Technical Driveshaft noise

[stilo27]

I have a 1.6 Dynamic (52 plate) 3 door, and its developed a slight metal grinding noise which seems to increase in volume as the car speeds up, and seems worst at around 50mph. I can't work out if its coming from the front or back of the car. It kind of sounds like a worn driveshaft, metal wearing against metal sound, but when I check the drive shafts by driving the car slowly with the steering lock full left or right, I don't get any terrible noises suggesting there is a problem here. The car has only done 18K miles too.

There is also a slight patter noise, as if say a large chunk of chewing gum was on the bottom of a tyre (except there isn't). I recently had new tyres fitted to the rear (there were worn out), but no change in the sound. The front tyres are like new too, and none of the tyres have any unusual wear patterns either.

I'm wondering if it could be a wheel bearing ?? The noise stays the same whether I try to accelerate or dab the brakes while driving, and seems to just depend on the speed the wheels rotate at.

Any ideas ?

Cheers,
Jon.

 

[DOG]

this is unlikely to be a driveshaft or wheel bearing noise, more likely a brake problem. it sounds like a stone or something has become lodged in the backplate. jacking each wheel and rotating by hand should, if it is this, locate the problem.

 

[SLOVAC]

I'm with DOG on this one... it's most probably something to do with the brakes, or the brake caliper on one one of the wheels.
Did this just start happening all of a sudden, or did it evolve from a whining sound to a grinding sound?

 

[stilo27]

Yes, the noise sort of appeared straight away. I noticed it when driving on a smooth bit of road first.

I hadn't thought of the brakes. I'll take the wheels off and have a look this weekend.

Thanks,
Jon.

 

[nelsonrocha]

My car use to do the same noise with 40.000 Km, in the left rear wheel, I've payed aprox 130 Euros to replace the wheel bearing at my Fiat local dealer, and now it's ok. They explain me that is a little bit expensive because this wheel bearing have a special design to work with the ABS system.

Regards

 

[stilo27]

Yes, it does seem to have a more bearing sound to it rather than the brakes. Perhaps with the brakes, you would expect the noise to be less consistant, as either the stone, or the thing its rubbing against wears.

I'll get my local Fiat dealer to take a look. Its under the 3rd year warranty. As I only bought it from them in September, I'll be looking for a solution at minimal cost !

Thanks,
Jon

 

[stilo27]

Just got round to getting a dealer to look at this, as the noise was starting to get louder.

It is a wheel bearing, and is covered by the 3rd year warranty. Only I've got to bring it in next week again as they have to order the part.

Glad its now going to be sorted.

For the record, the noise is a warbling grinding noise between 50 to 80 mph. Which doesn't change when accelerating or braking, or even cornering.

 

[StiloBoy]

Well personally i wouldn't go tearing about at 80mph with a dodgy wheel bearing!

Wheel bearing wear is common in mini's and i've seen mini's loose a entire wheel and all associated gubbins if not changed in a timely manner! I've also suffered a wheel bearing failure where all felt ok but was a bit noisy until the steering felt funny, luckily i was only doing 20mph when it happened.

Although granted i just had my mini on a rolling road with another slightly gammy bearing! Knocked off 1bhp by the way!

 

[stilo27]

I'll take it steady !

The dealer (Fish Bro in Swindon) told me the car is fine to drive until the bearing comes in, so thats OK by me.

I picked the car up this morning, and they had washed it and hoovered the inside too. That was a nice suprise. I'm normally very sceptical of main dealers, and their poor customer service in general, but at least Fish Bro made an effort in this case.