Technical Wheel Bearing? Check my reasoning...

[thooms]

Hi folks,

The Pandasaurus has recently developed a whirring noise from the front right wheel.

I'm 99% sure that's what it is, but before I spend the cash, can anyone check my reasoning quickly?

So...

- Speed dependent whirring noise (not grinding or whistling)
- Present when going straight or turning right
- Doesn't change with gear selection or when coasting
- Stops if I turn right / brake
- Swapped tyres around and it's still there in the same place
- Unsure if there's movement in the hub (the strut has a bit of wear in it - planning to replace next week. The wheel moves a bit, but I'm not sure if it's the strut or the bearing - probably both )

...so I'm thinking it is the bearing. The fact that the changing load shuts it up seems to make sense with that. It doesn't clunk / do anything funny at low speeds which might be expected of a CV joint?

Keen to get it fixed ASAP - I read on the forum a few mentions of chocolate wheel bearings etc. - any recommended brands? Haven't come across any from the usual suspects (SKF, Timken etc.) - just pseudo brands on eBay. Will I be doing it again in 6 weeks if I fit this one fr'instance?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-WHEEL-BEARING-KIT-LANCIA-SEAT-FIAT-8210-/371150731656?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Model%3APanda&hash=item566a4eb988

Thanks

 

[firstcar-Y10]

Well that's one of 2 bearings I've bought for Roofus and so far so good, although it has only been on for a month or 2. Bought the other side from here though and it turned up a lot faster:






http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390551057510?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Having said that I'd have a good look at what's going on in that corner first, if the bearing's worn you should be able to tell if you jack up the corner and spin/wiggle the wheel, make sure there's nothing rubbing or anything.

 

[panda1408]

If you can hear it whilst driving you will be able to hear/feel it when you spin the wheel with the car jacked up, there won't necessarily be any play in it. Can sometimes help to remove the brake pads if you are struggling to identify the noise of the bearing over the noise of the pads on the disc.

Everything you have said does point to the bearing though in my opinion

 

[andyholli]

If you listen carefully there's usually a difference between turning left and turning right. - Slightly more noticeable when the dodgy bearing is loaded on the outside of the curve and slightly quieter when the weight comes off and it's on the inside of the turn.

But if you're not sure yet, you can always leave it for a few weeks until you are confident. - As it gets more worn the noise will be easier to pinpoint and the chances of catastrophic failure are pretty slim..

Probably.

 

[thooms]

Let's go nuts - I'll get one on order! Hasty delivery sounds good - I'll go for that one, firstcar-Y10.

These situations always bring on acute bouts of the 'while I'm in there' syndrome - so while I do the bearing and the struts I'll sling some Spax springs and new rear shocks on at the same time. It'd be rude not to, really...

Thanks for the advice panda1408, the pads were making more noise than anything else when I had the car jacked up - I'll do a final check with the pads off when I change the struts to make sure I'm not accidentally changing the wrong one somehow.

andyholli - good to know that catastrophic disassembly is probably not going to happen Interesting that mine seems to be doing the opposite - it gets quieter when it's loaded? Maybe the added load forces it to behave itself or something? I might see if I can convince someone to drive it round the block while I have a listen from the other side of the car.

Maybe I've got the wrong side - it really sounds like it's coming from the front right - but there's a bit of play in the the struts on both sides