Hi guys, my right rear has been squealing fairly often over the last year or so and has gotten progressively worse. I thought it was the brakes, I checked the pads they were worn so changed them (they were worn slightly unevenly but nothing severe after 30,000 kms, that is a normal Fiat 500 thing I guess). Now the noise has almost gone away completely but it still comes now and again.

It did pass the MOT about 2 months ago, but i can't be for certain that the Greek MOT checks it properly = )


The noise is mainly when i am cruising (not accelerating or braking). When I brake the noise disappears completely.

Car has 130,000 kms. Could this be a wheel bearing? What are the symptoms generally so I know best.

Car otherwise feels completely normal, no wobbly anything.

Thanks!

Jack up that corner, grab the wheel top and bottom and try to 'rock' it, do the same side to side. If it moves, the bearing is shot.

Eklipze3k said:

Jack up that corner, grab the wheel top and bottom and try to 'rock' it, do the same side to side. If it moves, the bearing is shot.

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Ok will get the car serviced in the next month or two so will get it done then. They check that out in the general service of the car anyway. Thanks!

ahmett said:

I thought it was the brakes, I checked the pads they were worn so changed them (they were worn slightly unevenly but nothing severe after 30,000 kms, that is a normal Fiat 500 thing I guess). Now the noise has almost gone away completely but it still comes now and again.

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Wheel bearings can wear to the point of become excessively noisy without there being any detectable play. The 'gold standard test' is to completely remove the pads and spin the hub; if the noise is still there, then the wheel bearing needs replacement. That said, if changing the pads made a difference, then it's unliklely to be a wheel bearing.

Read this thread to find out what is most likely happening. Stripping, cleaning and properly lubricating the rear brakes will likely provide a lasting fix, but if the pads are just changed without doing the cleaning and lubrication, any improvement will only be temporary.

jrkitching said:

Wheel bearings can wear to the point of become excessively noisy without there being any detectable play. The 'gold standard test' is to completely remove the pads and spin the hub; if the noise is still there, then the wheel bearing needs replacement. That said, if changing the pads made a difference, then it's unliklely to be a wheel bearing.

Read this thread to find out what is most likely happening. Stripping, cleaning and properly lubricating the rear brakes will likely provide a lasting fix, but if the pads are just changed without doing the cleaning and lubrication, any improvement will only be temporary.

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We did move the disk you heard a slight noise but nothing much. No play. I will keep on driving it and if the noise gets really really bad I will get it checked out, and will mention it at the next service i plan on doing.

It's funny because its an on and off squeal, its not permanent otherwise the service tech would have heard it when he took my car for a test drive!

Until then I'll keep driving.

ahmett said:

It's funny because its an on and off squeal, its not permanent otherwise the service tech would have heard it when he took my car for a test drive!

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Further evidence that it's unlikely to be a wheel bearing; that would likely be permanently noisy.

Worn wheel bearings produce a drone, not a squeal.
If you've got a squeal, it isn't a bearing.

Mick.

Mick F said:

Worn wheel bearings produce a drone, not a squeal.
If you've got a squeal, it isn't a bearing.

Mick.

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thanks! yeah watched some youtube videos of worn wheel bearingsonline and the sound was much different. maybe its suspension related.

[ame]https://youtu.be/a_i9GWczJ8s[/ame]

AndyRKett said:

https://youtu.be/a_i9GWczJ8s

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yes completely different noise!