Symptoms of wheel bearings failing

Matt

What are the symptoms when a wheel bearing starts to fail? I've got a slight whine that you can just about hear in the cabin, when going above 40mph in any gear (and in neutral), that gets higher in pitch the faster you go.

Daz

Wheel bearing is ususlly a droning noise matt

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IDI_AMIN

That is one of the symptoms matt plus when the steering is full lock but the sounds of it i will take a guess and say what you are describing is a rear wheel bearing though you shouldn't hear anything when in neutral

Matt

Hmm, actually it is more of a whine, it's hard to describe though, as it's quite faint, but is a bit louder if you open the glove box.

MikeS

i use to notice a bearing fail at lower speeds say around 30 mph and as it got worse it use to increase in noise throughout the speed range

jack the car up and give the wheel a tug, you will notice play

Matt

MikeS said:
jack the car up and give the wheel a tug, you will notice play

I did that earlier on as I was rotating the wheels around, and there was no play

MikeS

if you turn the wheel slowly sometimes you can feel like a slight grinding as if there is no grease in the bearing

Matt

MikeS said:
if you turn the wheel slowly sometimes you can feel like a slight grinding as if there is no grease in the bearing

Thanks Mike, will give that a try later on today or tomorrow.

evocarlos

was going to say 12'n'6 o clock to check for wheel bearing movement
as said normal signs are droning

instructional video
the correct way to check 🙂 don't hurt your neck watching the vid lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5G1_w_N7IE

Matt

Thanks Carl, will take a look again tomorrow. I was almost tempted to fit the drop links in that box :-)

evocarlos

no problem 🙂
go for it you can always get me more im still on the collecting parts stage so wont need them for a week or so

Matt

I checked mine while I had the wheels off this afternoon, and they seem Ok (only been on 17 months). Think I'll look at doing what you are eventually and have it all replaced.

MikeS

could be a tyre

Matt

MikeS said:
could be a tyre

I've swapped the tyres around (front to back) and it's still making the same noise. I might just turn the stereo up and forget about it for a while.

corsaZ22se

did you back the brakes right off when you checked the wheel bearings? push the pads as far in as you can then spin the wheel. you need the wheel on to get a better feel. may not be any play just dry bearings as mikes said.

Matt

I've not had a proper chance to look yet (I can barely walk after this Sundays run 🙁), so it's going to be next week before I get chance.

astra22bertoneauto

It could also be a whining gearbox. When was the last time you changed the oil?

Or most prob slave cylinder bearing??

PowR_Remap

If its the front usually when you turn one way the sound disappears but turn the other it should get louder, thats usually how to determine what side it is, unless its the rear. Bearings, they used to sound like loud humming that gets faster in my old Reno 19 16v's

Matt

astra22bertoneauto said:
It could also be a whining gearbox. When was the last time you changed the oil?

Or most prob slave cylinder bearing??

Defo not the gearbox. It's only been 18 months since I last changed the oil, and it does it in neutral as well.

astra22bertoneauto

Matt said:
Defo not the gearbox. It's only been 18 months since I last changed the oil, and it does it in neutral as well.

Slave cylinder?? does it make a noise with clutch pressed down whilst going along?