Just Picked Up An Arx

[polyarkos]

Hi Guys and Gals,

JP here, thought I'd introduce myself.

As the title shows I've just bought a 3.5l ARX. Fresh import from Japan with 93,000km in silver with black leather interior and all the electro gizmos (including indicators on the mirrors). Having come from a 2005 Legacy GT I'm very happy with how this car runs and the trim level.

So far its had:

- Engine oil (15w40), air and oil filters done

- New brake pads all round with new rear rotors and machined fronts

- Interior lights changed to LEDs

- Reverse lights changed to LEDs

- MAF and throttle body cleaned

- New Enasave tires on factory wheels (not my preferred choice)

My to-do list is:

- Diff/transfer case oil changes

- Transcooler and Transgo shift kit with fluid change

- "Z-tube" and plenum spacer, just cos I can

- Upgrade the Bose stereo to a 2din head unit/screen

- Change the oil to 5w30 or 0w30

- Spark plugs

Currently I have a minor issue. The engine sounds like its revving very high, like a whining or supercharger sound that increases with speed from 40kph (even though the tach is saying its under 2000 rpm). I'm thinking either the brakes are sticking (they haven't bedded in yet), the wheel bearing are shot, or possibly the tires are just loud.

Is there any way to confirm this before taking it into a garage? Its loud, and coming from a car with a full 3" exhaust it is very noticeable.

Anyway, I'll post some pics up shortly. Thanks in advance for any advice or ideas on the above issue.

JP

Edited June 22, 2014 by polyarkos

[mxfly]

If the whining noise is noticeable while cornering, then it's the wheel bearings. It's rare to have both sides go at the same time.

[polyarkos]

If the whining noise is noticeable while cornering, then it's the wheel bearings. It's rare to have both sides go at the same time.

Its loud and noticeable even when driving in a straight line, I'll check if it gets worse when cornering tomorrow.

Thanks

[Daleo]

Sounds a lot more like noisy tyres to me, are they just cheapy compliance tyres?

A noisy wheel bearing will also tend to manifest under braking as well.

Good luck with it, welcome to the forum.

[polyarkos]

Sounds a lot more like noisy tyres to me, are they just cheapy compliance tyres?

A noisy wheel bearing will also tend to manifest under braking as well.

Good luck with it, welcome to the forum.

Its noticeable from 40kpm upwards whether I'm accelerating, cruising or braking.

I'm not sure about the tires, they are Dunlop RV503 Enasave. They were on the vehicle when it arrived of the boat, basically new with a lot of tread - supposedly an fuel saving tire.

Will check tire pressure tomorrow, maybe that will help. As far as I can find the 4wd Infiniti G35 hubs and bearings share the same part number 40202-24U00 so possibly a DIY fix.

Edited June 22, 2014 by polyarkos

[Hertz Donut]

I've got Enasaves on mine (fitted when it came into the country) and I haven't found them to be very noisy at all. They also grip far better than I would have expected them to.

[polyarkos]

I took the long way to work to see if the noise got worse with aggresive cornering and breaking. Seems to make the same sound the whole time from 40kph upwards, accelerating, cruising or braking.

I'll see if a garage can give some advice.

[polyarkos]

Checked the tire pressures tonight, all 4 sitting on 28psi. Pumped them up to 40psi and the car seemed less noisy, but not by much. I'll see how it goes over the next week and I might even see some improvement in economy too.

[polyarkos]

Looks like its the wheel bearings, going to chase the dealer to cover the cost of repairs.

[andy65b]

Wheel bearings failing at 93'000km's...... That is not a good sign for the accuracy of the km's the car has travelled.

My 03 ARX had 169'000km on mine when sold and had no problems with wheel bearings.

[polyarkos]

Wheel bearings failing at 93'000km's...... That is not a good sign for the accuracy of the km's the car has travelled.

My 03 ARX had 169'000km on mine when sold and had no problems with wheel bearings.

Personally I don't think there are many cars coming into NZ with legit KMs. I am yet to find a dealer that will provide the auction sheets if requested.

Having said that the car looks in really good condition and I do expect stuff to wear out (at least I know I'm good for a while when they are replaced).

[Artwear]

Hey mate, I have the identical issue with my axis. Over 40ks and it sounds like a airplane bout to take off! Have had tyres rotated, balanced and camber adjusted all to no avail. Also had 3 diffrent mechanics drive it and all conclude its tyres. Havent had coin to change em, so cant confirm or deny it being the fix. But im in the same boat and tyre's would be my outsourced opinion.

[Artwear]

Also if u do get new bearings and fixes the issue can u post the supplier details. Cheers

Edited June 25, 2014 by Artwear

[polyarkos]

Hey mate, I have the identical issue with my axis. Over 40ks and it sounds like a airplane bout to take off! Have had tyres rotated, balanced and camber adjusted all to no avail. Also had 3 diffrent mechanics drive it and all conclude its tyres. Havent had coin to change em, so cant confirm or deny it being the fix. But im in the same boat and tyre's would be my outsourced opinion.

This is exactly whats happened to mine. I got a garage to check the bearings as a road test was not conclusive. Spoke to Dunlop and they say the tyres are supposed to be very quiet....unless they have begun to sepparate.

Put the car on stands, remove the tyres and see if there is play in the bearings are they are noisy or catching when you rotate the axle. This will help to narrow things down.

[scotty nm35]

I have changed many front wheel bearings on these, new and old. They seem to wear out quickly, especially if they were replaced by incompetent mechanics. Bearings need to be pressed in correctly or they will make the same noise as the old bearings and quickly fail.

You can't always feel slop in the bearing as there are two races, unless one race has failed completely.

Can't you just borrow a set of wheels of someone to try?