Wheel bearing or something worse?

[DoubleA888]

Hello,

I'm looking for some guidance on a problem with my 2000 s1.

There is a noise, a bit like the hum of a spinning top coming from the rear of the car. It becomes audible about 25mph but less noticeable above 50mph, but I think this is because it is masked by the general racket of exhaust and tyre noise.

Initially, I thought it was a rear wheel bearing, but there was no difference in the noise between left or right bends. I jacked up the car the other day and spun the wheels up to speed, first one side and then the other. I think the noise was equally loud and coming from the inboard end of the driveshafts.

There is no clunking sounds and the noise varies with wheel speed, not engine speed. It makes no difference if the clutch is engaged or not.

The car has only done 30k, but I am suspecting a gearbox problem. Has anyone come accross a similar problem?

Thanks, Angus

[Shug]

Has it got worse?

Gearboxes are as noisy as hell anyway. Maybe worth checking that there's no leaks and the gearbox oil level is okay.

[Gourlay83]

Also worth checking if there is any play in any of the rear hubs, just to ensure your bearings are ok. It does sound like a gearbox but as Shug says the make hell of a noise most of time.
If you want a 2nd opinion I can have a listen as your local.

Cheers
Alan

[DoubleA888]

I started to notice the noise about 1000 miles back, it doesn't seem to be getting any worse.

There have been no pools of oil on the garage floor, but I haven't had the undertray off since the Mot in June. I'd better have a look...

Alan, I would value a second opinion. I'll pm my details to you.

Angus

[Baggy]

sounds similar to my car two years ago.

loud humming...... couldn't locate it.

local garage thought it was the diff.

checked the gearbox levels and kept running the car.

Was a wheel bearing

If you take the pads out and spin the wheels and listen you might hear something.

or if you want I could lend you my laser thermometer so you could take car for a run and ping both hubs when you stop to see if one side is running warmer than the other. (brakes might skew this tho) or probably best get alan to have a listen

[DoubleA888]

Baggy,

Your reply is a little encouraging. So the answer is keep running the car until the noise gets really loud and therefore easier to find!

Is changing the rear wheel bearings an unusually difficult job, I'm thinking about this just to see if it cures the problem. I've read about the front ones and they sound a bit of a nightmare.

Cheers, Angus

[Mikie711]

Dead easy in Aberdeen, most folk give them to me and I change them

[ABZ-Elise]

Dead easy in Aberdeen, most folk give them to me and I change them

That really would be your easyist option.

Its pretty simple to do yourself if you have the right tools tho. The hardest part for me was being ar$ed to do it in the middle of winter in a very cold shed.

Kev.

[Baggy]

Dead easy in Aberdeen, most folk give them to me and I change them

Exactly what he said.........

Mike actually changed a front for me a few weeks ago (it was obvious and became noisy very quickly).

The one I described above was a rear that went 18 months or so ago. yes... I would just run it and keep an eye.

[Baggy]

Baggy,

Your reply is a little encouraging. So the answer is keep running the car until the noise gets really loud and therefore easier to find!

Is changing the rear wheel bearings an unusually difficult job, I'm thinking about this just to see if it cures the problem. I've read about the front ones and they sound a bit of a nightmare.

Cheers, Angus

Not tricky but you need a press (which mike has)

uprights comes off the car dead easy. no need to split ball joints just nuts and bolts

Front is easier than rear

Fronts you need a vice to hold it while you undo the M16 through bolt

Rears you will need cheater bar for rear hub nut and some porridge for breakfast.

[tut]

I knew Mike had most toys, but I did not realise that he had a bearing press.

tut