Bearing noise that isn't a bearing

An out of shape tyre? I once had a deformed tyre that didn't show any noticeable wobble through the steering but caused a bearing rumble noise.

I've had "wheel bearing noise" that turned out to be a piece of exterior plastic trim whistling in the wind.

John

When my bearings went the first thing my father said to me is 'sounds like a CV joint', so I'd answer a yes to your question although I've never had the problem myself I understand my father has.

Does the sound change appreciably when you corner? At high speed? Low speeds? Is it different when you corner left or right?

-- Billy H

Another question is did you pack the grease into your bearings enough? I believe they can fail quite soon if you don't.

-- Billy H

Sealed units, no packing required.

No change in sound on cornering, starts at about 30mph, no longer noticable by about 60mph.

I suppose it's not impossible. The tyres that are on there are some cheap Russian sh*t that came with it, possibly remoulds even, plenty of tread left on so haven't worried about them.

When my bearings failed they rumbled from 25mph, got worst to 50, quietend after 60mph.

Sounds very much like my bearings. Maybe you're very very unlucky and bought a dud race?

-- Billy H

Well it's not impossible but...there's not even any play in them, not in any one of the four. Nor was there before I changed them, it was just that they were all diagnosed as noisy and best changed by a garage I think/thought I trust.

erm, my local mechanic (next door my dad's metalwork shop) wobbled my wheels too. Nothing happened. But I insisted on changing the bearings and it cured it.

No-one knew what it was.

New steering rack, wishbones, brakes, wheel balance, tracking, new tires, erm what else???

But I wouldn't say it would be your bearings, that is highly unlikely.

Modern material is so much better than it was, even when bought cheap...

Saying that I bought a cheap demolition drill, and the handle fell off...

It's a funny old world we live in.

But CV joint was what my dad said first, even though it turned out to be bearings.

-- Billy H

YES

Take the car on a large empty space ( car park ).

Turn the steering wheel full lock to the right then drive the car round and round, slow at first then a little quicker to put pressure on the joints.

Repeat the test on the opposite lock.

If either CV joint is knackered you should here it it clearly. Knock knock knock knock.

If it's just a droning sound, it's the bearing.

The loss of grease may be the result of an out of spec bearing spinning in its housing or on the shaft. This will generate heat and melt the grease.

Zozzer

I don't think they'd hum. More clonk, especially on full lock and when applying power on full lock.

To make a humming sound you need something less constrained. It could be associated with a brake drum, maybe rubbing slightly against the backplate. Or it could just be a resonance somewhere, maybe Peugeot 106s just make that noise above 77k miles. You could also see if it's louder if you fold the back seats down and take out the parcel shelf; and try coasting with the engine off.

I'd say just ignore it, if it's anything serious it'll get worse and reach a point where it's easier to identify.

This test applies only to outer CV joints, not the inner ones.

John

Just to elaborate, the sound was a definite growl, like a bearing. The telling thing was that the road speed of onset was a bit lower in a headwind.

John

There's (ahem, puts on his London accent)

ther's naffin' better than these newsgroups for the benefit of experience. Jus' wish everyone would use 'em. But nahhhh, life's too complicated... I'll let 'em off

Worth checking the tyres first, if the treads seperating they make strange noises & the go flat very quickly.

...which would explain why swapping the tyres front-to-back has made the noise go away!!!