Detect which side rear wheel bearing is at fault

[Nigma]

I can hear a bearing noise coming from the rear, but having difficulty identifying which side is at fault.

If going around a right hand bend (putting most of the car weight on the passenger side) the noise is NOT present. Going around a left hand bend (putting most of of the car weight on the driver side) the noise is still present.

From this I *think* it's the drivers side at fault - but is the above method the correct way of working this out ?

Thanks,
Anand

 

[Y83OLK]

Thats the method i normally use.
Unless its an s3 tqs then you can run it up on axle stands.

Have u tried jacking up both sides and spinning for noise?

 

[Broken Byzan]

Same method i would use. You would be lucky to detect it on stands, usualy needs load to make it evident

 

[Nigma]

Thanks for the help guys.

So is my logic above correct.. i.e. The side under load when the car makes a noise, is the faulty side ?

Thanks,
Anand

 

[Matt82]

get it on a jack and turn it by hand. normally you can hear/feel it

 

[Welly]

get it on a jack and turn it by hand. normally you can hear/feel it

Normally feels grindy - but then again, that can be the brakes....

I love wheel bearings.

 

[Matt82]

leave them until the car sounds like a helicopter, once it gets to that stage its way easier

 

[Nigma]

I've just had it up on a jack (and am also incredibly soaked from rain).. The driver side does make a grinding noise as i rotate it, but as you say this could also be the brakes. There is no evident play in the 6-12 and 9-3 positions.
I'm sure it's the bearings however, as the noise varies at different speeds.

Cheers,
Anand