Thread: Car Problems.

Well, because personal liability I do not like advice but my two cents:

1. Wheel bearing can heat up to point that will start destroying other metal parts off the car (wheel bearing has one of the hardest metals) and wheel can fell off axle.
2. Fix is ASAP as you might end up with costly wheel hub replacement if you wait to long.

Br

With so many responses, one might think this was a Mazda forum!

I didn't see anyone mention jacking up that corner and physically moving the wheel with your hands. Have you done that? Being an FF (you don't have the AWD do you?), you should have no issue rotating the rear wheel and trying to jiggle it in directions. Also, if your not sure about the corner, jack up the others and check them as well.

My initial thought was e-brake disfunction in the drum. I thought these cars had disc rear with drum ebrake? With the car up, rotating the wheel and feeling the dull pressure in your hands might help diagnose that. Also, with the car down, try going in reverse a bit and using only the ebrake to slow to a stop. Likewise, reverse a bit and use regular brakes to stop. Hell, go forward and try stopping with only the ebrake. Feel anything weird with that, then maybe brakes. Reverse and ebrake is a good diagnoses of brake issues I feel.

To answer the actual question - I would still drive to work and back, but not much more. Be safe and provide a cushion for the traffic around you. Avoid freeway speeds if possible. Save some money so you can afford the repair. Some mechanics will drive your car for free and others will put it on the lift for free. Find those guys. =)