I have a 1998 Chevy 2-dr Tahoe (no 4-wheel drive). There appears to be grease all over the rim of the front passenger tire. It's not the standard residue buildup from the brakes. This is a thick black substance which appears to be some type of grease. It only appears on the one side, the driver side appears normal (no streaking on the rim). There is also a growling sort of sound coming from the same tire when making a sharp left turn. Sound disappears when driving straight.
Inner, (Large), wheel bearing has failed. This has caused the grease seal to fail.
Solution is to replace the bearing, and seal.
1.Check the bearing race in the brake rotor. If any pits, scoring, or other evidence of break down is present, the bearing race must be replaced also.
2.Check the outer wheel bearing and bearing race also. The inner bearing receives the most wear, but cleaning, and inspection of both bearings, and races is a standard procedure.
3.Observe the area on the spindle where the grease seal contacts. Insure that the spindle area is of good repair, and no scoring is evident.
The Black residue that you observe is grease mixed with brake dust.
The vehicle must be jacked up in the front, with safety stands placed in the proper area on both sides. Wheel chocks should be used behind the rear tires. The vehicle should be on a flat hard surface.
The wheel/tire is removed, then the brake caliper. The caliper is not removed from the brake hose, but hung from a hanger device, from the frame of the vehicle. (Small rubber tie down strap? Wire clothes hanger?)
Then the dust cap is removed, cotter pin, and spindle nut. Ease the brake rotor out, be ready to catch the outer bearing. Remove the brake rotor.
Rotor laying on two small wood blocks, (2x4's? 4x4?), blocks under rotor face. (Where the brake pads rub against)
Blocks placed so area of grease seal is not resting on them. Rotor is laying on blocks with outside of rotor facing up. (Outside of rotor faces outside of Tahoe)
Take a long punch, and tap out the grease seal from the inside of the rotor. Through the hole where the spindle goes through. Be careful that the punch is resting on the metal ring of the seal, and not the bearing race edge.
Suspect faulty wheel bearings.raise vehicle with the jack,check for excess 'play' when raised tire is pushed & pulled,top to bottom & fore and aft.
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