Wheel Bearings

skypilot30 · Post by **skypilot30** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:32 pm

I have a Polo Coupe 1992 J Reg. Last year on the Mot, the two rear wheel bearings were replaced.

This year I had it MoT'd again and although it passed, the "Advisory Notice" attached to the (New Type) MoT Certificate read as follows:

" 001 Nearside rear wheel bearing - play in a rear wheel bearing (2.6.2)

002 Offside rear wheel bearing - play in a rear wheel bearing (2.6.2) "

Should these items be showing such wear after only a year ?
Is it advisable to replace these items now ?

The car has done about 3000 miles since the last MoT

Thanks!

DelG40 · Post by **DelG40** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:54 pm

They'll just need tightened up!

Matty2021 · Post by **Matty2021** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:08 pm

Ya wanna make sure the bearings are super super greased up aswell, make sure theyre tightened too and you shouldnt have any problems for a couple of years atleast!

Mk2Adam · Post by **Mk2Adam** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:10 pm

they probably need tightening up...but they need to be the right amount, you have to tighten it up properly using a socket to seat all the parts properly, then undo it and tighten it up again using your hand, it has to be just tight enough so you can move the washer horizontally using a screwdriver but not too lose.

haynes explains all this better than me

skypilot30 · Post by **skypilot30** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:33 pm

Thanks for that chaps, as always you never fail us

SpikeyG40 · Post by **SpikeyG40** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:54 pm

i had a rear wheel bearing suddenly colapse with no warning what so ever! made a horrible noise! the nut was extremely loose on the bearing but i had been very good for checking that the bearings were ok previous to it going! the problem came when fitting the new bearing, it was noticed that the old bearing had damaged the stub axle, which was a pain, it wasn't too badly priced, but its something you don't want really!

skypilot30 · Post by **skypilot30** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:37 pm

I'm not really acqauianted with the noise of a faulty wheel bearing, what does it sound like when it is going is there anything specific about it, that i should listen for. As far as I'm aware, there are no rumbling noises coming from the bearings, jus what i would describe as wheel noise, ie I'm aware that the wheels are rotating - if you follow my drift

SpikeyG40 · Post by **SpikeyG40** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:57 pm

well its bassically a rumbling, you may also find that it gets louder when going round a corner, but going round an oposite corner it will be quieter! as an example, when my rear left wheel bearing was on its way on my old mk3, it used to be noisy going around right hand corners, and then quieten when going round left corners!

trust me you'll know if a wheel bearing collapses on you! if ur window is shut and your hearing a noise, then you notice everyone is looking at you, open the window and have a listen!

skypilot30 · Post by **skypilot30** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:34 pm

Thanks Spikey, to date nobody has been looking at me and after the MoT one of the garage mechanics took the car for a spin after sorting the gear selectors (which one of his mates had messed up) but he didn't make any comment about the wheel bearings so I suppose it (they) can't be that bad - or maybe he was just glad to get me off his back

SpikeyG40 · Post by **SpikeyG40** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:49 pm

my advice i think would be,

once in a while, jack each corner up and spin the wheel and listen for a rumbling noise. also check for play in the bearing by trying to move the wheel in ways it should go, i.e. one hand on the top, and one on the bottom and try and pull and push the wheel to make it rock! there should be a small amount of play there, but not excessive!

hope thats of some help!

regards
Doug

skypilot30 · Post by **skypilot30** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:32 am

Really appreciate that, Doug, thanks very much.

Don

Matty2021 · Post by **Matty2021** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:19 am

Jus so ya know though, sometimes bearing noise only comes in at like 50+ mph and starts getting louder as you get faster, like an aeroplane i guess is all i can describe the noise as, a humming noise

skypilot30 · Post by **skypilot30** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:32 pm

That could be problematic, Matty, most of my driving is done at about 30 - 40mph

Matty2021 · Post by **Matty2021** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:14 pm

Try and get it on a motorway and check it out, if theyre totally screwed youll hear them all the time at any speed, but if theyre jus goin or loose then you might only hear them at higher speeds, worth a check