My wife has an 07 fit base and recently we have been hearing a "woo woo woo" sound coming from the front of the car and it turns into a sort of grinding sound when turning. We think its the wheel bearings going out for a couple reasons, first because we hear a similar sound once before a few years ago after getting the car worked on and the tech didn't properly tighten the hub so after 3 days the bearing went out. The other reason being it seems to match the descriptions of similar threads i have searched on this site. My main question is how hard is it to change the bearings and are there any special tools required. Thanks for the info, Justin

 

There's a backing plate behind the rotor. I had a rock get stuck behind this plate before that produced a similar sound. Could be your problem.

 

Probably there aren't any special tools needed. The only special tools would be an axle nut socket, breaker bar, Big Freaking Hammer, and maybe a specialty socket if Honda pulled a GM and made the nuts/bolts on it a funny specialty type.

Don't forget to unhook the battery so the ABS system doesn't go haywire on you when you disconnect the sensor.

 

Don't be saying "probably".

Honda wheel bearings often require the hub be removed and the bearing races gently pressed out.

Some Hondas use the wheel bearings to sense the wheel speed via ABS so those need to go in at the correct orientation.

I don't have a Fit shop manual, but I had an independent Honda shop change a wheel bearing on our Acura so that there wouldn't be any problems. I do all my own work otherwise...

 

The wheel bearing needs pressed out. Take the knuckle off with the ABS sensor attached (probably wont ever come out without breaking it) with the rotor removed. Press the hub out, and remove the bearing race stuck on it, i usually cut through the race with a cut off wheel and hit it with an air hammer, and it will crack and slide right off. Remove the snap ring. Press the old bearing out. Press the new bearing in with magnetic side facing the ABS sensor, replace snap ring. Press the hub back in. Be careful not to shatter the ABS sensor.

It will be difficult without the right tools and a press with the proper tooling. Bearings are easily destroyed without properly pressing them in.

The way I find bad wheel bearing without them having bad play yet is to get the vehicle in the air, have someone run the wheels up to about 60mph, and use a mechanics stethoscope or long flat head screwdriver, and listen to the back side of the knuckle. A good one will sound smooth, and a bad one will sound, well, bad.

 

ugh lame, any chance somebody on here has some diagrams of the hub and knuckle assembly. i'm thinking i might be able to do most of the removal labor and take the knuckle and hub to a shop and have them remove and press in the bearings. i don't really have the cash to have a shop do all the work and the sound is getting worse. Thanks again for the info, Justin

 

Thats what I would do if I were you. Removing the knuckle is easy. 2 bolts on the strut, lower ball joint, and tie rod end. And of course a couple brackets for the brake line and ABS wire, and you have to unplug the ABS sensor in the engine bay and feed it out. Then take the knuckle to a reputable shop with a new bearing, shouldnt take them more than 20 mins to get yo on your way, and make sure to tell them if they break the ABS sensor, theyre paying for a new one, because i do them all the time without breaking them, and a little patience goes a long way...

 

i didnt have the time or the ability once dismantled to make the parts to the repair shop, so i just had the shop do it. $168 for the labor to replace the bearing on the right side. Of course the next week work was slow and i would have had plenty of time to do it my self. whatever, car rides good as new now.

 

wheel bearings are a PITA, i know its not a Fit but my Maxima ate a bearing on right side....it was a total nightmare from all the nuts seized on, to the damn spline seized onto the hub and having to dissasemble the half shaft to remove the knuckle.

3 shops didnt even want to touch the knuckle.... "oh we remove the hub and bearings while on the car, you shouldnt have taken it off"

anywho, g/fs RSX is very similar to the fit and i will have to do her bearings soon. Thats gonna be a shop job....its not worth it.