Hey guys ! It's been a while since I was here. I know this is the place to ask KIA questions. I have had a great time driving my 2WD manual trans 2000 Sportage for the 15K miles I've had it. It has always had drive train noise that I can hear echoing off brick bldgs when I drive by them (and concrete medians on the hwy etc.) if you know what I mean. I ask about it here once before and the guys said noise was normal on the Sportages. Well...I have had some whiney, growly sounds lately mostly when cold and it sort of radiates through the floor coming from the rear end area. I have checked the rear end grease both when I got the truck and of course, again now. It's full and has never had a leak at all. I felt the housing and it doessn't feel hot at the gears or at the outer bearing area. I think it may be an outer bearing going out. I felt it tighen up once when I let out the clutch and then losened up again. (sorta like it was a rear bad bearing ready to go out.) Now for the few short trips to the store during the last few days it has gotten quiet again. Man ! I guess I'll have to wait for it to get worse to fully diagnose it. I use the KIA only after work and to run errands so it isn's always even driven every day.
Are the outer wheel bearings like I would expect like a Chevy or a Ford? I never had to work on any rear ends with my Toyotas or Mazdas that I've had. Is the outer bearing retained by the backing plate behind the rear brake shoes like most? Is there some type of retainer pin in the rear end gear box like a Chevy? I think I can handle an outer bearing okay, but If that's the problem, it would help to know if I need to open up the pumpkin. How hard is it?
If it's a gear or bearing problem in the rear gear box, well....I may just get a used one to drop in....
I''ll have to wait to diagnose it til it gets worse, I guess. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Any comments?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
-Patman in OKC
