Hello all,

Ive got a very loud high pitched noise coming from my wheels at the front of the vehicle. It gets loud when im doing 1-10mph but gets quieter and eventually vanishes when i increase in speed.
I have a feeling it may be the wheel bearings.

just abit of history about the car lol (and being a punto its a long list)
- ive had this sound for over 4 months now
- ive also got a howling noise when I bring the clutch to the bite, only when im moving off going up a hill
- i had a power steering failure for a few weeks about a month ago, that seems to have gone for now
- brake pads were changed just over a year ago, front and back

anyway, i have spoken to my local garage and he said he would have to take it out for a drive to see for himself.

any idea what the problem is ?
cheers,
Jack

Edit* also, its louder when im turning left, and it sometimes goes when i turn to the right. another point, only happens when its wet or very cold outside.

Sounds very much like the bearings if it is definately coming from the wheels, either that or you have something rubbing the wheel.

Other squeels can come from the timing belt tensioner so as long as you are sure the wheels are the cause you won't go spending a fortune. The haynes manual lists how to check the bearings like how they are done in the MOT (it's in the MOT section surprisingly, not troubleshooting)

5abr3 said:

Sounds very much like the bearings if it is definately coming from the wheels

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well all i know is its coming from the front, i presume its the wheels cant think of anything else

I would imagine it is to do with the wheels as it changes pitch dependant on the direction of your steering!

Any idea on a price for wheel bearings? should i get them ordered through my garage or myself? any links to this would be appreicated.

2003 punto 1.2L 8V 5 door

andrewsj said:

Any idea on a price for wheel bearings? should i get them ordered through my garage or myself? any links to this would be appreicated.

2003 punto 1.2L 8V 5 door

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Search on shop4parts, it depends on whether you have ABS or not and whether it is a mk2 or a mk2b. Their prices are showing at about £25 per bearing, I paid £20 for a bearing on a Metro so that seems somewhat right but a Motorfactors may be able to better that!

Edit: Search term 'wheel bearing', page 4ish onwards