shinbo

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if y'all can help me diagnose the engine issue I am having. The gx currently has 96k miles and I am planning on doing a timing belt and water pump replacement as I plan on keeping it as long as possible.

One new issue that crept up is that when going down the hill the car engine sounds like it's actually accelerating and the RPM drops to as if it was idling. Normally when going down the hill it usually stays around 1 or 2 on the rpm, it's noticeably different and just started happening recently.

Anybody have any guesses on what might be the cause of this?

470SNC

you mean when the trans downshifts?

shinbo

Sorry I am not very mechanically inclined... Just that when you let off the gas going downhill... usually the RPM stays relatively high and not at the same rpm as when you are idling. But with my car the rpm when going downhill is basically the same rpm at idle, but the engine sounds like its going faster.

chiph9

It has a grade sensor, and will normally downshift when you tap the brakes going downhill. Try doing that.

Chip H.

shinbo

After not being able to diagnose the problem, I just decided to take it in for some 90k preventative maintenance anyways.

Timing belt, water pump, oil change, differential fluids, transfer case. And I don't really notice the RPM drop anymore

HOWEVER ... the engine noise is still there and after reading a bunch of forum topics. I think I am pretty confident in saying that the engine noise I am experiencing is a bad wheel bearing.

That being said I am obviously not mechanically inclined and will taking it to either the dealer or shops.

Can somebody explain to me if this is a job that any shop can do and doesnt require a dealer? I read a bunch about pressing and what not and I'm kind of confused what that means

chiph9

Any competent mechanic can replace a wheel bearing.

The bearings are a tight fit inside the wheel hub, and normally you use a hydraulic press to uhh, press them in. You want to use a press because it will (if used correctly) push the bearings in straight, so they're not ****-eyed.

In theory, you can use a very large socket and a small sledge to hammer them in, but that's not the best way to do it, as it's got way more chance of something going wrong. A press will be more steady & even.

Here's one from an S2000:

http://robrobinette.com/images/S2000...ntHubPress.jpg

Chip H.

shinbo

ohhh I see. From some of the other posts, it made it seem like it is something specific you request. So a hydraulic press should be a fairly common piece of equipment most mechanics have them right?

So if the bearings are bad, can they just press it back together or would I need to get an entire new bearing for the mechanic to replace it with?

Thanks Chip

shinbo

And what does repacking wheel bearings mean?

chiph9

You would use a new bearing. The part is around $180.

You could get it repacked (new grease put in) but afterwards you'd still be running on an old bearing and would likely end up replacing it soon afterwards anyway. You would maybe save $50, assuming the mechanic would be willing to do this (he may not, for liability reasons)

Chip H.