Identifying chirpy wheel bearing
Discussion
Mazda MX5 2009
Hi all, I can't work out which corner it is!
It started last summer on the way back from a road trip to Italy. A chirping noise when up to speed. I was convinced it was on the right hand side of the car (I drove) and the Mrs was convinced it was the left.
I speculated whether the noise would persist when we reached the uk and got back on the correct side of the road. Low and behold, the noise went away..
Until now. It has come back. The car doesn't do many miles but I want it fixed, there's a couple of track days lined up and I don't want a sudden failure.
How do I find out which one to replace? They all feel roughly the same temperature.
Do I wait until it's a constant squeal and the location is unmistakable?
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Cheers
Hi all, I can't work out which corner it is!
It started last summer on the way back from a road trip to Italy. A chirping noise when up to speed. I was convinced it was on the right hand side of the car (I drove) and the Mrs was convinced it was the left.
I speculated whether the noise would persist when we reached the uk and got back on the correct side of the road. Low and behold, the noise went away..
Until now. It has come back. The car doesn't do many miles but I want it fixed, there's a couple of track days lined up and I don't want a sudden failure.
How do I find out which one to replace? They all feel roughly the same temperature.
Do I wait until it's a constant squeal and the location is unmistakable?
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Cheers
"chirpy" doesn't sound like a noise I would expect of a wheel bearing, are you sure it isn't something catching around the wheel/disc?
It also doesn't give enough of a description to help out much, so exactly when does it happen, is it related to wheel speed, is it worse when cornering, anything else to help?
If it is a wheel bearing they generally make a rumbling/whining type noise and that noise will increase/decrease in intensity when cornering.
If worse when turning right it is generally on the left, although you will have to work out whether it is front or rear from inside the car.
It also doesn't give enough of a description to help out much, so exactly when does it happen, is it related to wheel speed, is it worse when cornering, anything else to help?
If it is a wheel bearing they generally make a rumbling/whining type noise and that noise will increase/decrease in intensity when cornering.
If worse when turning right it is generally on the left, although you will have to work out whether it is front or rear from inside the car.
As per replies above, yes my first guess would be something brake disc/pad or backing plate etc related.
As well as spinning the wheel, comparing visually left to right for any gap differences might help - it was how I realised that some retaining clip was a cause on one car.
Spotting which wheel bearing should be obvious - except to me! Whenever I try to diagnose by loading/unloading through turns etc I keep thinking I'm hearing different things.
The best tip that I've seen (although maybe car dependant?) is to jack up and spin a wheel - keeping a long metal screwdriver/spanner touching the spring - and an ear near the other end. The amplified sounds are then much easier to hear.
As well as spinning the wheel, comparing visually left to right for any gap differences might help - it was how I realised that some retaining clip was a cause on one car.
Spotting which wheel bearing should be obvious - except to me! Whenever I try to diagnose by loading/unloading through turns etc I keep thinking I'm hearing different things.
The best tip that I've seen (although maybe car dependant?) is to jack up and spin a wheel - keeping a long metal screwdriver/spanner touching the spring - and an ear near the other end. The amplified sounds are then much easier to hear.
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