What does a bad wheel bearing sound like?

18th February 2013, 18:02

I suspect I may have a bad wheel bearing but cannot find any play in the wheel, symptoms I am getting are a rotational rubbing/knocking and if I spin the wheel by hand it sounds rough when comparing to the other side.

Thanks as always

18th February 2013, 18:05

if its rough when spun up thats usually a wheel bearing gone, but sometimes the diff is felt through the suspension slightly

wheel bearings are more of a whirring noise when driving along

18th February 2013, 18:07

sounds like it to me

dont always have to have play to have a nackered one, play comes as you leave it longer and longer with out replacing it.

the initial sound of one going is like a fient grinding/whirring sort of sound.

my advice is leave it a couple more weeks or more and see if it gets louder/develops play, then you know you need to get it replaced

18th February 2013, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick_VTR

sounds like it to me

dont always have to have play to have a nackered one, play comes as you leave it longer and longer with out replacing it.

the initial sound of one going is like a fient grinding/whirring sort of sound.

my advice is leave it a couple more weeks or more and see if it gets louder/develops play, then you know you need to get it replaced

I have left it for a while now and the noise has slowly gotten worse but still no play yet, may leave it a bit longer and check again though, thanks

18th February 2013, 18:12

if a wheel bearing gets too bad it can wear away the hub unevenly, im not saying it will though

18th February 2013, 18:13

Like a grinding, whirring sort of noise.

18th February 2013, 18:24

You can feel a rumbling sensation after spinning the wheel from a knackered wheel bearing through the suspension strut/spring on the offending side.

Might be worth jacking her up and giving the wheel and spin and have a good listen and feel for vibration.

I've just done a wheel bearing on my S that had zero play, but was rumbling and grinding like hell even at low speeds.

18th February 2013, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by CbVtR

You can feel a rumbling sensation after spinning the wheel from a knackered wheel bearing through the suspension strut/spring on the offending side.

Might be worth jacking her up and giving the wheel and spin and have a good listen and feel for vibration.

I've just done a wheel bearing on my S that had zero play, but was rumbling and grinding like hell even at low speeds.

I've just done the same. No play just loads of grumbling noise that turns into a whirring as the speed increases

To check set the car into a corner at a bit of pace or slow weave side to side. As the weight loads the faulty bearing the noise will increase

18th February 2013, 20:47

Definitely sounds like its the bearing from all the comments it does get louder when cornering on that side and with speed, very grumbly! Hopefully get rid of that annoying noise soon then. Cheers everyone :-)

19th February 2013, 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by CbVtR

You can feel a rumbling sensation after spinning the wheel from a knackered wheel bearing through the suspension strut/spring on the offending side.

Might be worth jacking her up and giving the wheel and spin and have a good listen and feel for vibration.

I've just done a wheel bearing on my S that had zero play, but was rumbling and grinding like hell even at low speeds.

Yip no play for me either just a hell of a noise then eventually it will sound that bad that you can't miss it for a wheel bearing.

What a right good laugh I had fitting it without a press

Take it to the garage and get them to press it out and the new one in save yourself a whole lot of hassle.

I got 2 bearings for the front for £27 quid.It sounded like both sides were away but only the passengers side was fckt

19th February 2013, 16:48

when I checked out the noisey bearing that I'd replaced...if I spun it holding one side of the inner race on my finger it was silky smooth without any noise at all. Then when i spun it holding the inner of the other half....shit! it sounded like it was full of grit and made a right racket even just spinning it up on my finger. The difference was hard to believe

23rd February 2013, 16:22

Just thought I would update this as the problem has now been solved.. it was the N/S front wheel bearing making all the noise I didn't think a wheel bearing could cause such bad vibrations and noise but obviously they can so thanks all

23rd February 2013, 17:47

Sounds bad but so sweeeet once the new bearing is in.