wheel bearings

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 27 Jul 2012, 10:50 am

#914711

What's the most reliable way to determine if a bearing is on the way out, I suspect that I have a bearing going and I suspect it's in the front, I've dropped the wheels off and spun the discs but all seems fine but I get a sort of slight rumbling feel when under way on the road, car is a bit loud to hear anything but with Valla coming up I want to be as sure as I can that all is good. While typing this a thought popped into my head, maybe the hub will feel a bit hot if it's a crook bearing?
Ideas please.

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 27 Jul 2012, 3:44 pm

#914739

it would pay to take the hub of and visually inspect the bearing for wear.

Bob down Wolfsburg Wizard

455 posts · joined Jan 2012 · 27 Jul 2012, 6:38 pm

#914768

was always told a good sign bearing was going, was if the rim was warm to touch after travelling at speed for a fair distance. but im definately no expert.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Jul 2012, 7:46 pm

#914791

going bearing rumbles and generates plenty of heat so grease cap will be hot to the touch.

With wheel on but jacked up spin the wheel and it won't spin freely for very long and will sound rough.

Once you've taken the disc off roll the roller taper bearing with a thumb to see how smooth they roll and then clean grease off and look at the inner bearing surface. It won't look smooth and evenly coloured if worn.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 27 Jul 2012, 8:19 pm

#914806

I don't agree with the 'plenty of heat' as a RELIABLE diagnosis. If there is heat the bearing is kangarooted. "reliable diagnosis" is the dificulty as I believe there is a necessary experence required to diagnose a problem wheel bearing. Best advice I can give is the wheel when jacked up should spin perfectly smoothly and absolutely quiet with no noise, rumble or vibration. Also should have no play and no preload on the thrust washers for front tapered rollers. IRS and swing rears can have a slight amount of play and still be ok, moreso with irs with the parellel roller being the bigger culprit.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 27 Jul 2012, 8:29 pm

#914811

Decided that for $30 it's not worth the chance, I don't have a gauge to measure the play so tightened it up and then backed it off till it spins freely but no play, hope that works, should be alright for the Valla trip.
Thanks for the help fellas, as usual you have been tops.

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 27 Jul 2012, 8:38 pm

#914819

Matty glad that doesn't include a blue car I know with wheels spinning perfectly 😉 🙄
😂

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

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Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

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psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Jul 2012, 9:37 pm

#914830

matberry wrote:I don't agree with the 'plenty of heat' as a RELIABLE diagnosis. If there is heat the bearing is kangarooted. "reliable diagnosis" is the dificulty as I believe there is a necessary experence required to diagnose a problem wheel bearing. Best advice I can give is the wheel when jacked up should spin perfectly smoothly and absolutely quiet with no noise, rumble or vibration. Also should have no play and no preload on the thrust washers for front tapered rollers. IRS and swing rears can have a slight amount of play and still be ok, moreso with irs with the parellel roller being the bigger culprit.

Thats what I meant. Plenty of heat means the bearing is buggered. I presumed whoever read that would realise that a build up of heat means a serious problem.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 27 Jul 2012, 10:03 pm

#914832

h wrote:Matty glad that doesn't include a blue car I know with wheels spinning perfectly 😉 🙄
😂

That's all better now with a master cylinder replacement a little while ago, if that's what your suggesting h? 😉

psimitar wrote:Thats what I meant. Plenty of heat means the bearing is buggered. I presumed whoever read that would realise that a build up of heat means a serious problem.

Fair enough, but also the brakes are going to influence the temperature in a big way and need to be taken into consideration

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 27 Jul 2012, 11:13 pm

#914841

matberry wrote:
h wrote:Matty glad that doesn't include a blue car I know with wheels spinning perfectly 😉 🙄
😂
That's all better now with a master cylinder replacement a little while ago, if that's what your suggesting h? 😉

erm no
front lhs spinning not so freely last thurs eve n we all pointed and went what tha 😂

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 27 Jul 2012, 11:13 pm

#914842

matberry wrote:
h wrote:Matty glad that doesn't include a blue car I know with wheels spinning perfectly 😉 🙄
😂
That's all better now with a master cylinder replacement a little while ago, if that's what your suggesting h? 😉

psimitar wrote:Thats what I meant. Plenty of heat means the bearing is buggered. I presumed whoever read that would realise that a build up of heat means a serious problem.
Fair enough, but also the brakes are going to influence the temperature in a big way and need to be taken into consideration

True, but then maybe my experience lets me tell the difference between more localised heat from the bearing compared to latent heat from the brakes. Lets just say that when I've heard a grumble and done the heat test it's far warmer than it should be from normal use of the brakes 🙂

As you know, experience is hard to pass on via the internet 😀

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍