wheel bearing noise??
 

Hi. My 2015 V70 D5 80k miles has developed a thrum ( noise which I have initially diagnosed as O/S front wheel bearing wear.) Investigation has left me scratching my head as when I tried to rock the wheel when jacked up, there was a tiny amount of play E/W - but the steering wheel could be seen shifting ever so slightly, and no play at all N/S. I also checked the other front wheel, all as 1st wheel.
So can a wheel bearing be worn and rumble yet present no sign of wear when using the "old school" method of checking?

If not bearing, I'm thinking brake bind?? of diff bearings ( hope not) anything I'm missing?

Seems low mileage for bearing failure, and "wrong side" and don't get louder with load but sound increases with speed, not engine speed. I'd say all day its wheel bearing, but my checks don't bear this out.


My thoughts on replacement would be dealer part or SKF - Vida has presented me with part numbers -31360096 + VKBA 6531
Suggestions /comments appreciated.

Cheers Bob

Yep they can. Bearings can make noise, but have zero play.

Tyres can also make similar sounds. Do any of your tyres have bulges or flat spots?

A good way to test that is to swap the tyre from the side you suspect is making noise to another part of the car. If the noise then transfers to the place you put the tyre, you know its a tyre issue.

Both my car and my Dad's P3 V70 have had wheel bearings replaced, but they've had zero play when checking. They just made noise.

I have read[elsewhere on here I believe ]that one way to check wheel bearing is to jack car up and spin the wheel while resting a hand on the suspension strut and if you can feel any vibration this points to wheel bearing.Also a worn bearing will often become louder when cornering and the weight transfer puts more weight onto that side wheel.For instance when going round a left hand bend the weight transfer will load up on the drivers side wheel/bearing.

Thanks for replies.
Can eliminate tyres. Took winter tyres off yesterday and noise still there. Brake snag is also eliminated. Drove 30 mile today and all 4 discs were 26c +/- 3 degree according to infra red temp sensor. Will try wheel spin n holding strut spring n advise.
Again thanks 4 replies

Cheers Bob

Yes, a wheel bearing can be shot and there be no play. Jacking the car up and spinning the wheel whilst holding onto the road spring and you'll feel any bearing wear as a slight vibration through the spring.

Jack

Kev0607, a question, please.
You said above, "Both my car and my Dad's P3 V70 have had wheel bearings replaced,...".
At what mileage did each go?
Since you experienced this twice, it's better data!

My car had a nearside front replaced at around 106k.

Dad’s was the same bearing, but his was replaced at around 160k (163k on it now).

I suspect his had wheel bearings replaced before. Its unlikely it got to that mileage without some replacement along the way, but no proof to say otherwise. Its just a guess.

Nearside (passenger side here) is common to go, as that’s the wheel that usually hits the often unavoidable potholes. Offside (driver’s side) not so much, they tend to last longer.

My 2002 V70 RF (right front/ Off-side in the UK) bearing went at 158K.

That's good, but the roads are much better there than here.

The roads here are a disgrace. You could go for a dive in some of the potholes.

Every day's a school day....
 

Got to the car this morning, and spun the O/S wheel and felt the suspension- there was a little brake disc drag so could not get the wheel to spin quickly, but fast enough to detect an unmistakeable vibration - RESULT!.

Rather than remove the pads, I checked the other front wheel, and again slight disc brake drag, but no matter how many times I spun up the wheel, I could detect no vibration.

I don't have a press to remove/refit the bearing, and I was half thinking I don't really fancy this job, so it's booked in at my local garage. They say I can provide the bearing if I wish. A SFK part is about £120 delivered direct from SFK.

Thanks for your help - much appreciated.

Cheers
Bob