Noisy wheel bearing but no play in wheel

[poing]

Is it possible for a wheel bearing to go but not have any play in the wheel?

I've got a noise that sounds the same as a wheel bearing on the way out, thought at first it was a binding brake but they have all been dealt with. There is a slight stickiness in the rear brakes but not a lot. I jacked up all the wheels and gave them a wobble but they are all solid as a rock, no play. I think it's driver side rear and when I take right turns the noise reduces a lot so it all sounds about correct.

I even checked the tyres for anything in them that can make a noise and did pull a tiny stone out but surely that's not enough. Noise starts to become noticeable around 30mph, peeks about 60mph and actually tails off by around 70mph but that could just be road and wind noise taking over.

It's a mk3 mx5, only the 1.8 so an open diff not a limited slip diff like the 2.0 versions. Not sure how relevant that is though.

Tempted just to get it done since the part is so cheap but is there anything else the garage should be looking at?

[Rickyy]

Could be the tyres. I've had several cars replicate bearing noises which were actually due to worn tyres.

[V8forweekends]

Another vote for tyres - had this more than once.

ETA - tyres looked fine visually, even wear, plenty o'tread etc.

[poing]

Rickyy said:

Could be the tyres. I've had several cars replicate bearing noises which were actually due to worn tyres.

I thought about that because it's still on it's winters but all 4 are equally worn and the noise changing on right hand bends doesn't add up. I could swap a couple of tyres around though to see if it makes any difference, got to be worth a try I guess.

ETA: 2 votes for tyres, guess I'll swap them around tomorrow and see what happens. Just worried about driving on a wheel bearing on the way out because I've had one go pop in the past which worked out costly!

[P I Staker]

Yes it is certainly possible for a wheel bearing to be rough but not have play in it. If you jack the car up and spin the wheel you suspect then hold the coil spring, you may feel the vibration through the spring from the rough bearing.

The garage will probably know what to look for, it's their job.

[Bat28]

Could be the tyres yes ...

And to reply to the initial question, it is possible for a bearing to be noisy without having any play in it.

[Drive Blind]

I have had genuine wheel bearing failure on cars with 100K miles plus but the last twice I've had a wheel bearing drone it's actually been the tyre causing it.

Both times they were Uniroyal Rainsports as they approached their wear indicators.

[littleredrooster]

If it changes under load, there's a good chance it is the bearing. It can't be the tyres if they are the same across the axle.

I've had bearings which howled their brains out for months before I fixed them; I've also had one which was just about audible for two days before it seized and wrecked the hub and stub-axle. I've never ignored them since!

Edited by littleredrooster on Monday 3rd March 21:32

[poing]

Tyres are Conti winters, on their last winter but not dead by any means yet. I'll swap front to back tomorrow, they are directional so can't swap left to right sadly. I have been listening to see if there is a change in tone with different road surfaces but nothing I can detect. Don't think I've pressed the mute button so often since I bought the car

Cheers guys, could be a nice cheap fix if it's just the tyres.

[poing]

littleredrooster said:

If it changes under load, there's a good chance it is the bearing. It can't be the tyres if they are the same across the axle.

I've had bearings which howled their brains out for months before I fixed them; I've also had one which was just about audible for two days before it seized and wrecked the hub and stub-axle. I've never ignored them since!

Edited by littleredrooster on Monday 3rd March 21:32

That matches my current thinking. I've had one let go and it was an expensive mistake. It's only about £30 for the part so might just play it safe, my little local garage is really good and will only be an hour or 2 for labour so think I'll get it booked in regardless. I would do it myself but I understand these need a press to do it.

I'll still swap the tyres tomorrow just in case but suspect you are correct. All my previous bearing have had play in the wheel so it was obvious, this confused me a little.

[poing]

To make sure I don't get in trouble with the OP from this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Wheel bearing replaced yesterday, car back to normal.

To be fair it had my mechanic confused and he called me after it took it for a test drive to say he was not sure if it was a bearing or not and it sounds like both rears might be gone. He took my advice and just did the driver side one. When I drove it today I realised he was confusing the racket the tyres make for the wheel bearing and if not used to the car it would indeed sound like it needs both doing.