Miles with growling noise sounding like wheel bearings

Tiny
WOBBLY
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CITROEN BERLINGO
  • 170,000 MILES
Growling noise sounds like either wheel bearings or gearbox. Both front wheel bearings and drive shafts been changed. Noise has got louder over time;gets louder when warmed up. Noise seems to alter with cornering, less on nearside. Gearbox works fine but could this be the differential or gearbox bearings? Noise continues whether wheels being driven or engine de-clutched or coasting in neutral.
Friday, March 2nd, 2012 AT 12:17 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
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How long ago were the front wheel bearings replaced?
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 AT 4:42 AM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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Both front bearings replaced within 500 miles as well as driveshafts
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
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Any chance it's the rear?
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Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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Hi there! Thanks for getting back to me.
There is no noise from the rear; all wheels turn free with no rumble. This grumbling noise has got gradually worse over last few months.I replaced nearside front bearings twice even though there was no scoring on races or balls and no difference in noise level. There is very slight play in this bearing even though it's seated OK and axle nut torqued correctly. There should be no play though. Hope this problem doesn't give you guys the same headache its giving me !
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Sunday, March 4th, 2012 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
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What about raising each wheel separately and running in place to find culprit?
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Sunday, March 4th, 2012 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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I have checked each raised wheel. All spin free with no rumble. Each raised front wheel has been driven in gear with no grinding. Nearside does have slight amount of play but spins smoothly. This noise is definitely getting worse cruising lightly on a good smooth road its as loud as the engine. This trouble started before Christmas. The nearside front bearing was changed although it showed no sign of play or wear. The present nearside bearing was fitted correctly with the big circlip in the swivel hub seated correctly Could it not be gearbox bearings? Can feel vibration in footwell on both sides. Think I'll just go and shout at the wife
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Monday, March 5th, 2012 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
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So there is no indication of the noise while in car on any wheel raised and operated? I mean I would think a trans bearing would still be noisy even if not moving if trans is operating?
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Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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Hi again! Have raised alternate front wheels and there doesn't appear to be any differential/trans axle noise and similarly with both wheels raised whether in or out of gear. Its got me beat !
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Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
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They do sell/rent suspension microphone devices that are designed to locate noises.
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Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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Right. Good idea I will get on to that and keep you posted.
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
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2 things stand out as clues to me. The fact that 1 wheel bearing is loose, and the sound modifys in a turn. These sound related. Most bad wheel bearings change tune in a turn. And a loose bearing could be noisy. I had 1 that was loose which I thought was bad so never checked it. If I had re tightened right away I may have saved it.
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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Yes.I agree but the loose bearing has been changed twice! And both times shown play only after being refitted. Drive shafts have been changed and offside bearing shows no play.I am replacing hub with a good second hand part. So will see what that does. That noise is still there and getting gradually worse when driven on road and I would swear it to be wheel bearing.. Many thanks for all your help. Cheers!
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
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Wheel bearing issues should show up during testing with the wheels off the ground. Raise the wheels and spin the tires while running your hand across the tread. It should be pretty smooth, with no really noticeable high or low spots. If you notice high and low spots, you most likely have a shock problem that has become a tire wear issue.
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Saturday, March 24th, 2012 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
WOBBLY
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You Guys are spot on ! It was a wheel bearing. You saved me so much hassle. Many thanks for all your sound advice. WOBBLY
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Thursday, May 17th, 2012 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
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Happy to be able to help.

Closing thread.
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Friday, May 18th, 2012 AT 2:20 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
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Ok. The server isn't wanting to close the thread. It still shows pending for me. If nobody replies, hopefully the server will close it.
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Friday, July 20th, 2012 AT 1:47 AM

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