[ SOLVED : Wheel bearing + housing ] 50km+ = Whine. Wheel bearings? Tires?

[anom3]

So over the last month or so, I have noticed the following:

As soon as I hit 40-50km/h I get a whine noise.

Today I had a chance to drive about 120-140km/h (140 on the express way where I live is legal btw...) on the highway.

The whine is quite audible.

A) In no way connected to PRM. I can throw it in neutral, still there.

B) The faster the car goes, the higher the pitch.

C) Appears to be coming from the right rear somewhere.

D) I _THINK_ this started when I installed my Alpin PA3's. Anyone else use these tires and have the same "speed dependent whine"?

Any ideas?

[Gr330zhp]

I have the IDENTICAL noise. Currently at 46k, same at 26k doesn't change with direction of steering and have lifted and checked for wheel bearings. All solid. I kinda ignore it now

More like a drone noise though, much like a wheel bearing

[anom3]

First thing that came to mind what wheel bearing.

For what its worth mine doesn't change with direction of turning. Although its hard to make a "sharp" turn at 50km+.

Originally Posted by Gr330zhp

I have the IDENTICAL noise. Currently at 46k, same at 26k doesn't change with direction of steering and have lifted and checked for wheel bearings. All solid. I kinda ignore it now

More like a drone noise though, much like a wheel bearing

[Gr330zhp]

Originally Posted by anom3

First thing that came to mind what wheel bearing.

For what its worth mine doesn't change with direction of turning. Although its hard to make a "sharp" turn at 50km+.

Usually even if you slightly turn the steering wheel at any speed it will change sound if its a wheel bearing and it will always make noise no matter what speed.

[anom3]

Thanks for the insight.

Doubt its the wheel bearings then as its completely not there at anything below about 40km/h.

Also I had a chance to take a couple of slightly aggressive on ramps / off ramps this evening and making the wide turn, there was no change in the whine at all. Same constant, speed dependent noise all the way thru :/

Originally Posted by Gr330zhp

Usually even if you slightly turn the steering wheel at any speed it will change sound if its a wheel bearing and it will always make noise no matter what speed.

[anom3]

Anyone know if differential whine would be present at all speeds or just certain ranges?

[Sandye90m3]

My wheel bearings are going out, and do notice a "whap whap whap" noise at 30kmh only, and if you turn the wheel one way or the other.

Then again, I have 65k miles.

[Tracyis300]

The sensors will let you know if you have a bad wheel bearing. It happened to me, and it didn't make any noise at all to warn me of such?!
It could be that one of your wheels are mounted incorrectly?
Jack it up and give them a spin to see if it wobbles?!

[anom3]

going to head into the tire shop today and have them rebalanced + remounted.

i have a feeling its actually the tires. this is the first time i noticed it really bad (last night). happens to be the first time this season i was able to reach highway speeds on completely dry pavement. reason being this is my new set of (2 months now) of winter tires.

regardless, all things point away from the wheel bearings. so either the tires or *gulp* the differential.

Originally Posted by Tracyis300

The sensors will let you know if you have a bad wheel bearing. It happened to me, and it didn't make any noise at all to warn me of such?!
It could be that one of your wheels are mounted incorrectly?
Jack it up and give them a spin to see if it wobbles?!

[anom3]

so turns out it was my left rear wheel bearing.

the service center i frequent was quite surprised to see it begin to fail at such a low milage (78K km).

getting it replaced on thursday, luckly the cost is quite low. about 100usd in parts and another 150 usd on labour.

going to have them replace both the rears as the cost is fairly low and i hear its best to do them in sets.

[anom3]

Just got it back.

Fixed. Issue was wheel baring and the housing was cracked. Had a look at the old one, quite damaged.

I didnt snap a picture of the old one, but basically the furthest "lip" that touches the wheel hub was splitting off. It was also quite rusted.

Good thing I had it done right away as I cant imagine what could have happened at highway speeds..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by anom3

Just got it back.

Fixed. Issue was wheel baring and the housing was cracked. Had a look at the old one, quite damaged.

I didnt snap a picture of the old one, but basically the furthest "lip" that touches the wheel hub was splitting off. It was also quite rusted.

Good thing I had it done right away as I cant imagine what could have happened at highway speeds..

Maybe too much road salt over the years ?

[anom3]

Possible, I am at least 3rd owner.

Judging by the condition of the wheel bearing housing, the mechanic guessed this happened quite a white ago, but recently I probably drove over a big hole (I did, about 4 months ago) and it then started making the noise because the impact damaged it even more.

Also as an added bonus : Before this fix, the car would pull to the left a little bit when ever I would down shift. Nothing major, but every time I would downshift I could feel it pull to the left a tiny bit. This is now gone too.

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Maybe too much road salt over the years ?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by anom3

Possible, I am at least 3rd owner.

Judging by the condition of the wheel bearing housing, the mechanic guessed this happened quite a white ago, but recently I probably drove over a big hole (I did, about 4 months ago) and it then started making the noise because the impact damaged it even more.

Also as an added bonus : Before this fix, the car would pull to the left a little bit when ever I would down shift. Nothing major, but every time I would downshift I could feel it pull to the left a tiny bit. This is now gone too.

Good to hear that , and so the problem solved !

[BzsBimmer]

Even better, the OP updated the thread with the fix!
Glad you got it sorted out.