Wheel bearing issue

[gerlad]

Hi, a bit of advice on this please. Do wheel bearings go all of a sudden? Cars running fine but heard a grating noise when turning right from front d/s front wheel. Thought initially it was to do with power steering but that’s working fine and turning the wheel at standstill doesn’t make any noise and it’s operating smoothly. I assume it’s a rotational noise and I’ll find out when I Jack it up and spin the wheel. Does anyone have an idea of costs as I’m assuming it’s just a bearing that I see that I can get for circa 50 quid? Hopefully the hub itself is ok and a new bearing just needs to be pressed in. Any comments gratefully received!

 

[Danny]

Does it concern a 3200? You may want to check if your brake duct is still tightly fit. I had mine come loose many years ago and it produced the same symptoms like you describe.

 

[gerlad]

Hi Danny, thanks I’ll check. Sorry forgot to say mines a 4200 so it could be as you say a brake duct issue.

 

[spkennyuk]

Hi Danny, thanks I’ll check. Sorry forgot to say mines a 4200 so it could be as you say a brake duct issue.

On the 4200 /GS If the bearing had gone then the abs light would normally be on as well as the hub, bearing and abs sensor is all one unit. The bearing itself is a common part but attempts to remove and fit a new bearing only have always failed in the past.

The 3200s use a different phonic ring system for the abs sensors.

A small amount of play in the bearing will usually trigger the ABS light before you hear any evidence of a failing or worn bearing.

Are the gaitors intact on the steering rack ? Worth checking the boots to make sure there is no dirt ingress causing the grating noise.

 

[gerlad]

On the 4200 /GS If the bearing had gone then the abs light would normally be on as well as the hub, bearing and abs sensor is all one unit. The bearing itself is a common part but attempts to remove and fit a new bearing only have always failed in the past.

The 3200s use a different phonic ring system for the abs sensors.

A small amount of play in the bearing will usually trigger the ABS light before you hear any evidence of a failing or worn bearing.

Are the gaitors intact on the steering rack ? Worth checking the boots to make sure there is no dirt ingress causing the grating noise.

Hi and thanks for the info. Abs light hasn’t come on fortunately. I’ll check the gaitors but it shouldn’t be them as I had them changed at the last MoT Oct 22. Fingers crossed it’s just the bearing but as you say changing it may cause it’s own problems!

 

[gerlad]

A few more investigation revealed that the p/S fluid was low and that was making the pump and rack make all the noise. Originally when I was turning lock to lock there was no noise but boy did it make it this afternoon. 150 ml of fluid did the job and problem solved. The problem with the reservoir is the metal plate that I thought was the fluid surface. Lessoned learned but felt a bit of an idiot!

 

[spkennyuk]

A few more investigation revealed that the p/S fluid was low and that was making the pump and rack make all the noise. Originally when I was turning lock to lock there was no noise but boy did it make it this afternoon. 150 ml of fluid did the job and problem solved. The problem with the reservoir is the metal plate that I thought was the fluid surface. Lessoned learned but felt a bit of an idiot!

Check your not losing power steering fluid from the cooler that sits at the front of the radiator pack. They are known to perish and leak. Its the long thin cooler you can see through the grill with a torch. Just a basic long U shape with fins and around 3 inches in height.

If its only leaking a bit at the moment then you may not see any drips as it will collect on the undertray.

Marios at Autoshield Manchester usually has them in stock if needed for an upgraded part.

 

[conaero]

Also pull the steering gaiters off, the rack seals go and fill the gaiters up. It’s quite common these days.