Vibration at 70mph. Wheel bearing?

[CJG in WOB]

Well, I’ve finally got my 1985 Excel back on the road. Everything is fine so far, apart from a vibration between 115 and 130 km/h (not primarily through the steering wheel, but more generalised, so I presume it is coming from the rear axle). Additionally, I have noticed an occasional scraping noise from the right hand rear wheel, which comes and goes, but seems to occur only when the car is warm.

My obvious thought was that one of the rear wheels may be out of balance, as I have recently had a new set of Yokohamas fitted. It’s booked in for balancing on Thursday. If this doesn’t fix it, I suspect there could be an issue with the wheel bearing (although the car has only 39,000 km on the clock!). What do you think?

If it is the wheel bearing, it would be really nice if for once I didn’t have to import the parts from the UK (courier costs, import duty, long delays). Is there a standard part number for these bearings, so that I might possibly even find stock in Germany? Could it even be a Toyota part number?

Thanks.

[Pete Boole]

Also check the diff pinion bearings for wear - grab the diff end of the propshaft and check for movement. There should be no play at all - rotation only (with the wheels off the ground!).

Pete

[Alan_M]

Scraping likely to be warped brake disc or caliper sticking.
This can also cause vibration issues.
Check calliper is free and check run out in disc.

[Marten]

I suspect there could be an issue with the wheel bearing (although the car has only 39,000 km on the clock!). What do you think?

not necessarely a good thing for bearings, they like to spin occasionally to resdistribute the lubricant

If it is the wheel bearing, it would be really nice if for once I didn’t have to import the parts from the UK (courier costs, import duty, long delays). Is there a standard part number for these bearings, so that I might possibly even find stock in Germany? Could it even be a Toyota part number?

Toyota Celica MA61 accordng to a list I once downloaded

Also have a look at the propshaft, the U-joints can spin in the rubber isolator

[Hawaiis0]

Check tyre bulges and warped wheel. swap front to back

[CJG in WOB]

I hope there are no tyre bulges: the tyres are brand new!

[Hawaiis0]

I hope there are no tyre bulges: the tyres are brand new!

In that case check the balance weights haven't dropped off.

[CJG in WOB]

That was my first thought, hence the appointment at the tyre fitters on Thursday. Especially as there was no problem before the tyres were changed.

[CJG in WOB]

I had all four wheels balanced today. The left rear one (which I had suspected all along) actually needed its tyre removing and re-seating, along with an additional balancing weight. Smooth as silk at 70mph on the way home…

[Alan_M]

It’s always nice when it’s a simple answer.

[CJG in WOB]

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of it. Two days later, on the way back from a classic car meet, one of the rear wheel bearings began to disintegrate. Both are now being replaced (the other side was also beginning to fail). Lucky to have made it all the way to the garage without a recovery truck…