2003 Buick Lesabre 3.8L Check Engine Soon alone with Gas Cap Loose. Both have been on for about three years.
Question: My 2003 Buick Lesabre is making noise. I thought it sounded like a wheel bearing. This was confirmed by a mechanic at a Firestone store. What I'd like to know is how do I determine which wheel it is and how difficult is it to change or should i get a mechanic to fix the car?
Answer: The best way to determine what front side hub bearing is bad is to drive at a speed where the noise is present. Then make a sort of swooping turn. Similar to getting off the expressway.The rule of thumb is that if when turning right, if the noise goes away or gets less, then the right bearing is bad. This is because turning right takes the load off the right front bearing because of body roll. Same thing for the left side.
This rule for a noisy hub bearing applies to really any car or truck. A good thing to remember.
These hubs can be a little difficult to replace. Bolts are very tight. First, remove the brakes and the rotor. Next, remove the large center axle nut. Then the three 15mm head bolts on the back of the spindle. The spindle is the large part the hub bolts to. Now pound out the hub off the axle shaft and from the spindle. Using a large pry bars between the hub and the spindle will help free it up. If it is very solid, then a torch to apply some heat may be needed. A mechanic will charge you about 2 hours labor to do this repair.
Buick Lesabre Gas Cap Problem
2003 Buick Lesabre Engine Size : 3.8. Question Here: gas cap will not stay tight I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE LASTED ABOUT TWO DAYS COULD THE FILLER TUBE THAT GOES TO THE GAS TANK BE BAD.
Answer: Yes, most likely the filler neck is bent or rusted up. It can be replaced separately from the tank. This is a Dealer only part and most likely would have to be ordered. The labor to repair this is usually removing the gas tank, but a good mechanic can get that part out with doing that. If they do have to remove tank, be ready to pay extra labor since there will most likely be a lot of rust under your Buick.
