Wheel bearings

NorthwestM3 · Fri, Jan-02-2009, 08:57:51 PM

The looking for play test by pushing on the wheel is only good when they are really bad. I have heard both a humming noise and a low speed tick from bad wheel bearings in the past. Just jack the car up and inspect the outer portion of the bearing and check to see that it spins smoothly without any noises.

iigigol0ii · Sat, Jan-03-2009, 03:42:29 AM

where exactly is the wheel bearing?

mmmpowr · Sat, Jan-03-2009, 04:59:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iigigol0ii

where exactly is the wheel bearing?

It's inside the hub.

mmmpowr · Sat, Jan-03-2009, 05:02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fly

My symptoms of a bad LR bearing were similar to Jaciuro's, except that it would do it in only one direction. It was more of a low-pitched humming sound than high pitched, like a mud tire at that corner. Replaced it and it's cured.

My rear wheel bearings went bad a year ago and thats the same noise I had, a humming/shuffling noise. It would get louder as I went faster.

nrubenstein · Sat, Jan-03-2009, 03:32:25 PM

Grr. The sound of my bad rf wheel bearing was apparently masking the sound of the bad right rear.

jaciuro · Tue, Feb-24-2009, 12:29:37 PM

Now, the harder the turn at high speed (because it isn't audible at low speed) the more prominent the sound becomes, usually during an on or off ramp. It's just as one person put it, like a truck tire, but only on fast, long duration turns like an on or off ramp.

It is definitely coming from the rear of the car and doesn't have the symptoms of a diff issue, especially since there is no problem at low speed. Maybe the bearing is just starting to go bad? I spin the rears and they are stiff, not too bad though, possibly given the effort required to work through the diff to get the other one to spin as well.

vndkshn · Tue, Feb-24-2009, 12:49:17 PM

Sounds exactly like the wheel bearing.

jph28 · Tue, Feb-24-2009, 02:06:16 PM

My bad front left made an oscillating humming noise once I got up to about 75mph. Also, taking a turn to the right (that would load up the left front bearing) and then driving straight would make it worse. Mine was replaced under CPO, but I had to take a tech for a drive to prove it because the SA thought "everything sounded perfect" after he took it for a drive...

jaciuro · Wed, Feb-25-2009, 01:05:20 AM

The only reason I doubt it being my fronts is because when I had both front wheels up off the ground, they spun VERY easily and spun for a long while then slooooowly came to a stop, nothing sudden - and there was no noise, grinding, squeaking or otherwise.

It has to be the rear bearings. Is there a way to test them w/o taking it all apart? I know the diff and other wheel cause it to be tough to spin as it's all connected, but when I do, I didn't hear any noise.

johnkent3 · Wed, Feb-25-2009, 01:57:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iigigol0ii

Well, ho do i know if my wheel bearings need to be changed?
i'm having the same issue...did you figure it out?
When driving, if i have the music down it sounds kind of like i have truck tires on, almost like i can here and very slightly sometimes feel the vibrations from them. Lately from the back when i turn the wheel a little bit i hear a loud ticking coming from the back wheel...

Are those my wheel bearings? are there any DIY's? I did a search and was unsuccessful

Any luck with solving the "truck tire" sound problem? I'm having the same issue!

Fri, Jan-02-2009, 08:57:51 PM	#11
NorthwestM3 Essayons Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,001 Reputation: 0 Location: Fircrest, WA	The looking for play test by pushing on the wheel is only good when they are really bad. I have heard both a humming noise and a low speed tick from bad wheel bearings in the past. Just jack the car up and inspect the outer portion of the bearing and check to see that it spins smoothly without any noises. __________________ 3/01 production, TCK Coilovers 550F/600R, Vorshlag camber plates, TCK RSM's, TMS rear control arms, Powerflex RTAB's, Rogue FCAB's, OEM strut tower bar, tower reinforcement plates, reinforced subframe, TR MT1 wheels, Stoptech BBK, ZHP shifter, Rogue tranny mounts, Agency Power Headers, Random Tech cats, Rogue pulleys, Conforti tune, Borla Mufflers, AFE Stage II intake, 3.91 gear set, Clutchmasters clutch and lightweight steel flywheel, CF trunk, ...

Sat, Jan-03-2009, 03:32:25 PM	#15
nrubenstein ******* Join Date: Dec 2003 Age: 31 Posts: 7,354 Reputation: 0 Location: Washington, DC	Grr. The sound of my bad rf wheel bearing was apparently masking the sound of the bad right rear. __________________ 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD Duramax LBZ/Allison 2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black - JBL MS-62C, IDQ-12v3, JBL MS-8 1999 323i KP/GTS2 Alpinweiß - Hood-in-the-windshield mod 1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan - GC/Bilstein, Sway 1989 325is Alpinweiß/Black - S50B30, GC/Koni, Sways, BBS RX, Hybrid C61-2, Sundown SA-12, JBL MS-8 1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black - S50B32. 321hp. Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamondschwartz/Black 5spd - Korman lengthened front driveshaft, Cam, Bilstein, H&R Sport, snow chains.

Tue, Feb-24-2009, 12:29:37 PM	#16
jaciuro When will they learn that the left lane is for passing only? Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 317 Reputation: 0 Location: Tampa Bay - FL	Now, the harder the turn at high speed (because it isn't audible at low speed) the more prominent the sound becomes, usually during an on or off ramp. It's just as one person put it, like a truck tire, but only on fast, long duration turns like an on or off ramp. It is definitely coming from the rear of the car and doesn't have the symptoms of a diff issue, especially since there is no problem at low speed. Maybe the bearing is just starting to go bad? I spin the rears and they are stiff, not too bad though, possibly given the effort required to work through the diff to get the other one to spin as well. __________________ 2004 E46 M3 6-SPD Titanium Silver/Gray Leather StopTech ST60/380mm, PowerFlex RTABs, Streamline Intake Tube & Filter 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Black/Yoshimura TRC (Stolen!) 2002 Subaru WRX Stage2+Sold

Tue, Feb-24-2009, 12:49:17 PM	#17
vndkshn Goin' crazy... wanna come? Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 8,811 Reputation: 0 Location: Parker	Sounds exactly like the wheel bearing. __________________ 2005 Interlagos Blue M3 - Cinammon Interior - ZCP - 6MT - Premium - HK Sound Performance Mods: D/A Race Software, D/A VAC Lightweight UnderDrive Pulleys, Streamline Panel, Ceramic Coated Stainless headers, Race-cats, B&B Tri-Flow, Motons, Vorshlag plates, GC Adj. Rear Camber Arms, GC Race Hybrid FCAB, Powerflex RTABs, H-Sport Sways, GC adjustable endlinks, GSP Clutch Pedal, 40% Autosolutions SSK, Rogue Trans Mounts, PFC WC/GAC front brake kit, PFC-01s for the track. Click Here for nightmare ECS story. - LOL, it was deleted, guess it shows the sponsors can get away with anything here.

Wed, Feb-25-2009, 01:05:20 AM	#19
jaciuro When will they learn that the left lane is for passing only? Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 317 Reputation: 0 Location: Tampa Bay - FL	The only reason I doubt it being my fronts is because when I had both front wheels up off the ground, they spun VERY easily and spun for a long while then slooooowly came to a stop, nothing sudden - and there was no noise, grinding, squeaking or otherwise. It has to be the rear bearings. Is there a way to test them w/o taking it all apart? I know the diff and other wheel cause it to be tough to spin as it's all connected, but when I do, I didn't hear any noise. __________________ 2004 E46 M3 6-SPD Titanium Silver/Gray Leather StopTech ST60/380mm, PowerFlex RTABs, Streamline Intake Tube & Filter 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Black/Yoshimura TRC (Stolen!) 2002 Subaru WRX Stage2+Sold

Sat, Jan-03-2009, 03:42:29 AM	#12
iigigol0ii Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 762 Reputation: 11	where exactly is the wheel bearing?

Tue, Feb-24-2009, 02:06:16 PM	#18
jph28 Chin 3/3 @ VIR Full Join Date: Mar 2008 Age: 29 Posts: 6,281 In the garage: '12 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Chapel Hill, NC	My bad front left made an oscillating humming noise once I got up to about 75mph. Also, taking a turn to the right (that would load up the left front bearing) and then driving straight would make it worse. Mine was replaced under CPO, but I had to take a tech for a drive to prove it because the SA thought "everything sounded perfect" after he took it for a drive...

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