Wheel bearing ...... or what?

[andynpz]

Neighbour's 16 reg, E220d, cabriolet, 15000m makes very annoying wow . wow . wow noise, especially noticeable at about 30mph. Seems louder inside car, probably front. It's a heterodyning sound (like a twin propellor aircraft with engines at slightly different rpm).

Cøuld it be a wheel bearing on such a young car?

I have asked him to check if he has staggered wheels and if so, are they correctly fitted - have known 2 wider wheels on one side after careless fitter been at work!!!

Any one else experienced this or is there a known problem?

Cheers, Andy

 

[Yugguy]

Does it do it more when hot than cold?

 

[LostKiwi]

What tyres does it have? V patterned tyres half worn can get very noisy...

 

[om613]

A NO from me to worn wheel bearings on a 16 plate.

What about ... flapping under trays?

A few spire nuts AWOL will cause that.

 

[John Laidlaw]

I’m with tyres..
As LK V patterns can hum, as can some brands part worn, e.g. Bridgestone
Ive even seen directional tyres fitted incorrectly and running against rotation....

 

[Arudge]

Wheel bearings are mass produced and are not exactly the high precision items people expect.

Jack each wheel up one at a time, spin the wheel using the wheel brace on a nut as fast as you can. Somebody else sat in the car will soon hear the drone if you have a bearing kicking off.

If that doesn't give a result. I'll go with tyres.

 

[andynpz]

Thanks chaps, Dealer has blamed low profile tyres, but has not committed to fixing the problem despite car in guarantee period. Would have been easy for them to eliminate (or not) the wheel bearings with a four post lift. Will post the answer if we ever cure the noise!!!

 

[Arudge]

. Would have been easy for them to eliminate (or not) the wheel bearings with a four post lift. Will post the answer if we ever cure the noise!!!

More likely he didn't want to find a dead wheel bearing.

Do let us know if you ever get to the bottom of the noise.

 

[star]

It’s very common for certain tyres to drone at 20-30mph.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Loads of tyres in fact!

 

[Arudge]

I chose my new tyres primarily on noise rating. But the fact remains that IF it's a wheel bearing then the vendor is liable.

 

[LostKiwi]

If you have access to a laser / infrared thermometer take the car for a long motorway run. A bad wheel bearing will be hotter than the rest.

 

[Wighty]

If you haven't got a thermometer , touch the wheel center after a long run , the more severe the burn to your fingers will narrow down which wheel bearing maybe at fault

 

[ajlsl600]

wheel bearings clean and packed in correct grease and correctly adjusted last a LONG time, do not overpack ,seems bizare but overpacking retains heat .i cant remember the last time i changed mine it was i think A class just after i bought it 6,7 yr ago as i did not know the condition .as said a run and put yr finger on wheel centre heat difference a good clue as is slow sharp cornering in an empty car par, and indeed jacking the car up and giving the wheels a spin . sometimes rust build up on disc can give the impression of a bearing faulure .

 

[andynpz]

Does it do it more when hot than cold?

No. Nor the other way round. Just there all the time

What tyres does it have? V patterned tyres half worn can get very noisy...

Front. Very worn Contisport Contact - 235/35 ZR19 - Rear. Fairly recently replaced ditto R 255/30 ZR19

A NO from me to worn wheel bearings on a 16 plate.

What about ... flapping under trays?

A few spire nuts AWOL will cause that.

Look and feel OK from the sides

Wheel bearings are mass produced and are not exactly the high precision items people expect.

Jack each wheel up one at a time, spin the wheel using the wheel brace on a nut as fast as you can. Somebody else sat in the car will soon hear the drone if you have a bearing kicking off.

If that doesn't give a result. I'll go with tyres.

Neighbour not enough of an enthusiast to spend a Sunday under his car - Nor am I, I'd do my own car but not someone else's!!
I'm inclining to the view that it is the tyres. I'll ask him to report situation after new fronts fitted. Thanks again to all for so much interest and good advice

 

[John Laidlaw]

Front Conti’s look the culprits to me.....