How do you diagnose a wheel bearing failure?

[CHRIS555]

As the tilte suggests really!

How do you tell when you have a wheel bearing on the way out? What are the typical symptoms?

Thanks in advance!

 

[quattrojames]

In my experience it usually starts with a grumbling bearing type noise. If you jack it up you 'might' be able to detect some movement by holding the wheel top and bottom and trying to move it - but not always. And often the wheel the noise is coming from isn't the wheel bearing that's gone..... don't ask me why but it's true!

 

[simon.m]

take it to your local mot place they should not charge to look ;-) iv spent loads of time over there years fafing about trying to find it my self lol

 

[scott b]

dronning type noise, if you go round long sweeping bends so that the weight is lifted of one of the front wheels, if you here the noise go then its the wheel that isnt loaded with the weight of the car

ie right hand bend, noise goes right hand bearing

but also jack the car up and check for play, and also spin the wheel and listen for noises

 

[AudiLeon]

You can often find your brakes squeaking too, as the disc moves with the bearing/wheel the disc catchs the pads.

 

[drmole]

yeah all as above chris what made u think it was the bearing wa symptoms does ur baby have lol may be something less costley
best option if your not 100% wa the problem is like simon said pop to local garage and have them look for you they shouldnt charge for jus inspecting the cause of the problem

 

[Tooks]

The sweeping bend test doesn't necessarily help much to be honest, as I found out.

Also, the bearings are double race types, so if only one side are shot that can throw you too.

I took mine to a VAG specialist because it was droning, they put it on ramps disconnected the driveshafts and spun it by hand to listen. They thought the offside front bearing was noisy, backed up by the fact that the noise appeared to be coming from the front offside, so changed it. Job done, except the noise was still there but now seemed to be coming from the nearside front. Had that changed a couple of weeks later, and now quiet as a mouse.

Best thing is to get somebody sit in different seats in the car to listen with you!

 

[defsix]

I used to have the same problem. A droning sound coming from the left side. Then the girlfriend got out and it was still there. Just replaced the lot of them. If ones gone the other one can't be far behind. (bearings)

 

[CHRIS555]

Thanks guys, I get a squeaking noise every now and again, especially when turning right, nothing too loud, but annoying! And yesterday I felt (just for a few seconds) some vibrations in the steering wheel so I'm assuming a bearing is on it's way out!

 

[AU01 A4]

Hi Chis555
was it the bearing?
as am getting a squeaking brake noise and i have changed disks and pads checked caliper and still it got it
​

 

[ScottD3]

A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement.

 

[ScottD3]

ok i cheated. I got it from wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearing_(mechanical)

Normaly bearings refer to the wheel bearings.

 

[AU01 A4]

thanks, i known what a bearing is,
am geting a squeaking brake noise, i have used genuine audi pads and disks, and it still there

 

[ScottD3]

thanks, i known what a bearing is,
am geting a squeaking brake noise, i have used genuine audi pads and disks, and it still there

I need to start rereading things. I read it as what is the bearing, Not was it the bearing.
Sorry bout that.

I use to get his from my GTI after new pads and disks, I coated the back of the pads in copper grease and it went away.
Just an idea.

 

[AU01 A4]

I need to start rereading things. I read it as what is the bearing, Not was it the bearing.
Sorry bout that.

I use to get his from my GTI after new pads and disks, I coated the back of the pads in copper grease and it went away.
Just an idea.

No Prods
done that, replace the pads 2times and disk onces it seems to go with new pads but start after a month or two, it doing my head in

 

[swarcup]

Did you wire brush the bit where the pad slides on the caliper. Mine squeeked till i did this as the pad doesnt slideaway from the disk so squeeks.

 

[AU01 A4]

Did you wire brush the bit where the pad slides on the caliper. Mine squeeked till i did this as the pad doesnt slideaway from the disk so squeeks.

did do, my next step is when i save the money will be bearing - hub- caliper in that order, am that **** off with it

 

[simon.m]

not saying you have put cheap pads in mate but iv none some pads to do this as they have to much metal in them my yuonger bro had it till i changed his pads was drivinh him nuts

 

[AU01 A4]

not saying you have put cheap pads in mate but iv none some pads to do this as they have to much metal in them my yuonger bro had it till i changed his pads was drivinh him nuts

Audi pads from dealer,
i have had the bearing checked for play and theres no play,

 

[CHRIS555]

Can I just say that the English you lot are giving above is terrible!! I read it on my iPhone and I felt drunk!!

Ermm... difficult to answer the requested q/a - my squeak went away and I put it down to having some grit in there somewhere - but it has returned in the last few days so god knows!!