Hi there
750cc Panda fire LHD
My Panda just went through its mot a couple of weeks ago. Gearbox a bit clunky but engine runs sweet. Took it for a good run recently and ever since I have this intermittent bearing noise I can't track down. Any ideas would be gratefully accepted.
It is a low howel - sounds exactly like a wheel bearing beginning to go - from the front right somewhere that comes on at anything over 20mph with turns to the left (and now also anything slightly left of centre). Seems that ordinary pootling around doesn't start it off - can have days without the noise. But a good run up to speed starts it off and it's then with the car for the rest of the day.
The fact it happens intermittently and only to the left seems to rule out constant things like a rubbing belt, gearbox, thrust-bearing etc.
Obviously thought it was a wheel bearing to begin with, however, the minute you press the clutch (during the noise) the noise stops instantly. Engine can idle or rev - no noise as long as clutch is in. No noise at low speeds clutch in or out, revs high or low.
So that seems to rule out wheel bearing, dragging brake, or any engine part also.
Pretty stuck for ideas now - what else could it be? What part is driven or engaged only when the clutch is out, that would suffer pain only in lh corners, slight or otherwise, over 20mph? Weird!
Thanks for any help
Joe
750cc Panda fire LHD
My Panda just went through its mot a couple of weeks ago. Gearbox a bit clunky but engine runs sweet. Took it for a good run recently and ever since I have this intermittent bearing noise I can't track down. Any ideas would be gratefully accepted.
It is a low howel - sounds exactly like a wheel bearing beginning to go - from the front right somewhere that comes on at anything over 20mph with turns to the left (and now also anything slightly left of centre). Seems that ordinary pootling around doesn't start it off - can have days without the noise. But a good run up to speed starts it off and it's then with the car for the rest of the day.
The fact it happens intermittently and only to the left seems to rule out constant things like a rubbing belt, gearbox, thrust-bearing etc.
Obviously thought it was a wheel bearing to begin with, however, the minute you press the clutch (during the noise) the noise stops instantly. Engine can idle or rev - no noise as long as clutch is in. No noise at low speeds clutch in or out, revs high or low.
So that seems to rule out wheel bearing, dragging brake, or any engine part also.
Pretty stuck for ideas now - what else could it be? What part is driven or engaged only when the clutch is out, that would suffer pain only in lh corners, slight or otherwise, over 20mph? Weird!
Thanks for any help
Joe