Tyre Noise, wheel bearing?

Jono · 7 Dec 2015 at 10:28

My car (Mazda 6 (2011)) has started making an excessive noise on the front offside wheel - I think. It's like a rumbling sort of sound but it doesn't make the car shake any more than usual. It gets louder and higher pitched as I go faster up to 40-50mph where it's most noticeable.

Is it likely to be the bearing or just the tyre getting worn down to the point it is (never used to sound like this), or maybe it's lost a weight (doesn't look like it).

IF it is the bearing, what's a likely cost to fix/replace it, and do both sides need doing, or just the noisy one?

Thanks,

tom_e · 7 Dec 2015 at 10:37

Rumbling is usually a bearing, they're relatively cheap and quick to fit so shouldn't break the bank.

katinacooker · 7 Dec 2015 at 10:39

I recently had the same issue with my 08 C2. They just need to replace the broken bearing. When i was looking up quotes online, the range I saw was £80-£170. My local garage replaced mine for £124 (£50 parts & the rest labour, iirc)

Orionaut · 7 Dec 2015 at 10:46

tom_e said:
Rumbling is usually a bearing, they're relatively cheap and quick to fit so shouldn't break the bank.

The job "Should" take less than an hour and a half.

However, If there are rusty component issues you may need to factor in a new ARB link and even (if you are unlucky) an ABS sensor.

Swifty55 · 7 Dec 2015 at 11:31

Get it on a jack and spin the wheel, should hear the bearings. If not, get the tyre checked, your tread may be stepped.

Conscript · 7 Dec 2015 at 13:43

Does the noise change when cornering? Usually, if it's a bearing, the noise should lessen when the weight shifts off wheel in question.

Jono · 7 Dec 2015 at 13:59

It might do. I haven't really noticed it that much, will try to pay more attention on my drive home tonight.
£240 ish I've been quoted by a main dealer (Jennings at middlesbrough) Seems a lot, but reading up online it does look like a bitch of a job on this car.

Dav4 · 7 Dec 2015 at 15:51

I had a bad droning coming from the back of my ST noticeable at 60+ and it was the rear wheel bearings. They were that bad they had to weld some of the bolts off. They cost £240 so i would say your quote sounds right

Dogbreath · 7 Dec 2015 at 15:56

Swifty55 said:
Get it on a jack and spin the wheel, should hear the bearings. If not, get the tyre checked, your tread may be stepped.

You can't really spin the front wheel on a FWD car because of the drag from the diff.

Rumbling/droning is usually a wheel bearing, but can also be caused by certain types of tyre wear. If the tyre tread has a block pattern, check if the blocks have worn into a ramp shape; just running your fingers over the tread will tell you.

Jono · 7 Dec 2015 at 16:32

Cheers DB,
The tread looks fine, really, judging by wear indicators - they're an equal amount worn across it - if that's kinda what you mean?
Best price from an independent garage is £155. I've had a couple more at £180 which are closer.

Kennysevenfold · 7 Dec 2015 at 17:08

Just the bad bearing that needs changed not both sides.

£55 for a bearing for your car from carparts4less.

Backstreet garage £40/50 to fit.

job done.

Heisenberg · 7 Dec 2015 at 17:26

Definitely a wheel bearing. Mazda 6's are bad for them.

Dogbreath · 8 Dec 2015 at 09:56

Jono said:
Cheers DB,
The tread looks fine, really, judging by wear indicators - they're an equal amount worn across it - if that's kinda what you mean?

This is what I mean. Some tyre/car combinations are quite prone to this.

Jono · 8 Dec 2015 at 10:00

Took it to get looked at/listened to - definitely bearing

Thanks for your replies