Wheel bearings....

[dannyboy172]

Being a complete techy nonce, how can you tell if their fcuked? I'm getting a few odd rubbing/humming (techincal description ) from the drivers front wheel noticible on straight roads at 40 to 60mph. You can easily hear it as it is fairly loud.

So is this a bearing coming to the end of its life? If so are they expensive to replace?

Ta,
Dan

 

[V1NNY]

iirc you jack up the car and give the wheel a shake and see if theres any play/movement

 

[Cup ov Ste 53]

Does the noise change when you steer ? Is it lowered ? Changing the suspension geometry ( by lowering ) can play havoc with WBs on some cars (not sure about clio) because the bearing's not been loaded ( with force ) like it was designed to be.....
or could be (C.v joint ? brake pad loose ?)

 

[dannyboy172]

The car is lowered on Apex (-40mm). It does change when i steer and its only noticible on the straights. I'll jack the car up later and investigate. Thanks for the advice

 

[Dan@SJM]

also spin it, you may well be able to hear it.

 

[dannyboy172]

Right i've had a look....

Rocked the wheel backwards and forwards no play at all, checked out the cv joint and wb's but all look ok?? I tried spinning the wheel as well, but couldn't move it to much and it was well up in the air? :S Must admit tho, didn't try very hard as it about to piss in down here. lol

The search continues....god i wish i knew what i was doing! lol

 

[Dan@SJM]

you dont rock the wheel, try wobbling it, top to bottom and side to side.

 

[dannyboy172]

Yeah thats what i did mate, sorry my description is sh1te. lol

 

[Dan@SJM]

lol. it could still be a wheelbearing gone dry.

 

[dannyboy172]

Thats what it sounds like...something with lack of lube/oil or something and the noise is bloody annoying! lol

I'll get it checked out ASAP.

 

[Dan@SJM]

down south? www.carlton-exmouth.com

 

[dannyboy172]

unfortunately not mate, west mids.

 

[ant]

mine hummed when it had gone.

 

[portal172]

Swap the wheel with another one, if it still makes the noise, then it's most likely the bearing.

If it doesn't then it's the rim/tyre.