96 Sebring Conv. jx

Hi, I'm hoping someone could help.
I was hearing this low rumble coming from the front of the car just before
the brakes stopped the car, and thought it was a broke up brake pad. Well,
the pads are OK but the inside of the drivers side rim was coated with old,
black grease that looked like it was there for quite a while. It coated the
parts behind the brakes, too.
The axle boots seem intact and the axle had no play, but not sure of how to
check that anyway.
Does the front bearing have that much grease in it to cause this if the seal
went bad, or is it coming from an outside axle knuckle somehow? It was a
mess to clean up. Is this another big repair job to look forward to? I just
had an axle seal replaced about a month ago, which fixed a drip, and the
power steering hose developed a pinhole leak and had to be replaced.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks, Rick
4-cyl, 125,000 miles.

 

I have a 97 and what you are hearing and seeing is a lot like what happened
to me when the front bearings went. The seals fail, the grease works its way
out, moisture gets in, and there goes the bearing.

I ended up replacing both left and right hubs as they generally come as one
piece hubs. I have seen postings of people who have just replaced the
bearings but they are not available through the dealer.

Check out http://www.sebringclub.net and search the archives, you'll find
plenty of reading material.

 

Thanks for the info. That website indicated that a lot of swearing, sweating
and beating with sledgehammers is needed to replace the bearings. I'll
probably let a garage do it this time.
Rick