Wheel bearing/tyre noise or something else?

eidolon · 8 Feb 2011 at 19:31

A week or so ago I was driving along my regular route when my front passenger side wheel disappeared down a crater the size of the moon. I couldn't see any immediate damage however since then my steering has felt like it's following the camber of the road more and any little bumps require me to correct it.

On Sunday I was driving down the M4 and I noticed a lot of what seemed like tyre noise. It might've been my imagination but I'm sure it was definitely more than normal.

I'm not sure if I've done some damage to my wheel bearing or put the alignment seriously out of whack or something else. Anyone got any ideas?

InvaderGIR · 8 Feb 2011 at 19:50

Jack up the front end, grab the offending wheel at the top and bottom and wiggle it, if it moves...bearing.

fonzee · 8 Feb 2011 at 20:49

^ not always the way unfortunately. worth a shot though.

just had a wheel bearing go on the teg, the whole 'jack up and wiggle' didnt prove noubt. it was solid.

only way i could tell was while driving. drive the car and listen hard, take the car around some bends which will shift the weight onto that wheel and listen for any changes when the weight shifts.

new bearing in last weekend and all good again, old one had had it.

Gibbo · 8 Feb 2011 at 21:04

If its a wheel bearing, find a car park, get your girlfriend to drive the car in circles around you both clockwise and anti-clockwise to see if you can diagnose or here any noise. If no noise unlikely a bearing, jack up give wheel a good shake, if there is play in the wheel try to discover whats loose.

If both give nothing, take it too a garage and get the tracking checked and alignment, only cost £30 or so for laser alignment.

eidolon · 8 Feb 2011 at 21:47

Let my girlfriend drive my car? That's a dangerous idea, she might enjoy it and want to drive it more.

I can see this being a slippery slope.

Gibbo · 8 Feb 2011 at 23:35

eidolon said:
Let my girlfriend drive my car? That's a dangerous idea, she might enjoy it and want to drive it more.

I can see this being a slippery slope.

Very handy though for when you want a drink, you drive there, she drives back.

mjt · 9 Feb 2011 at 19:14

You wouldn't be able to hear it over the PS pump anyway

bledd · 9 Feb 2011 at 20:12

fonzee said:
^ not always the way unfortunately. worth a shot though.

just had a wheel bearing go on the teg, the whole 'jack up and wiggle' didnt prove noubt. it was solid.

only way i could tell was while driving. drive the car and listen hard, take the car around some bends which will shift the weight onto that wheel and listen for any changes when the weight shifts.

new bearing in last weekend and all good again, old one had had it.

+1

They sound so damn loud when they go on the Integra!

I've had my front right bearing go twice :mad: