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Wheel bearing?

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mystery fang Learner Dubber

18 posts · joined Dec 2012 ·

#955330
Ok brains trust any info would be greatly appreciated on this one.
Driving my beetle on the highway the other day I heard a massive whirring sound (like a single engined aircraft) lasted for about 2-3 seconds then, same thing again a few miles down the road.Car felt slightly loose (not sure if thats in my head or not though).

Jacked it up this morning wheels on the right hand side are fine,on the left the wheels move slightly when I have a hand on the top and bottom and give it a jiggle.

When I spin the wheels they do spin but they grab at certain points.So does this sound like my wheel bearings need replacing or am I in need of a brake adjustment? or something else completely...

Drums all round and the car has been lowered front and rear with slight negative camber on the rear.
cheers Mitch 🤪
67 Beetle Type1contingent

DakDak67 Officially Full-On Dubber

208 posts · joined Sep 2011 ·

#955334
Pull the hub off and have a look, there is nothing else to do in this case. Check the other side while you have your hands dirty.

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·

#955338
If it is the front wheel do not wait to remove the wheel and check it out , I have seen the inner race sieze to the stub axel and then you have to replace the spindle, if it is the bearing causing the wheel grab it could mean the roller/balls might not be have there correct shape anymore. has the car been driven through any water ?.

mystery fang Learner Dubber

18 posts · joined Dec 2012 ·

#955355
No I haven't driven through any water but the car does live outside.Haven't pulled a hub off before,easy? Do I need a torque wrench for putting it back on? And what exactly should I be looking for?
cheers still learning 😵‍💫
67 Beetle Type1contingent

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·

#955361
You should really have a manual, what model is the beetle, if it is early you will need a special thin spanner to undo the wheel bearing nuts, later one use a allen key bolt to tighten a split nut, it might pay to have a mechanic look at it.

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#955435
Don't leave it too long, or it could seize on the stub axle, heat it up, and break it off, allowing the wheel and brakes to come off - in this case at over 100kph. At least being at night, the shower of sparks from the road was very pretty.

From your ole' mate Jeff

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#956355
mystery fang wrote:Ok brains trust any info would be greatly appreciated on this one.
Driving my beetle on the highway the other day I heard a massive whirring sound (like a single engined aircraft) lasted for about 2-3 seconds then, same thing again a few miles down the road.Car felt slightly loose (not sure if thats in my head or not though).

Jacked it up this morning wheels on the right hand side are fine,on the left the wheels move slightly when I have a hand on the top and bottom and give it a jiggle.

When I spin the wheels they do spin but they grab at certain points.So does this sound like my wheel bearings need replacing or am I in need of a brake adjustment? or something else completely...

Drums all round and the car has been lowered front and rear with slight negative camber on the rear.
cheers Mitch 🤪
How did You go Mitch??

anyone closeby maybe have a look for You..

Serious problem..

Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

mystery fang Learner Dubber

18 posts · joined Dec 2012 ·

#956678
Cheers guys,ended up being wheel bearings.All sorted now👍
67 Beetle Type1contingent