Car is my beloved '87 240 Wagon. I am getting a low speed ticking noise from the front left. The noise stops when the brakes are pressed. So far I have only removed the wheel and done a quick inspection. The caliper is solidly attached.

With the wheel on and the tire on the ground I can put my foot on the top of the tire and there's a very small but noticeable movement (side to side) when I rock the tire. This is making me think it's a wheel bearing issue.

Car drives and handles fine other than the ticking. Sometimes the ticking is louder and more noticeable than other times. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

 

You need to rock the rim to check. the tires will flex, but I guess it can still show some possible wheel bearing play... If you have play, then yes. Replace them.


Or just remove the cotter pin and tighten it a little more. add some more grease and install the cap.


Or, you could also, remove the caliper and rotor, then remove the large spindle nut and pull the hub off. Then you could check it out. if it looks good in there, just re grease it and tighten it back up. Have a new set on hand just in case you need to replace them. They should not take long to replace. just rent a race puller and installer from autozone or something...

 

Wheel bearing failings usually give off a rumbling type sound at speed... not a "ticking noise". And you cannot push on the tire to get it to move unless the wheel is about to fall off. What you are describing sounds more like a suspension issue, may be a ball joint.

 

Thanks for the replies. This is definitely a tick tick tick that increases with speed. At above 40 mph the sound isn't noticeable. I was leaning toward wheel bearing because it stops when the brake is applied. My thinking was when the brake is applied it "trues" up if that makes sense. This weekend I plan on digging into it and I will report back.

 

If noise goes away when you apply the brakes, then it's probably in the caliper or other brake related.

 

The calipers and pads were in good shape. I removed the dust cover and tightened the castle nut about 1/4 turn and put in a new cotter pin. The noise is still there but much less noticeable.