yet.

**lemans81** · 10-22-2012, 12:53 AM

I had something similiar with my wagon, it turned out to be the flex brake hose, the rubber would swell under heat and force the caliper to drag, by the time I got home, pulled the wheel it would cool down and release, but the glazing on the rotor told me better. Ended up changing that hose and solved all the problems.

**Mike** · 10-22-2012, 11:00 AM

Thats possible as well. But that wouldn't make it howl.

legoman786 · 10-22-2012, 01:52 PM

The howling is what led me to the wheel bearing in the first place. That's why I'm so confused.

**lautinjr** · 10-22-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legoman786

The howling is what led me to the wheel bearing in the first place. That's why I'm so confused.

I still suspect wheel bearing. You need to check it at the spring and compare it to the other side. Any rain or bad water on your trip?

legoman786 · 10-23-2012, 10:49 AM

Neither. As I stated, I checked the wheel bearing by lifting the car and wiggling the wheel. Seemed solid.

**lautinjr** · 10-23-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legoman786

Neither. As I stated, I checked the wheel bearing by lifting the car and wiggling the wheel. Seemed solid.

Like I said needs to be checked at the spring. Wheel bearing noise can't always be found by a shake down.

legoman786 · 10-23-2012, 07:16 PM

How do I do that?

10-21-2012, 08:21 PM	#1
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	05 Chevy Aveo: Brakes or Bearing? While traveling on I-20 East, going well over the speed limit (75 MPH, Posted), just outside of Abilene, TX, the left wheel started howling and pulled to the left. Weirdest part about this, it did it on and off. It was not constant. I slowed to the speed limit, and pulled over at the nearest rest stop to check the wheel bearing. The wheel didn't budge. I called a mechanic buddy and he thought the same, that it may be the wheel bearing. I drove it into Abilene (driving the speed limit), no sound and no pulling, and had Firestone check it out. They confirmed, by driving and inspecting it by moving the wheel, that it's not the wheel bearing. So, during the rest of my 3000 mile trip, it didn't do it once. Not a single time that this issue came back, until on our way back home. This is the interesting bit; driving down AZ-87, just outside of Mesa, AZ, it came back. Out of curiosity, I tapped the brakes, and it stopped. Never once came up again. I drove the car consistently over 75 MPH the rest of the way home, over 220 miles. Here's some more info, if it helps; driving at highway speeds, the right brakes engage first. I am so completely baffled, that it hurt my head typing this up. Any help is appreciated. __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh. Last edited by legoman786; 10-21-2012 at 08:31 PM.

10-21-2012, 08:37 PM	#2
Mike Community Director Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 6,128 Rep: 129	Piece of pad broke off and got lodged? Thats all I've got. __________________ Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green, and the girls are pretty. \| Save a tree, support your local drag strip! Read the rules! \| DO NOT REPLY TO SPAM \| See a bad post? Just report it! Daily Driver: 1996 Chevy Blazer LT 4x4 - 235k miles Girlfriend's Car: 2003 Oldsmobile Alero GLS 3.4L 4 door - 130k miles Bike: 1981 Yamaha XS 400 [Almost ready!] Plow Truck: 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500 LT - 190k miles [6.0L, 4x4, ECSB, Eaton Rear Locker] Others: 2012 Chevy Cruze automatic, Sonic sedan manual, both 1.4 Turbo, LT trim

10-21-2012, 09:43 PM	#3
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	But, it happened twice on the trip. The left front bakes are still good, I think. I have not visually inspected those pads, yet. __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.

10-22-2012, 12:53 AM	#4
lemans81 Forum Director Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Independence, Missouri Posts: 463 Rep: 12	I had something similiar with my wagon, it turned out to be the flex brake hose, the rubber would swell under heat and force the caliper to drag, by the time I got home, pulled the wheel it would cool down and release, but the glazing on the rotor told me better. Ended up changing that hose and solved all the problems. __________________ “If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed.” --Mark Twain 2008 Dodge Caravan SXT 2005 Chevy Cobalt

10-22-2012, 11:00 AM	#5
Mike Community Director Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 6,128 Rep: 129	Thats possible as well. But that wouldn't make it howl. __________________ Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green, and the girls are pretty. \| Save a tree, support your local drag strip! Read the rules! \| DO NOT REPLY TO SPAM \| See a bad post? Just report it! Daily Driver: 1996 Chevy Blazer LT 4x4 - 235k miles Girlfriend's Car: 2003 Oldsmobile Alero GLS 3.4L 4 door - 130k miles Bike: 1981 Yamaha XS 400 [Almost ready!] Plow Truck: 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500 LT - 190k miles [6.0L, 4x4, ECSB, Eaton Rear Locker] Others: 2012 Chevy Cruze automatic, Sonic sedan manual, both 1.4 Turbo, LT trim

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Chevy 05 Chevy Aveo: Brakes or Bearing?

10-22-2012, 01:52 PM	#6
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	The howling is what led me to the wheel bearing in the first place. That's why I'm so confused. __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.

10-23-2012, 10:49 AM	#8
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	Neither. As I stated, I checked the wheel bearing by lifting the car and wiggling the wheel. Seemed solid. __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.

10-23-2012, 07:16 PM	#10
legoman786 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 571 Rep: 15	How do I do that? __________________ 2005 Chevy Aveo. Wife needed a car. Bleh.