Drowning noise

[V12JDC]

I have a variable pitch droaning noise that is road speed related not engine speed.

It sounded like it was coming from the front wheels and as my front tyres (original Bridgestones) were worn out I put it down to tyre droan

Having had some PS4S fitted today, I now know its not tyre noise!

The rear tyres are getting low, so I guess it could be them, but I am wondering if anyone has had wheel bearing go noisy? It doesn't change pitch when cornering though. The car has done 38k.

Any suggestions welcome

[V12JDC]

Lol, should read droaning noise!

[Caddyshack]

My Range Rover did this, it was worn Shox and anti roll bar....on a car less than 3 yrs old.

[8Tech]

Most likely a wheel bearing.

[rovcallum]

8Tech said:

Most likely a wheel bearing.

I absolutely concur.

[goddo]

rovcallum said:

I absolutely concur.

I had the same symptoms and agree it's probably a bearing.
Cheap fix too.

[V12JDC]

So tonight I stripped and cleaned both front brakes. Neither bearing has any play or roughness, so they seem Ok.

Both inside pads on each caliper was seized solid, causing a build up if rust on the disk. Having 're assembled everything is nice and smooth and the brakes are understandably loads better (i cant believe I was driving it like that...but it had stood a lot before I bought it), but I think I still have some noise at a steady 60, will drive it normally at the weekend, but thinking it may still be a bearing....any ideas how to test which one?

I will also be in for some disks and pads at some point...so any suggestions?

[bogie]

I had similar and over 83k miles had changed 3 out of 4 wheel bearings......

[8Tech]

V12JDC said:

but thinking it may still be a bearing....any ideas how to test which one?

It is usually very difficult to locate a noisy wheel bearing until its absolutely fooked by feeling for play. I have found that the usual cycle of events is that the hardened layer from the bearing race and/or ball bearings detaches or rusts causing the noise but no detectable play.

You need to completely isolate the hub from the disc etc so all you "feel" is the bearing and you may hear a whirring when spun if the bearing is worn.

Unsure on the cost of a replacement, but by the time you have stripped the hub down far enough to check this, it may be worthwhile replacing it anyway?

[V12JDC]

That's useful thanks

I have both front disks stripped off last night and could not detect any roughness in the job or bearings. It may be that my disks and pads need doing as the are quite rusted and beyond cleaning.

I'll do the brakes first and then see and if it doesn't cure it then I am sure it will develop!

[bogie]

Re the wheel bearings I just kept waiting and waiting an over the course of a few thousand miles it got more and more noisy, until such a point as I didnt want to drive the car....was about

wheel bearing as part of hub pack is about £300, so probably £500 per corner fitted depending on labour rate where you go