Squeaking on reverse. Clutch, brakes, wheel bearings or what?

[JohnF]

My polo has developed a squeaking when reversing. My first reaction before reading this forum that it could be the clutch, wheel bearings or brakes binding.

Another thread suggests that it could be rear brakes binding on the GTI (mine isn't the GTI) so I'm not sure if that problem would apply to me. Mine does not at all sound like a cow mooing, it's a squeak.

If it is bearings or clutch, or something else then it needs attending to, so it sounds like a dealer visit (but how urgently?)

How do I know?

[johnparker]

My 1.0 tsi SE had a squeek when applying the brakes when reversing from new until about 10000 miles. It reduced from very loud to nothing during this period.

[JohnF]

That was my first thought, the brakes, but in fact it happens when slowing reversing and whilst NOT touching the brakes. It doesn't exactly match the clutch engagement either which makes it even more baffling, hence my thinking it may be wheel bearing?.

Has anyone had wheel bearing issues?

[stevereeves]

Likely brakes, wheel bearing noise tends be a low quietish rumbling / vibration starts really becoming obvious at 30MPH or so, gradually getting worse as road speed increases. No issues on VW for me, but I once had car that ate wheel bearings......