I hear a noise coming from the rear drivers side wheel that seems to me like a bad wheel bearing. However, when I jack the car up and spin the tire, I don't hear any noise. Its less noticeable when I am on the highway turning right as opposed to on the highway going straight or left. But its getting worse and worse. I haven't been able to reproduce the noise without driving the car. It must need some down pressure to make the noise, but does anyone know a way to test the bearing before I blindly repair it?

 

Check your tires for feathering/cupping as well. They will make a loud roaring noise that gets louder with speed. Sounds similar to the bearing going out.

 

mine is doing the same thing. i ordered a bearing yesterday so we will see if that is the culprit.

 

Take the wheel off and then spin the bearing. You might hear a soft metal grinding.

 

I recently purchased new wheels and it's making the same noise. This may seem ridiculous but has anyone ever put their car on stands and put the car in drive? I'd like to have someone push the gas and inspect...

 

Jack the car up, leaving the wheel on, wiggle it. If the bearings are bad, you will feel a slight movement/wiggle. The roaring noise Blue Dream mentioned is a good indicator the bearings are bad as well.

They're also not to hard to replace, given you have an impact gun to break the bolts loose.

 

My impact gun is my arm and a household hammer.

Luckily there is a DIY video for this...

 

That works too...or you can use some landscape rocks in place of the hammer

 

where do you find the DIY video to change the hub bearings

 

BUMP! I think i have the same issue!

its a kind of clicking-type sound, mine is louder when turning right, quieter turning left. seems to be coming from front-passenger side. dealer said it might be related to my brakes because the noise stops when brakes are applied...

any input appreciated

 

French, got your PM. The clicking issue on our cars is very distinct and typical. Its just a part that needs to get re-greased. Search the forum for axel click and that should be able to help you. There is a DIY video out there and its very easy to do yourself. Now, I can be completely wrong, since I'm basing my response on the fact that you said clicking, and I'm assuming that the noise arises from a dead start or very low speeds. Mine sounds like a bad bearing. It's a whirling noise and I can't bear anymore (no pun intended).

 

its not the axle click, I got that fixed a long time ago under warranty, this sounds very different. I wouldnt call it a whirring sound however so maybe its something different

thanks anyway

 

Does it sound like this?

 

Mine sounds like this:


But basically, you'll hear it when you step off the gas pedal and your left with only the bad bearing noise. Replace your bearing, its inexpensive if you do it yourself. I recommend buying the whole hub assembly so you don't have to deal with mounting the bearing itself into the hub, which also requires special tools.

 

Do you have BBK French?