> From:    Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
> Date:    Sat, 16 Jun 2007 18:23:36 -0700
>
> I'm wondering if someone can tell me whether the noise I'm hearing
> from my left front wheel is a cv joint, a wheel bearing, a brake
> issue, a rock in my tire or a yellow bellied undercarriage van pecker.

I was once riding in a Datsun that set up an almighty (and continuous)
racket from one of the front wheels.  When we got where we were going,
we popped off the front hubcaps... one of them had a lug nut rattling
around in it!  The stud and nut threads were OK; the nut was reinstalled
and all nuts were torqued and there were no further incidents.

My point being: check the easy stuff first.  Like: gravel stuck in tire
tread?  Mud/sticks/crap (or loose parts) on suspension that are contacting
tire or wheel?  You might take off the wheel and make sure there's not a
lot of crap or rust where the wheel seats down on the hub - if you're
really into it, make the same check on the hub/disc and maybe adjust the
wheel bearing.  Clean up the wheel, get a strong light, and inspect
around the lug holes and center hole for cracks.  Put the wheel back on,
torque the nuts, but leave the hubcap (if so equipped) off, and see what
happens.

You may not find a "smoking gun", but you can probably eliminate enough
easy stuff to make you feel better about tearing into the bearings, CV
joints, etc.  Or maybe the additive package in the wheel bearing grease
you're using is especially tasty to the yellow-bellied van pecker.

Matt Roberds