Technical Fiat Panda - Front Wheel Bearing

[JAMLAX]

My main question is: How many thousand miles should I drive with a 'rumbling' wheel bearing?

I suspect the front offside needs replacing soon, judging by the pronounced noise - its especially noisy whenever (ever so slightly) I ease the steering towards the left. The main clue was when I eased off the throttle, reducing speed from 70 mph to 50 mph approaching a roundabout...very obvious noise! My brother mechanic had previously mentioned he suspected a wheel bearing might be on the way out.

Am I right in thinking a completely worn out wheel bearing can overheat to the point where the wheel hub shears and the wheel hub collapses?

 

[DaveMcT]

I used this method on my neglected 100HP brake callipers to use them on the Multijet. They were mechanically good but cosmetically (very) not good.

 

[koalar]

My main question is: How many thousand miles should I drive with a 'rumbling' wheel bearing?

I suspect the front offside needs replacing soon, judging by the pronounced noise - its especially noisy whenever (ever so slightly) I ease the steering towards the left. The main clue was when I eased off the throttle, reducing speed from 70 mph to 50 mph approaching a roundabout...very obvious noise! My brother mechanic had previously mentioned he suspected a wheel bearing might be on the way out.

Am I right in thinking a completely worn out wheel bearing can overheat to the point where the wheel hub shears and the wheel hub collapses?

Worn bearings are a MOT failure, because they are a safety concern

They let go in several way, including brake failure and wheel separation

Normally its the cage that breaks up, lock the wheel sold

If you are lucky it at slow speed and you are left stranded

But it could spear you off the road causing an accident, further damage to car and or injuries

 

[JAMLAX]

Well, thanks everyone -
for all the helpful and interesting discussion angles on front wheel bearings/wheel bearings.
Perhaps I can 'bow out' from 'stretching out' this particular thread by concluding my contributions with:
SAFETY FIRST - ALWAYS THE PRIORITY
... "now, what was that review I haven't yet got round to!"