Virginia Donkey

First off, hello!
This is my first post. I just purchased a 1998 RL with 120K miles. Car is in good shape and had all maintenance records which kind of swayed the purchase.

Anyway, I think I have a front wheel bearing going bad. I have a slight rumble above 30mph and the wheel feels real warm (the other side is no where near as warm) at the hub after a 15 minute drive.

Has anyone had the bearing replaced and how much did it set you back?

Thanks in advance!

Big Green Acura

Could it be an issue with the brakes? I had that happen with the brakes. I had a shoe hanging and it got hot and sounded like there was a freight train in the distance.

Virginia Donkey

After driving it again this morning, I think you may be right. I felt the wheel as soon as I parked it and it was hottest at the caliper and the hub was cool. 5 minutes later, the hub was warm .....I guess its a great heat sink!

So now, I will just pull the wheel and check it out and see if its the pads or the caliper.

Thanks!

Virginia Donkey

UPDATE:
I went ahead and replaced the front pads. I had a hard time getting the piston of the drivers side caliper to retract. I had to open the bleeder valve before it would retract. After about halfway, it went in real easy. It was obviously sticking. I was going to replace the rotor, but I could not get the screws in the rotor to come out so I skipped it.

Drove the car after the pad replacement and now both sides are nice and cool and I am missing a lot of shimmy I was blaming on tires.

Now I have to do the back brakes because I just noticed the right rear is warm after driving and I am getting a shimmy there too.

If it happens again, I will just replace the caliper.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Next on the list: left front ABS sensor

rl4rheel

FYI, I had both my front wheel bearings replaced. Bought the OEM parts through a hook-up (I think $75) and installed at a garage for $120. I know it would've cost waaaayyyyyy more at the stealership. I even got a quote at a "Acura-Honda specialist" and they quoted me $150 a side not including parts!

Virginia Donkey

I found a local garage here that will install customer parts. Since this car seems pretty easy to work on mechanically, they shouldn't have any issues fixing things like wheel bearings and CV axles.

I still gotta do my rear pads...I will get to them Monday since i am stuck working all weekend

Big Green Acura

I drove about 25 miles at 55mps and when I got back my rim was so hot I could feel ther heat radiating off of it. New brakes and it was all better. My local store found Baer pads and some nice upgrade calipers.

mr.sinister

im not too sure how much it would cost i had to replace an axle on a maxima it was around $325 part an labor not to sure how much for the ac i would try something simple like making sure the lugs on the wheel is tight this has happened to me before an that was the problem.

Virginia Donkey

I replaced the front and rear brake pads, and 2 of the tires. Aside from the one caliper that was sticking, it all went smooth.
So far, everything is fine, car rides fine and the the calipers/hubs only get warm during a good bit of around town driving. Highway driving and the wheels are cool.

Thanks for the tips, and I guess we won't talk too much since these cars seem very reliable!