Jeff -
You got it backwards:
Footbrake off rocking = something's loose
Footbrake ON / NO rocking = It's the bearings
Footbrake ON / STILL rocking = It's the kingpins, fulcrum pins,
bushings, etc.
(If there's still rocking with the footbrake on, but it's a lot less,
then you're looking at redoing the bearings AND the kingin
bushings/fulcrum pin, etc.)
Chris Kotting
ckotting@iwaynet.net
Jeff Boatright wrote:
>
> Could be a front wheel bearing. I had one go in a VW and it was very
> similar to what you describe. One way to test, but not foolproof, is to
> drive for a while and then check knock-off spinner or wheel for excessive
> heat with your hand. When my bearings went, they heated up. Of course, the
> real test is to jack up the front, place your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock
> positions on the tire, and see if you can rock it. If so, you have
> something loose. If the rocking persists even with someone stepping on the
> brakes, then it's more than likely the bearings. If the braking disallows
> rocking, then you need to check for wear in the lower link, lower swivel
> axle bush, or the shock link. This is from memory of reading the tech tips
> at an Australian spridgets site. Sorry, I don't have the URL on me.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Jeff
>
> >I've been running country-road shake-down drives on my Bugeye to get the
> >remaining 9-year-storage-related bugs out (had a float stick last night--
> >went through 1/4 tank of gas while looking for a place to pull off!).
> >
> >Anyway, I notice that there is a lot more "road noise" (a deep rumbling)
> >when making sweeping left turns on a winding highway road. The noise is
> >still there at a very reduced volume when going straight, and pretty much
> >goes away when making sweeping right turns. It doesn't really sound like a
> >bearing to me, but then I don't think I've ever heard a wheel bearing going
> >bad before, so I couldn't say for sure.
> >
> >Does anyone have any ideas?
> >
> >Thanks
> >
> >Tom Zuchowski
>
> Jeffrey H. Boatright, PhD
> Editor-in-Chief, Molecular Vision
> http://www.emory.edu/molvis
> "Seeing the Future in a Very Tiny Way"
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